WORLD INLINE CUP - Official Marathon Roller Series of FIRS

Additional Race for the World Inline Cup:
Jeonju International Inline Marathon joins WIC

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:56:00 +0100

Zurich/Seoul, 27 January 2012: The Jeonju Roller Sports Federation, ESA_sports and the WIC Organization have signed a 3-year-contract to include the traditional Jeonju International Inline Marathon into the world's top-tier Inline Skating series. The best athletes from all around the globe will compete for a prize money of more than 20'000 US$ on the Sunday following this year's World Championships in Italy.

"We are more than happy, that together with ESA_sports, being our longtime partner for South Korea, we were able to cater the wish of the organizers in Jeonju to include their famous event into the World Inline Cup," says WIC CEO Hinnerk Femerling. The race is now listed in the WIC TOP Class category and the winner will take 180 points on the way to the 2012 World Inline Cup Championship.

The 2012 WIC Calendar has already secured stops in 5 countries around the globe with negotiations still pending in China, Thailand, Spain and Switzerland.

13.05.12   WIC C1 - Rennes - France
20.05.12   WIC TC - Incheon - Korea
10.06.12   WIC C1 - Dijon - France
16.06.12   WIC C1 - Ostrava - Czech Republic
26.08.12   WIC C1 - Gdansk - Poland
16.09.12   WIC TC - Jeonju - Korea

A Story Beyond the Success of IDEEprint-EOSKATES

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:29:00 +0100

Zurich, 6 December 2011: Patrik Gr�tzer says, he is �really very satisfied� with the results of his IDEEprint-EOSKATES team in 2011 and he has good reasons to be: best team in the World Inline Cup overall ranking, M�lissa Chouleysko 2nd and Renata Karabova 3rd in the Women�s individual standings. Already after the first full season the Swiss Inline Skating squad has left the competition behind.

Being fascinated by the sport for years and participating in competitions himself, Patrik decided to �having his own team� after starting his personal business with the IDEEprint company. His team was �IDEEprint-X-tech� in 2008 before he met with Daniel Busser of EOSKATES in Berlin September 2010. They joined forces and found strong athletes from France, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland and Italia to set-up a new group.

In 2011 it was mainly the two 24 year old M�lissa Chouleysko and Renata Karabova who led the team through the season and accounted 789 of the total 890 points that made IDEEprint-EOSKATES the World Inline Cup Women Team Champions. Being on top of the world needs a lot of sacrifices in a sport that has not the same public awareness as soccer or formula 1 racing.

M�lissa does not like the word �sacrifice� though as she says that she does all of this because she really likes it and in winter there are times when she gives priority to recharging her batteries by spending more time with family and friend(s) at home in France. And they are paying back: her boyfriend does not only support her by understanding that there is not so much time in-between M�lissa�s job, practice and the competitions, but as well by riding the bike when she is on skates going for long distances.

Being a university student it seems as if Renata�s schedule is not as packed as, but with developing her own juniors inline skating team at home in Slovakia there is no time to be bored. In exchange seeing how the kids improve makes her more than happy. In winter Renata fuels as well her career on ice. It started with Hockey when she was 13 and shortly after she had the opportunity to try short track. She took part in several Junior World Championships, the World Cup and the Seniors European Championship. Renata is one of the few racers, who took part in the World Cup of ice short track, long track, and inline skating.

Still both of them are not considering themselves being full professionals although they need to dedicate as much time to the sport to be competitive. So it is the passion for the inline sport that motivates them to pull out their best. Renata likes relays and hates running practices whereas M�lissa prefers endurance races over sprinting to get there. Competing with the world�s best is an important goal, but all the team likes as well the chance to see the world. Visiting countries like China, Korea and Venezuela plus meeting people from all corners on the globe remains an exciting part of the package.

So what are the plans for 2012? Renata shared with us that she would like to attend her first World Champions after 2008 in Gijon. But the main goal with the IDEEprint-EOSKATES team is to repeat winning the World Inline Cup. Daniel Busser will be the manager and Patrik Gr�tzer concentrating on the coaching. The girls are going to give their best to make it happen for sure. And they will enjoy every inch of it. The joint fervour for Inline Skating is a strong common basis for this old and new endeavour.

Scott Arlidge and Yang He Zhen win in Haining - Nicole Begg and Severin Widmer are World Inline Cup Champions 2011

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:04:00 +0200

Haining 05 October 2011: Scott Arlidge (Powerslide Matter World, NZL) has won the men's WIC Grand Prix in a photo finish ahead of Severin Widmer (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI). Yann GUYADER (Powerslide Matter World, FRA) led the sprint of the pack to complete the podium. In the women's Race YANG He Zhen (TWA) overpowered Guan Ying Rong (TWA) and Guo Dan (CHN) by less than a skate to take home the victory.

The ladies had experienced an all-tactical race until the final sprint, which left World Inline Cup Ranking Leader Nicole Begg (X-tech MPC-International, NZL) back in the field. Not being fully recovered from a cold she could not breath properly. But with Renata Karabova (IDEEprint-EOSKATES, SVK) and Melissa Chouleysko (IDEEprint-EOSKATES, FRA) coming in only two spots in front of her, she managed to seal her first World Inline Cup Championship as the best skater of combined 7 events this season.

On the men�s side the many spectators in Haining saw some more speed throughout the competition with lots of small attacks from various skaters. 5 km before the finish Severin Widmer and Scott Alridge managed to significantly break-away from the pack. �I am � like everybody � tiered at the end of the season, so I did not expect too much before the race. Now I am even more happy to win in Haining. I knew that if I can be in the leading group until the end there is a good chance in the final sprint,� Scott said after the race. And this is how it came out after 42 km: with the last four or five steps he secured the biggest share of the 30�000 USD in Prize Money and raised his arms crossing the finish line.

Severin Widmer was not too unhappy with being second, though, as this still lifted him on top of the World Inline Cup season end ranking as teammate Nicolas Iten (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) �only� finished 6th. The Swiss-Skate-Team won as well the men�s season team score, while on the women�s side this trophy will go to IDEEprint-EOSKATES.

Results WIC Grand Prix in Haining 2011

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:47:00 +0200

Men
1. Scott ARLIDGE (Powerslide Matter World, NZL) 1:03:02.227
2. Severin WIDMER (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) 1:03:02.737
3. Yann GUYADER (Powerslide Matter World, FRA) 1:03:49.150

Women
1. YANG He Zhen (TWN) 1:24:39.878
2. GUAN Ying Rong (TWN) 1:24:39.912
3. GUO Dan (CHN) 1:24:39.917

WIC Grand Prix in Haining starts at 9:00 a.m. local time

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:36:00 +0200

The starting time of the men's race in Haining tomorrow (5 October 2011) has been finally fixed for 9:00 a.m. The ladies will start 2 minutes later to go for 7 laps of 6 km each.

Nicole Begg and Nicolas Iten on the Way to their first World Inline Cup Championship in Haining

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:09:00 +0200

Haining, 03 October 2011: Nicole Begg (X-tech MPC-International, NZL) and Nicolas Iten (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) are on the way to win their first World Inline Cup Championship when they are starting at the WIC Grand Prix in Haining (China) on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. local time. They are both leading the 2011 World Inline Cup Ranking after the first 6 of 7 events.

While Nicole on the women's side is enjoying a quite big lead ahead of Renata Karabova (IDEEprint-EOSKATES, SVK) and Melissa Chouleysko (IDEEprint-EOSKATES, FRA) which leaves her runner-ups with rather mathematical chances to still change the picture, Nicolas' winning margin is only some 23 points over team mate Severin Widmer (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) and another 41 points to last year's champion Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World, FRA) before the last leg of the tour.

"I'm going to Haining to win the race," says Yann and with the winner making 240 points it most likely will be a thrilling show down of the two top teams of the 2011 season. Powerslide Matter World and the Swiss-Skate-Team have dominated the men's series and it will be all about how they can support their aces in the critical phase of the year. For European Inline Skating Marathon Champion Yann Guyader on top of realising a position in front of the pack it will be necessary to keep his team in-between him and last event's winner Nicolas Iten to fill the gap in the ranking and complete the repeat.

But apart from the hunt for another title, Yann is just looking forward to Wednesday morning: "It's going to be a nice race, on a new course with the Swiss guys for the last event of the world inline circus." The 30'000 USD of prize money make the showdown in the Chinese leather-city the biggest purse of the global Inline Skating season. The marathon is the peak of the Haining Inline Festival that show's top sport and mass participating all week.

Lech Walesa Follows the Podium Sweep of the Swiss-Skate-Team - Giovanna Turchiarelli Repeats Season Opener Victory

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:42:00 +0200

Gdansk, 29 August 2011: Giovanna Turchiarelli (Allesi World, ITA) and Nicolas Iten (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) are the winners of the third edition of the Lech Walesa August Marathon in Gdansk. Poland's President had officially opened the event that is part of the initiative "Wheels, wheels - one company" to allow the use of bicycle paths with roller skates.

600 Athletes from 16 countries participated in the last but second race of this year's World Inline Cup that will see its grand finale in China at the beginning of October. The new course proved to be pretty fast, but strong winds hampered the international top athletes as much as the many fitness skaters that joined for a half marathon.

Last year's World Inline Cup Champion Giovanna Turchiarell secured her second victory in 2011 with Roberta Casu (IDEEprint-EOSKATES, ITA) and Aleksandra Goss - being the best home country skater - completing the podium. In the men's competition it was once more an All-Swiss affaire with Nicolas Iten on top followed by Severin Widmer (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) and Michael Achermann (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI). The best Polish athlete - Daniel Gwadera - came in on seventh place. With his win in Gdansk Nicolas Iten is the new leader in the men's World Inline Cup ranking putting pressure on Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World, FRA) that only has one chance left to fight back at the WIC Grand Prix in Haining.

Result WIC Gdansk 2011

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:22:00 +0200

Women:
1. Turchiarelli, Giovanna (ITA) Alessi World 01:14:51,00;
2. Casu, Roberta (ITA) Ideeprint -Eoskates 01:14:52,79;
3. Goss, Aleksandra (POL) 01:14:55,87

Men:
1. Iten, Nicolas (SUI) Swiss Skate Team 01:04:07,53;
2. Widmer, Severin (SUI) Swiss Skate Team 01:04:07,61;
3. Achermann, Michael (SUI) Swiss Skate Team 01:04:07,73

Ostrava celebrates Nicole Begg and Severin Widmer

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 19:44:00 +0200

Ostrava, 18 June 2011: Nicole Begg (NZL) and Severin Widmer (SUI) have reached a victory in the main World Inline Cup races of Ostrava�s in-line skating festival under the cloudy sky with more than 1�500 participants during Friday�s evening free ride and Saturday�s race program with crowds of spectators.

In the women's 33 km race it has been a battle of the three leading ladies in the WIC ranking, Nicole Begg (X-techMPC-International, NZL), Melissa Chouleysko (IDEE print-EOSKATES, FRA) and Renata Karabova (IDEE print-EOSKATES, SVK), against Czech representative in short track Katerina Novotna (6th at 2006 Olympics Games in Torino and European Champion 2010). They left the rest of racers in the 2nd of 11 laps and presented a tactical racing. The strongest looking Begg and Novotn� left behind Karabov� at 3rd lap and Chouleysko at 7th lap.

More successful has been Begg, she decided about her victory at the strong finish. �I know about the quality of Katerina, that is why I was not too active � I believed in my sprint,� stated Nicole Begg.

�I'm very satisfied with 2nd place, it has been a nice race and good practise for my ice skating. I beat second and third best racers in the WIC ranking, it's a good result. But I would have prefered more active racing from the side of my competitors,� said Katerina Novotna.

Men�s WIC race on the same 33 km attractive track on the main streets of Ostrava-Poruba has resulted to a great triumph for the strong Swiss-Skate-Team. The Swiss skaters led the 111 racers from the start. At lap no. 4 a strong group of 14 racers started their turbo speed, and at lap 5 Achermann decided to break-away. He forged the lead to 20 seconds in front of the group with Santamaria, Iten, Acosta, Bastidas, Dias, Michael, Widmer, Ulreich, Moreno, Marreiros and Czechs Krupka, Such� and Adam Adlt, and when he was hunted down, his teammate Widmer attacked strongly. His lead was 30 seconds in the 9th lap and 45 in lap 10.

Widmer celebrated his solo victory already on the final straighjt while other racers had to fight strongly at finish. The sprint of the pursuers was won by Peter Michael (X-tech MPC-International, NZL) followed by Nicolas Iten (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI).

Quotes: �Our team controlled the whole race, it was very tactical from our side. I have reached my 4th victory in the WIC series, I'm very satisfied,� said the winner from Oberg�sgen in Switzerland.
�I have had no chance to do more without support of team, I'm satisfied. The track in Ostrava is very nice and good for my finish,� stated Peter Michael, the second man of the race.

Results WIC Ostrava

Ladies:
1. Nicole Begg (X-tech MPC-International, NZL) 1:01:26,145
2. Katerina Novotna (KSB Benatky, CZE) 1:01:26,744
3. Melissa Chouleysko (IDEE print-EOSKATES, FRA) 1:01:40,033

Men:
1. Severin Widmer (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) 51:49,248
2. Peter Michael (X-tech MPC-International, NZL) 52:40,581
3. Nicolas Iten (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) 52:40,771

Ostrava � Sportive City

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:55:00 +0200

Ostrava is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and has the third largest population. It has got a very advantageous strategic position - it is located about 10 kilometres south of the Polish border and 50 kilometres west of the Slovak border. The distance from Ostrava to Prague is 360 km, to Brno 170 km, to the Polish City of Katowice 90 km, and to Vienna 310 km.

Ostrava offers not only sport but a lot of cultural and social events, too � to the most popular ones belongs the music festival Colours of Ostrava, visited every July by thousands of spectators. The centre of music and entertainment is the Stodoln� Street with its almost 70 clubs.

Ostrava is a very sportive city. Sport grounds, swimming pools, play grounds, and courts offer to the City residents and visitors varied opportunities for their relaxation and leisure. The International Track and Field Meeting - the Golden Spike - classified in the category Super Grand Prix, traditionally attended by the best world athletes, takes place every year in the Municipal Stadium in Ostrava-V�tkovice.

Ostrava is now proud to be again a host of WIC 2011 series, with CHANCE LifeInLine Tour background. www.ostrava.cz.

Official hotel in Ostrava: Park Inn

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:45:00 +0200

Park Inn hotel Ostrava, an official hotel of CHANCE WIC Ostrava, offers friendly and pleasant atmosphere to business and leisure guests. And also offers a special price for WIC Marathon registered participants.

It is located in heart of Ostrava close to interesting sights and landmarks such the Silesian Ostrava Castle and the bustling Stodolni street with many bars and restaurants.

Park Inn Ostrava is the first internationally branded four-star hotel with 185 rooms and junior suites designed to meet the colourful Park Inn brand standards. Hotel offers wireless High Speed Internet access through whole hotel , Business corner, modern lobby bar, 24-hour room service, six meeting rooms, ample outdoor car parking, wellness and fitness centre with steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, relax zone and state-of-the-art cardio equipment. Restaurant Bamboo offers tempting international and national cousine.

http://www.parkinn.com/hotel-ostrava

First 2011 Victory for Nicole Begg

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:22:00 +0200

Dijon, 12 June 2011: A solo break-away was the key to the race for the women's World Inline Cup leader Nicole Begg (X-techMPC-International, NZL). After being caught on the final meters in the first three races this season it seemed to be the "safest" way to cross the finish line first and keep all the points. 1:40 min. after Begg Justine and Clemence Halbout (FRA) completed the podium.

In the men's competition a group of nine athletes led by Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World , FRA) already separated from the pack after 7.5 km. Sharing the work to lead the train they kept the speed high to be 1:22 min. ahead of the "peloton" after 13 of 19 rounds. From round 14 Guyader, Michael Achermann (Swiss-Skate-Team, SUI) and Bart SWINGS (CadoMotusWorld, BEL) launched some attacks to prepare the decision until Swings and Guyader were successful with 6.5 km to go.

Like in Rennes Swings surprised Guyader with an early sprint around 600 m from the finish and although Guyader managed to narrow the gap he finally could not overtake the Belgian. It was the second win of Bart Swings in his second appearance on the World Inline Cup 2011 that is still led by Yann Guyader before it continues next week with the next race in Ostrava on 18 June.