Regional and National

Ruri is going to the nationals, so she has to get qualified at the regionals. Last weekend we were at Sacramento for the weekend of racing. Ruri took part in the novice division, regional (saturday) and standard division (sunday).

During the long race (1000m) Ruri didn't get out the starting line aggressively and had to play catch up. As she was trying to pass the third time, she got DQed for riding out....this was the first time she ever got DQed, and I actually congratulated her (yes I'm not supposed to encourage her for that:-)

For the standard division, she was 3 point behind a second year Sophomore girl (Ruri is first year Sophomore) so she had to win. We talked about the strategy of going to the front first, and lead 2-3 laps then drop to cruising speed, and draft until 2 laps to go for the kill. She did exactly that, and won the race. The short race was interesting, she was leading all the way and many times she was close to be passed but she hold her corner by stepping all the way and skating close to pylon, and won both races.

She also did well in the open (Sophomore above and Senior below) but clearly she was not able to hang with the big girls. Now one month to nationals (7/3- 10) in Lincoln Nebraska.

Some photos (Copyright Kevin Bailey).