Team SpeedVirus was lucky to have Alex Bont squeezed some time out on a Sunday morning to give speed skating tips. It was exciting as it was speculated that he might be wearing the new Zero boots and Sniper frames which everyone has heard of but not seen.

As things would turn out, he was not wearing the Zero boots. However, we managed to catch a first glimsp of the NEW SNIPER FRAMES, even tho it was a prototype. It was really really COOL with its fresh look, design and radical extrusion. Not to mention a sub 190gms frame making it THE lightest in the world. The Sniper is set to start a new benchmark in the inline frames industry!

TSV had its first Team Assessment Trials in the morning, and we were all getting warmed up after the trials and waiting for Alex to arrive and start the clinic. No sooner did we end the trials as Alex arrived. The clinic started off with some basic stretches for warming up. Followed by a series of dry land exercises aimed at building the basics of speed skating. The clinic then progressed to a more hands-on(or rather feet-on) approach on the methods and techniques in speed skating.

Alex has always been a firm believer that going back to basics and individual fundamentals will improve the skater. After the dry land drills, he had us put on our skates and progressed into the dynamic aspects of the earlier drills we did, concentrating on track style skating, etc.

Then came the highlight of the day... the last event everyone has been waiting for - sprints. Alex is a sprint bred track skater and his demonstration of the various starts were performed to perfection. It was nice seeing him "running" in person and his great patience as we took turns trying out some basic sprints. All in all, even with the police snapping at our heels, and adding the heat to that, but all those who attended the clinic found it extremely interesting and worth every minute under the hot sun. You can see the determined efforts by all Viruses to make the best of such an invaluable clinic and in appreciation, Alex was later presented with a TSV T-Shirt as a momento from the Team!

TSV adjourned to KFC where we showed that as hard as we skate, we replenish equally. Showing Alex the true blue hospitality of Singaporeans!!! On behalf of TSV, we would like to thank Alex for graciously conducting this clinic and for sharing his time and experiences with us!