WORLD INLINE CUP - Official Marathon Roller Series of FIRS

Newsletter No. 02 / 2010

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:42:00 +0100

Crisis?
The economic environment is still challenging, the recovery slow. Many of our sponsors, partners and event organizers have suffered and have been forced to take countermeasures. In spite of all difficulties we � together with our friends - have succeeded in drawing up a truly global and unique race calendar for 2010. The sense of excitement about the future of the WIC is greater than ever. The whole team together with our friends all over the world really live for this sport, its team spirit and fair play, and they will do everything possible for the inline community. Look at our websites: there is plenty of information, news, rules, photos and sometimes a bit tittle-tattle. Write us what you think, post your blog � our desire is to be an open platform for the scene!

Since this year the race calendar is published not only on the respective sites of the Swiss Inline Cup, the German Inline Cup and, of course the World Inline Cup, but in Facebook as well, the most important community site in the worldwide web, There we have created a fast growing group called �World Inline Cup�, which already has more than 800 members.. Log in and you will have the most current information on your personal facebook account. Thus you don�t have to look out for information but will receive it directly on your computer, mobile or smartphone. Of course our newsletter will still remain the official communication means, but since it is published periodically, you can stay tuned much quicker through our continuous updates on the WIC homepage or through our facebook group.

Here are the latest information about the race calendar and certain alterations:

- Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) will open the season as a TOP CLASS race from 1 to 4 April
- Geisingen (GER) celebrates a spectacular opening of one of the most beautiful inline race tracks as a WIC race on 17 and 18 April
- Ferrara (ITA) will organize again a WIC race in Italy after some years
- Berne (CH), the Swiss capital, will replace Zurich with a WIC top class race

- Gdansk (POL) will be our 2nd WIC station in Eastern Europe along with Ostrava
- In Chuncheon (KOR) the World Leisure Games take place, a spectacular celebration of world sports, and present a WIC top class race as the final event of the games
- Berlin (GER) the biggest inline event in Europe will be the final WIC stop in Europe
- Eindhoven (NED) presents a TOP CLASS event in Holland after a two years break (tbd)
- Buenos Aires (ARG) will commemorate its 200 years of independence together with the WIC and a TOP CLASS race
- Margarita (VEN) will celebrate again the end of season with an unforgettable party

We have further exciting news for you: In 2010, a select number of track races will be organized during WIC event weekends. Track competitions with their own ranking system will take place in Cartagena, Geisingen, Ferrara, Weinfelden, Pamplona, Zug and Buenos Aires.

All in all the 2010 calendar comprises 18 WIC races, whereof 11 TOP CLASS and 7 Class 1 races. Our events spread over three continents and twelve countries, and offer spectacular events and a World Inline Cup season that is unprecedented.

Registration
Even in the virtual world the World Inline Cup cannot do without a certain paperwork. But no fear, we try to make it as simple as possible for you. Questions about organizational issues, fees, team size, amenities, alternatives for team and single licences have occurred. This is why we want to give you some further information below.
Due to the current financial and economical situation, every enterprise and private person has to save money and reduce costs. This is a must and also applies to the inline industry as well as to the teams, the sponsors and the promoters. On the other hand, IGUANA continues to invest into the growth of the inline sport and its public appeal, and making every possible attempt to support the WIC athletes and events. Thus, we have not increased the registration fees despite a considerable growth of racing opportunities and much increased overall prize money for the 2010 season. Your license fee remains an important contribution to financing the WIC organization, its promotion, TV production and internet presence prize money bonus pool, medals, authorizations, federation support etc. A priority for 2010 and the years to follow is our media presence. A widely improved relationship with the media and, thus growing media presence of the inline sport is crucial for the benefit of the sport, the athletes and teams, the industry as well as to enlarge the sponsor pool.

In order to cope with the current financial situation and to give the teams means to reduce their costs, we have decided to adapt the registration fees for WIC teams in 2010 as follows (valid for 1 team, men or women):

Team registration
(men and women):

Option A: Participation at all WIC Top Class, WIC C1, WIC track and all SIC races; includes 2 double rooms for 1 night or 1 double room for 2 nights per team at the WIC Top Class races � 3,500.00 (plus VAT)

Option B: includes all WIC Top Class, WIC C1, WIC track and all SIC races;
without hotel accommodation. � 2,900.00 (plus VAT)

For single athletes there are the following alterations alternatives with view to the new track races:

Single registration
(men and women):

Option 1: Participation at all WIC Top Class, WIC C1, WIC track and all SIC races; includes 1 single room for 1 night � 1000.00 (plus VAT)

Option 2: includes all WIC Top Class, WIC C1 and all SIC races,
excluding track races; includes 1 single room for 1 night � 800.00 (plus VAT)

Option 3: participation at all WIC and SIC track races; excludes hotel accommodation � 400.00 (plus VAT)

For any further information about the variations or the registration itself, do not hesitate to contact us, we are at your entire disposal.

In order to allow everybody an easy start into the new season, we have refrained as far as possible to make alterations in the rule book. That means that the most important elements remain unchanged, except for the following modifications:

- Art. 34.1 has changed: for the overall ranking a maximum of 75 % of season races are included. (Top Class or C1 at your choice, i.e. with 18 races per season, the highest ranking points from a maximum of 14 races will count towards the season ranking.)
- Art. 34.4 has changed as well: from 01.01.2010 the team owners receive 30 % of WIC prize money (compared to 20 % before). This reflects the calendar growth with increased income opportunity on the one side, and rising costs of the teams and team owners.
- A further financial support of the teams and single athletes will be the following procedure: For a participation on a 3rd trip to an overseas race, there will be a contribution to the travel expenses of 200 � per athlete. For example: the participation in Cartagena and Incheon are two overseas trips, a further participation in Chuncheon or Buenos Aires will entail a travel contribution of 200 � per athlete!
- The scoring and ranking of the track races is separate from the marathon scoring and cannot be cumulated
- As far as possible, we have resigned to make alterations in the rule book, in order to have not so many changes this year. That means that the most important elements are the same as before. This includes the fact that only WIC registered athletes qualify for WIC prize money and season ranking points.

Good luck to all skaters, have a successful season and no crashes. We look forward to seeing you soon at the first race!

Your IGUANA Marketing team

PDF Download

World Inline Cup Calendar 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:52:00 +0100

We are pleased to give you an exclusive overview on the exciting collection of

existing and new events.

Download World Inline Cup Calendar 2010

A sport that moves the world

2009 � A R�sum� — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:00 +0100

What a dramatic final! The height of the season in the Carribean! An emotional and thrilling World Cup 2009 had come to its end on the Isla Margarita and with this a unique worldwide inline series, the WORLD INLINE CUP!

In a hot showdown the Colombian superstar Diego Rosero (Rollerblade World) beat the - up to the last race - leading French Yann Guyader and thus won the palm of the overall winner. He drove the race of this live, demonstrating how strong he is.

The overall victory of his girl-friend Cecilia Baena couldn�t certainly comfort him for being only second. But the Colombian sprinter called �Checky� (Powerslide Matter World) was the outstanding female skater of the whole season, unbeatable in the end.

The WORLD INLINE CUP 2009 ended with a spectacular race taking place in an exotic atmosphere and a beautiful scenery. The athletes not only met on the track but also on the wonderful beach with its sensational clubs and parties, like the �White Party� on the opening day and finally the �End-of-Season-Party� with the prize giving ceremony. A scenery nobody will certainly forget soon.

Looking back to the whole season with its venues in Colombia, France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Korea and Switzerland, everybody can see that the WORLD INLINE CUP has now become what it is proposed to be: a worldwide prestigious inline race series. We are very proud to say that we have been able to achieve this in the first year under the new leadership. But we don�t want to forget all those people who contributed with their assistance that the WORLD INLINE CUP could be realized in such a way. We say thank you to:

The team, the industry, the numerous organizers and people who work without expecting any proceeds for it, but were living 24 hours a day, seven days a week only for this sport.

We say thank you to all skaters for the thrilling races, to the teams and team owners for their individual and large financial support, to the confederations, esp. the FIRS with its president Sabatino Aracu and the CIC president Roberto Marotta for giving support. Moreover we thank all organizers, patrons and helping hands, who organized the races in some of the most interesting places in the World. Guido Ferraiuolo from Patincarrera stands in place of all those helping in the background, as well as Fabian Arcila and Chechy�s papa Eugnio. Without them a WIC races in South America would not have been possible!

Last but not least our thanks got to all who believe in speed skating. To all who don�t only focus on short-time trends but on an exiting, fascinating sport. We will show this again in 2010 and are glad that many brands and enterprises make it possible that the teams and the top athletes can take part in the WIC. They won�t get disappointed, because we will make the WORLD INLINE CUP 2010 stronger and the venues as attractive as this year. We will come back to Colombia and Venezuela and will have beautiful races in the Netherlans, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain and certainly in Switzerland. We are already looking forward to seeing you in March 2010 on the occasion of the first start of the WIC series.

Dramatic final in Margarita: Rosero victorious!

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:10:00 +0100

Caribbean weather, a tropical scenery and temperatures of more than 30�C at 9 a.m., this presented extreme conditions for the WORLD INLINE CUP final. Diego Rosero drove the race of his life and so became the winner in Margarita as well as the overall winner in 2009. In the ladies� race Kelly Martinez emerged victorious, but the overall winner is Cecilia Baena.

The athletes had to do 19 laps on the 2.2 kilometres circuit. As during the whole season, the women�s race was dominated by the Bont-Girls as well as by the ladies of the Powerslide Matter World Team. Shortly before they had done half of the track, Kelly Martinez (COL/Bont Wheels Team), Giovanna Turchiarelli (ITA/Powerslide Matter World) Team) and Sindy Cortez (VEN) made a successful attempt to break away. But Giovanna wasn�t able to keep the speed and fell back. Thus the two other ladies ran a solitary race. The experience made the difference and Cindy Cortez was left standing with regard to an experienced Kelly Martinez. However, the young skater Cortez, starting for the host country, can be proud of her excellent race.

The men�s race was an absolute showdown between the overall leader Yann Guyader (FRA/Powerslide Matter World Team) and Diego Rosero (COL/Rollerblade World Team). From the beginning the race was incredibly fast and Yann Guyader remained at the wheel with his Powerslide Matter World Team. The new formed Schaenkel-Team with Joey Mantia (USA) und Massi Presti (ITA) resisted heavily. But then, shortly before half of the race was over, Diego Rosero, broke through the top flight. Nobody was able to follow him! In an incredible heat and with heavy headwind sometimes, he made a solitary race, but the race of his life and even could take some minutes from his pursuers, the world�s best skaters. Moreover, on the last metres he lapped the field and turned out to be the great winner of the day in a race dominated by world-class athletes.

With this victory he altered the ranking in the WORLD INLINE CUP, too and displaced the present leader Guyader to position two in the overall ranking, who became 4^th behind Presti and Mantia.

Thus a thrilling WIC-season 2009 has come to its end in the Caribbean. It was celebrated with a hot �End of season party� till dawn. We already look forward to the next season 2010 which certainly is going to be interesting. News will follow soon.

Three days inline skating at its best

1st November WORLD INLINE CUP in Margarita — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:47:00 +0100

The countdown is progressing and only in a few days the most important inline race of this season will start. The venue of the final race of the WORLD INLINE CUP is the Venezuelan isle Margarita. More than 20 television and radio stations as well as news agencies will report about the event where over 300 of the world�s best inline skaters take part. And not only temperatures are hot with about 33�C, many parties, enthusiastic spectators and a race track on the road along the beach let you have �Caribbean dreams�.

The �Isla Margarita� is already looking forward to this event with the fast rolls. A large number of billboards are hanging in the streets and the first athletes are going to arrive the next few days. They come together for the first time on Friday 30^th October for the sprint races. In the evening the big welcome party at Bongo Beach is taking place as a �White party� with everybody dressed in all white.

On Sunday, 1^st November, the height of this year�s inline season will follow: The winner of the 42 km marathon will also be the overall winner of the WORLD INLINE CUP 2009. Another eight laps to go and we will know who will bear the palm. Eight laps at high temperatures and changing winds. Together with the ambitious aims of the athletes, a highly thrilling and emotional competition is guaranteed. In any case: The big beach party will follow in the evening to mark the end of season and to celebrate the winners.

Big Final in Margarita

1st November WORLD INLINE CUP in Margarita — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:48:00 +0200

It�s going to be thrilling. The last race of the WORLD INLINE CUP 2009 taking place in Margarita/Venezuela is not decided yet. Yann Guyader, as well as Diego Rosero, can win the palm of the overall leader of one of the most important worldwide inline race series. And who will be on the following positions, will stay an exiting question, too. As to the ladies the victory of the predominant leader Cecilia Baena is clear, but the fights for the places on the winners� rostrum still go on.

Sunshine, a wonderful beach and inline skating � a perfect scenery for the big final of the WORLD INLINE CUP 2009. The events for the end of season of the inline professionals will be organized in Margarita for the first time. The Caracola Beach will certainly be a perfect location for the important 42 km race. Races start with the sprint competitions on the urban circuit of Margarita on Saturday 30^th October and go on 1^st November with the decisive marathon. The very fact that eight TV teams and more than 20 newspapers will be on site reporting about the race shows that the media pay much attention to this important event.

Guyader or Rosero?

The hard fights for the first position between the French Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World) and the Colombian Diego Rosero (Rollerblade World) have been going on over the last eleven races. The 1^st November will bring the decision, who of them will become the overall leader. Juan Nayib Tobon (COL/Zepto Skate Team), Massi Presti (ITA/Luigino Atom World) and Christian Diaz Granados (COL/Powerslide Matter World) are competing for the 3^rd position and a place on the rostrum.

Who can stop the Powerslide Ladies?

The Powerslide Matter World Team is the convincing ladies team of the 2009 season. After eleven of twelve races, the four Powerslide skaters, Cecilia Baena (COL), Giovanna Turchiarelli (ITA), Jana Gegner (GER) and Nathalie Barbotin (FRA), are leading. However, closely behind them the Italian Laura Gezzi as well as the ladies of the Bont Wheels Team Tamara Llorens (ARG) and Alexandra Vivas (COL) are competing for the next positions in the overall ranking.

Ranking before the final

The updated score includes the deletion of one result of each a C1 and a Top Class Race. The points in Margarita will be multiplied by the factor 1.6.

Men

1. Guyader 801

2. Rosero 776

3. Tobon 561

4. Presti 550

5. Granados 531

Ladies

1. Baena 970

2. Turchiarelli 605

3. Gegner 579

4. Barbotin 559

5. Ghezzi 498

Baena und Saggiorato complete hat-tricks

WORLD INLINE CUP BERLIN — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:31:00 +0200

Cecilia Baena and Luca Saggiorato triumphed to become champions of the 36^th edition of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON for Inline-Skating. Both men�s and women�s races finished with a mass sprint for the line in blazing sunshine. 200,000 spectators cheered on the field of 7,612 participants of whom 95 per cent were amateur skaters.

�I�m very proud to have won here for the third time. Inline-Skating is the second most important sport in Columbia next to football and many children and young people there see me as a role model,� said a delighted Cecilia Baena (Powerslide Matter World Team/COL) after the race. Cecilia Baena certainly lived up to her role as pre-race favourite. The 22-year-old is concentrating on the marathon this year and has dominated the World Cup in this event. The Columbian�s team-mate Giovanna Turchiarelli (ITA) and Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheel Team/COL) finished second and third. The top German woman was Tina Struever (World Inlinecenter Matter) who came in sixth.

Numerous breakaway attempts were the main theme of the men�s race but no individual skater or team was able to make them decisive. The Berliner Viktor Wilking (Experts Race Team) was among the most prominent, repeatedly pushing the pace at the head of the field but losing out to the tactics of the big-name teams. �Unfortunately when it came to attacks, no-one could agree so we never really seized the initiative. One reason was certainly that the leading favourites Diego Rosero and Yann Guyader were content to hang back in the pack and their team-mates had no interest in joining in with a leading group,� Wilking said in summing up the race from his point of view. That meant the men�s race was decided by a mass sprint. The winner was an Italian well known to Berliners who used his chance over the last few metres to perfection: Luca Saggiorato (Rollerblade World Team) matched Cecilia Baena�s achievement in winning his third victory at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON � unprecedented achievements for both men�s and women�s champions.

�The plan was that our team leader Diego Rosario should win. But after the Brandenburg Gate I noticed that he couldn�t maintain his pace and I couldn�t help him any more. So I went for the win myself and am so happy to have won Berlin for the third time,� Saggiorato said following his victory. One of the leading favourites, the Frenchman Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World Team) finished second and Christian Diaz Granados from the Powerslide Phuzion World Team/COL took third place. Yann Guyader emphasised in the post-race press conference the importance of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON for Inline-Skating: �Berlin is simply great, the organisation is so professional, the best there is. With so many spectators and participants and live television coverage, the Berlin Marathon is more important for us than the World Championships. So it�s no surprise that almost all the top skaters have come to Berlin, even though the World Championships are currently going on in China.� The young Berlin skater Viktor Wilking, who finished five seconds behind in 40^th place, gave his thoughts on the matter: �I did all I could today and will keep on trying till I win Berlin one day. It�s my number one ambition.�

Just as in previous years some of the up and coming young skaters presented a curtain-raiser at the Brandenburg Gate at midday. The chief attraction was a 100 metres Powersprint with the motto �Beat Usain Bolt on Inline-Skates.� The German sprint star Matthias Schwierz needed just 9.44 seconds � well under the world record of 9.58 by Bolt � for the 100 metres. The day was also a big success for the amateur skaters, those doing it for health and fitness above all. They had plenty of support from spectators along the route from start to finish, revelling in ideal conditions which brought many personal bests.

Women�s Results:

1. Cecilia Baena, Powerslide Matter World Team/COL 1:14:47

2. Giovanna Turchiarelli, Powerslide Matter World Team/ITA 1:14:47

3. Kelly Martinez, Bont Wheel Team/COL 1:14:47

Men�s Results:

1. Luca Saggiorato, Rollerblade World Team/ITA 1:02:50

2. Yann Guyader, Powerslide Matter World Team/FRA 1:02:50

3. Christian Diaz Granados, Powerslide Phuzion World Team/COL 1:02:50

Pure Excitement!

36. real,- BERLIN MARATHON 19th September — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:23:00 +0200

The real,- BERLIN MARATHON for inline skaters has long represented a very special moment in the skating season � so to say, the Wimbledon of inline skating � and has a decisive advantage: Anyone can participate in Berlin. Whether you are a professional skater or fitness freak, everyone starts together in one race and will experience together the legendary passage through the Brandenburg Gate shortly before the finish. The excitement at the 36^th edition of the real,- BERLIN MARATHON will be greater than ever, for the Berlin Wall came tumbling down exactly 20 years ago, marking the end of the Cold War. We will be duly celebrating this event at the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for inline skaters under the motto: �20 years of running without borders�!

Am I in the former East or West Berlin?

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the traces of the past are now hard to find in the centre of Berlin. Yet the division of the city is still a central aspect for visitors in Berlin. The real,- BERLIN MARATHON with its course through the city symbolises in a unique way the historical facet of this event. The skaters will cross the former demarcation line four times. While it might be difficult to combine sightseeing with personal bests, perhaps you will take in a whiff of history four times along the 42 kilometres. The marathon �border crossings� will be marked, bringing sport together with a brief history lesson.

Inline Village Expo takes off!

Tempelhof Airport also stands for the division of Berlin during the Cold War, as for many months all food and supplies for the people of West Berlin were brought in via the airport. The airport is no longer active for flights but now rather offers a great venue for the BERLIN VITAL Expo and the INLINE VILLAGE � for the first time this year in the covered outdoor area directly at the foot of the airfield. At the skater opening on Friday, all inline enthusiasts can take off on the former airfield at the �skatebynight special� from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., which is open to everyone.

Berlin instead of China

There are plenty of new world champions every year, but only one male and female skater can win the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON each year. It is not surprising that many of the fastest skaters in the world will be coming to Berlin this year � even though the World Championships are taking place in China at the same time. But also the WORLD INLINE CUP is attracting the top-skater to com to berlin. Cecilia Baena (Powerslide Matter World) could again extend her leadership. Diego Rosero (Rollerblade World), who is on the second position at the moment of the men�s ranking, will certainly have to compete heavily with his permanent rival and holder of the WIC title Yann Guyader. But also the Zepto Skate Team with the Colombian Juan Nayib Tobon, who is third in the WIC ranking, is a strong competitor.

Inline Skating live on TV

For everyone who cannot be there in person as either a participant or spectator, the television station RBB will be reporting live at the real,- BERLIN MARATHON. You can watch it from the comfort of your living room on Saturday from 4:10 to 5:25 p.m. Viewers outside of Berlin-Brandenburg can find out more about the coverage at www.rbb-online.de/fernsehen/frequenzen/index.html.

DVD for the real,- BERLIN MARATHON

The hottest topic in the skating scene is currently skate-tv.de. Created two years ago, the number of visitors is now quite impressive, with hits all the way from Asia, South America, and New Zealand. For the past several years, the skate-tv crew has created the cult DVD for the real,- BERLIN MARATHON. With its professional editing and sound, the only inline skating event DVD can be ordered starting in November at www.scc-skating.com.

Come to join the Czech Championship

International Czech Championship in Pilsen on 13th September — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:02:00 +0200

While the selected top inline-skaters will compete in the World Championship, taking place in China, and no one races of WIC, GIC and SIC series are organized during this time, all in-line skaters are wellcome to compete in the International Czech Halfmarathon Championchip, taking place on 13th September in Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Open Czech Championship is organized by the same team as the WIC race in Ostrava on the very nice safe track (1 lap 2270 m) with a lot of spectators and TV coverage. Pilsen, a nice historical city and famous World capital of the beer (birthplace of Pisner Urquell, brewery tours are available), is close to the German border - 30 minutes on the motorway, 45 minutes from the Prague Airport.

The Championship is a part of Nestl� LifeInLine Tour with the usual program (children races, Fitness 10 km race, relays, half-marathon).

Come to enjoy typical friendly race atmosphere and discover the historical city of Pilsen with famous brewery. Application form and other information you will find on

www.lifeinline.cz/en

Sensation in Berlin at the 8th XRace�09

WORLD- and GERMAN INLINE CUP in Berlin 30th August — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:21:00 +0200

Martin Thaler and Cecilia Baena are the winners of the 8th XRace�09 in Berlin. While the Colombian Baena proceeded with her string of victories, the victory of the Austrian Martin Thaler was a real surprise. Three kilometres before the finish area he wanted to do it on his own, broke away and left the top stars behind. Brilliant sunshine in Berlin, 800 participants and numerous spectators made the race, which goes over the half marathon distance and belongs to the WORLD- as well as to the GERMAN INLINE CUP series, a real success.

�It�s crazy that an Austrian is standing on top of the winner�s rostrum, leaving the great inline nations like Colombia and France behind�, that�s what the 21 year old Martin Thaler said after the greatest success in his career up to now. He started in Berlin without his team, the IDEEprint-X-Tech Team � in contrast to the top stars of the scene. Yann Guyader (FRA/Powerslide Matter World), the overall leader in the WORLD INLINE CUP, as well as his direct pursuer Diego Rosero (KOL/Rollerblade World) had been supported by their teams composed of the world�s best skaters. But Martin Thaler did not get impressed by these important stars. After a race with countless breakaways of all teams he was looking for his chance to come. �Everything or nothing that was my motto�, he said and tried to break away alone three kilometres before the finish area. The top athletes in the field did not seem to pay attention to this attempt. They were probably too much occupied by themselves looking for the best positions for the final sprint. However, his winning margin of Thaler increased quickly, even in spite of headwind. Three seconds before the pack he passed the line. Juan Nayib Tobon (KOL/Zepto Skate Team) and Kwinten Tas (BEL/Powerslide Phuzion World) followed on position two and three. Only the 6^th position was left for Guyader and the ninth for Rosero.

�We always had the intention of controlling the race right from the beginning�, Cecilia Baena said after her victory, �and we were successful. Thus the women�s race has not been as exiting as the men�s race. The Powerslide Matter World Team is named to be the best in the world this year and Cecilia Baena, the world�s best driver. But Sabine Berg (Powerslide Phuzion Team) from Gera can be very proud of her second position. She had only been some centimetres behind Baena. Baena�s team-mate, Jana Gegner from Berlin, followed on position three. �All in all, it has been a very slow race with many speed changes�, Sabine Berg said after the race. �In the final sprint I tried to increase speed early. This was the only possibility to pass Baena�s team-mates�, she further explains. �Last year I have been second and I am very proud to be this year�s winner.� Baena noticed.

Alexis Contin and Sabine Berg still leader of the GERMAN INLINE CUP

After the third of four stages, Alexis Contin (FRA/Rollerblade World) and Sabine Berg remain unchallenged at the top of the overall ranking list of the most important national race series, the GERMAN INLINE CUP (GIC). After the 13^th SportScheck Inline Marthon on October 4^th in cologne, presented by K2 Sports, we will know who will finally become the winner of the GIC.

As to the WORLD INLINE CUP, it is getting very interesting after the XRace in Berlin: Only in three weeks, on the occasion of the 36th real- BERLIN-MARATHON September 19^th, a first decision with regard to the final result can be made. The top favourites Baena, Rosero, Guyader � and Martin Thaler � are expected to come to Berlin again.

Fitness skaters and kids in top form

Most of the 800 participants of the XRace were recreational and fitness skaters. Again they took part with fun and interest as well as the 50 kids, also looking for the fastest one around the Siegess�ule. As usual the second stage of the SCC-SKating KidsCup was very attractive for the boys and girls, who showed exiting races over 500 up to 3000 metres.

Results

Men

1. Martin Thaler, AUT, IDEEprint-X-tech 0:32:08 min.

2. Juan Nayib Tobon, KOL, ZEPTO Skate Team 0:32:11 min.

3. Kwinten Tas, BEL, Powerslide Phuzion World 0:32:11 min.

Ladies

1. Cecilia Baena, KOL, Powerslide Matter World 0:38:45 min.

2. Sabine Berg, GER, Powerslide Phuzion World 0:38:45 min.

3. Jana Gegner, GER, Powerslide Matter World 0:38:45 min.

Top stars at the 8th XRace�09 in Berlin

WORLD- and GERMAN INLINE CUP in Berlin 30th August — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:54:00 +0200

The top favourites can enjoy the feeling of the German capital when they come to the WORLD- und GERMAN INLINE CUP. The following Sunday the leaders of both race series will participate in the 8th XRace�09 in Berlin. The race over a half-marathon distance offers best conditions for recreational and amateur skaters as well as for kids. Late registration is possible.

As the event is part of two important race series � the WORLD- and the GERMAN INLINE CUP - the top favourites will be represented as well as members of all teams. The XRace is the inline race in Germany which has most of the participants this year.

In the GERMAN INLINE CUP a first decision who will become the overall winner will probably be made. The German Sabine Berg (Powerslide Phuzion) and the Frenchman Alexis Contin (Rollerblade World) are the two leaders, who will start in Berlin. And in the WORLD INLINE CUP Cecilia Baena (Powerslide Matter World) could again extend her leadership. Diego Rosero (Rollerblade World), who is on the second position at the moment of the men�s ranking, will certainly have to compete heavily with his permanent rival and holder of the WIC title Yann Guyader. But also the Zepto Skate Team with the Colombian Juan Nayib Tobon, who is third in the WIC ranking, is a strong competitor as it is supported by its New Zealand team-mates Scott Arlidge and Reyon Kay, too.

Incentive for fitness skater and kids

Only the XRace offers separate races for men and women and thus it has the full attention of the public. The straight track on a fantastic road surface along the �Stra�e des 17. Juni� through the Tiergarten park is perfectly suitable for recreational skaters. The half marathon distance can be managed even with little preparation. At the same time, the SCC-Skating Kids Cup offers exiting attractions for adolescents up to 13 years.

Late registration on Sunday

If you have not yet registered for the only pure inline race in Berlin, you can do that still on the day of the event in Berlin. Up to one hour before each race it is possible to register late.

XRace-Summer party 09 August 29th

Already one day before the XRace starts, all inline skaters are invited to come to the party �XRace-SOMMERFEST 09�. The party, which is organized together with Berlin�s biggest inline club, SCC-XSpeed�, begins at 3 pm directly on Berlin�s training track �Ostkrone�. After a not too hard final training (from 3 to 4 pm) the party starts with hot music, cool drinks and a fiery grill. As reposing is necessary before the half marathon on Sunday, the party will end with the sunset at 8 pm.

For further information please look at www.scc-skating.com

Italian double victory in Biel

WORLD- und SWISS INLINE CUP in Biel 9th August — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:31:00 +0200

A six km circuit full of bends in the heart of the watchmaking city, made Biel-Bienne totally crazy about this event on rolls. The whole world elite of inline skating started in Biel enjoying wonderful weather conditions and looking for points and prizes in the WORLD- and SWISS INLINE CUP. Luca Saggiorato und Giovanna Turchiarelli made the Italian double victory perfect. More than 2,000 mainly fitness and amateur skaters � which means considerably more than the year before - took part in the well-organized races.

The men�s race was a real display of fireworks. From the beginning one attack followed the other at an incredible high speed. Some newcomers tried to break away very early � but all efforts had been in vain due to the strong favourites, who had started with their whole teams. Above all Powerslide Matter World Team, the Zepto Skate Team, Luigino Atom World and the Rollerblade World Team controlled all activities in the field and kept the speed high in spite of the numerous narrow bends.

In the last lap, in the 90� bend, just before the final sprint the race became dramatic. The athletes worked hard with their hands and fists to get the best positions and the umpires nearly had to intervene and impose sanctions. In this skirmish another road user became Nico Wieduwilt�s (Zepto Skate Team) fate. After a heavy fall he had to give up.

In a thrilling final the Italian Luca Saggiorato succeeded in beating his team-mate Diego Rosero (COL/both Rollerblade World) as well as Juan Nayib Tobon (COL/Zepto Skate Team). Massimiliano Presti (ITA/Luigino Atom World) and the Frenchman Yann Guyader (Powerslide Matter World) followed by an extremely narrow margin on places four and five, decided by photo finish whereas the sixth Francesco Zangarini (ITA/Rollerblade World) was only one roll behind Guyader. Then Christian Diaz Granados (COL/Powerslide Phuzion World), Martyn Dias (POR/Roller Lagos dos Descobrimentos), Elio Cuncu (ITA/Powerslide Matter World) and Ben Alchim (NZL/World InlineCenter Bont) crossed the finishing line. The best Swiss athlete was Nicolas Iten (Rollerblade World Team) on position 14.

As to the ladies race all important athletes and teams were represented in Biel. As usual the ladies fights were more reserved. The Bont Wheels Team as well as the Powerslide Matter World Team marked the race. Each breakaway was rigorously stopped by the leaders of the WORLD INLINE CUP. However, in the third lap Giovanna Turchiarelli (ITA/Powerslide World Team) and Alexandra Vivas (COL/Bont Wheels Team) could break away successfully from the field. Because they worked very together very well, they could extend their lead continuously. Due to tactical reasons Cecilia Baena, the overall leader, did not follow. Other breakaways were in vain and their lead increased to more than one minute. Finally Giovanna Turchiarelli increased speed before the last critical bend. Alexandra Vivas was not able to follow and the Italian won by a margin of more than six tenths of a second. More than one minute later followed the German Tina Str�ver (World Inline Center Matter) on position three and left the individually licensed Italian skater Laura Ghezzi from Merate on an excellent fourth place. Valentina Cantu (Alessi World Team), Kelly Martinez (COL/Bont Wheels Team), Nathalie Barbotin (FRA), Cecilia Baena (COL/beide Powerslide Matter World Team), Tamara Llorens (ARG/Bont Wheels Team) and Jakobine Wolf (GER/Experts Race Team) followed.

SWISS INLINE CUP �one-eleven� St. Gallen 16th August

The following Sunday the eight of ten stages of the SWISS INLINE CUP will be held in St. Gallen. The professionals have to pass a distance of 111 km � fitness and amateur skaters less.

The next meeting of the WORLD INLINE CUP skaters is on 30th August, when the 8th XRace�09 through the city of Berlin over a half marathon distance takes place.