Thoughts on the Japanese tragedy and the World Figure Skating Championships

Thank you very much Mot for the translation,

Poor Yuzuru (and other skater), they deserve a big hug, the effect of the earthquake really last long.
The skaters from Sendai has to travel 6 hours to practise!!!!! I hope this will not affect thier performance next season. Is there any ways to let them know that there are so many people support them and wish them the best?

p.s. I have a high respect for Nanami Abe's effort to enable her student to continue practise skating.

Detroit Skating Club hosts a special show for Tsunami Relief

Detroit Skating Club hosts A Magical Evening on Ice show from June 9th - 12th, featuring Alissa Czisny, Davis / White, Weaver / Poje. The show on the 9th will be followed by special appearance of the following skaters for Japan Red Cross Tsunami Relief; Takahiko Kozuka, Akiko Suzuki, Shibutanis, and Haruka Imai.

http://dscclub.com/main.html

I believe Japanese skaters are / will be in DSC for choreography. Those who can go, don't miss it!

Treeloving, I am also worried about those skaters in Sendai. How long can they go on like this? How long can their parents can support them? How is their schooling affected?

You can send a letter to JSF specially addressed to a articular skater. I am not sure how easy to get it to Yuzuru, who is travelling all over Japan at the moment, or how long it will take to get to him. But it could be worth a try.

〒150-8050
東京都渋谷区神南1-1-1　岸記念体育会館内
日本スケート連盟気付　○○選手あて(←選手名を明記してください)

Zip code: 150-8050
Kishi Kinen Taiiku Kaikan
1-1-1 Jin-nan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Japan Skating Federation
FAO: (put skater's name here)

They send me this benefit show today and the cast is amazing!!!

http://dscclub.com/main.html

You're right! What a lovely cast!

Ice Rink Sendai plans to reopen in August

An excellent news I came across today, and I would love to share it, especially with Treeloving!

http://www.icerink-sendai.com/

According to their website, Ice Rink Sendai, which is a home rink to many Tohoku-based skaters including Yuzuru, is working to reopen at the beginning of August. Hurrah!

mot said:

An excellent news I came across today, and I would love to share it, especially with Treeloving!

http://www.icerink-sendai.com/

According to their website, Ice Rink Sendai, which is a home rink to many Tohoku-based skaters including Yuzuru, is working to reopen at the beginning of August. Hurrah!

Click to expand...

Oh! Mot, thank you so much. This is great news. I'm so gald for the tohoku-based skaters to have thier only year-round rink back again.

I'm so happy!

Yeah!!!!!!!!!

p.s. thanks also for the address of JSF

Good news for the skaters for sure.

Takahiko Kozuka visited the afflicted area

Article from the local paper, with a photo of Takahiko with little ones. http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2011/06/2011060201000727.htm

(translated by me)

22 year-old Takahiko Kozuka, world silver medallist, and the JSF president Seiko Hashimoto came to Miyagi Prefecture, and paid visits to the evacuation centre, schools, etc to meet the afflicted.

The visiting group included speed skater Yuya Oikawa and short track skater Biba Sakurai, both of who represented Japan at Vancouver Olympics. They visited 5 places in total, playing with kindergarten children and encouraging some local skaters who lost places to practice, including Yuzuru Hanyu.

Kozuka's comment; It may take 10, 20 years for the affected areas to be restored to their former state. Our efforts and support should not dwindle.

-----
There is also a news clip uploaded on youtube.
(note: this one comes with a bonus track - Midori Ito's press conference about her entry to the 2011 ISU Adult Competition! Enjoy!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGBLuw8NM-Q

They heard the personal stories of the disasters from the junior high school pupils (as well as being screamed at by young fangirls. LOL). The School was hit by the tsunami and the water came up to the chest height, the teacher explained.

Takahiko says; 'Seeing the cracks and fallen tiles, it has sunk in how bad the earthquake was. I am determined to prevent the memory of the disasters slipping from people's minds as time passes.'

Additionally, Midori says...

'I always loved skating and often thought about having a go at it again. So I decided to raise my motivation and enter the competition.

I would like people to know figure skating is something to do (not only to watch) . I want people in Japan and the world to feel my eagerness and motivation to skate!'

(Ahhhhh, the hight of her triple axel!!!! Breathtaking!)