| "To describe Ely
in answer to your questions: Ely is first and foremost a
performer, a dancer, an entertainer. Skating provides him with a
stage on which to perform. He also does ballet and loves soccer
(football). He is only now taking up ice skating, and he has never
skated on quads. He is as comfortable on inlines as anybody in the
world. He has yet to master all the jumps and spins, but at pure
skating (I think they refer to it as "stroking" in ice
skating), he is smoother than anyone!"
"I am not sure that I explained to you
that what Ely did last summer was history making: He skated on inlines
in a quad skating championship (USARS Nationals), and received first
place votes from all judges, becoming the first person to win a quad
national championship on inlines. We thought that we would not be
permitted to win because of a bias experienced by other inliners in the
past, but Ely's victory was actually celebrated by the roller skating
establishment - what a surprise.
I really believe that you are on the cusp of
the beginning of a new and exciting artistic medium.
Your enthusiasm is encouraging!"
Ed Lewin |