;-(   - David I just winced remembering Mandy Woetzel's fall in the paris competition at '94 Olypmics where she tripped on her toe pick and fell on her chest and chin - he was holding her arms so there was no way for her to protect her face or anythign with her hands - v scary fall. Ant Ant,     Ouch!    I don't even want to think about it.     Fortunately, my trip was not all that bad.   My hands were free, and I had sufficient flight time to plan my landing.   I had a lot of forward momentum, so I slid for a long time rather than stopping abruptly with my body.   Just a few typical bruises.   I continued skating, and did not feel too sore until the next day.    - David

In order for my wife and I to practice our team dancing, I would like to be able to skate with an MP3 p_layer_ and a small speaker on my person.    I have not figured out the safest place to attach the devices, so that they will not injure me if I fall. Any thoughts? David I sometimes use a Casio 'Wrist Audio P_layer_', which is a watch with built-in MP3 p_layer_. The lead for the headphones goes up inside my sleeve and out through the neck of my shirt - works well, particularly for learning / timing a new routine and the watch / MP3 part is hardly larger than a regular watch. However, it would not work for 2 people - unless they use one earpiece each and skate very close! I did hear about a wireless system that would work just the way you need - a p_layer_ / transmitter at rink side and each skater wears a receiver with earphones. Haven't heard if its been commercialised, though. Stephen, back online after nursing a broken ankle and broken computer

Hey, this watch-sized p_layer_ sounds good.  How much does it cost?  If it's really expensive, are there cheaper similar alternatives around that'll give pretty much the same use?  Since I'm only using it for skating practice, it doesn't need to be high quality.  As long as it can play music? And since I'm not highly adept in the world of computer sound files and such, can you explain how and what's needed to get a music piece onto the p_layer_?  My coach usually gives me the music on a tape (for programs) and on CD (for dances). One more qs

What are these 'jumps and spins'? Oh, of course, they are what free_style_rs do! I was always taught that free_style_rs always wanted to be dancers when they grew up Ouch Stephen! What happened to the alternative version? To paraphrase - I was always taught that dancers wanted to be freeskaters but they got old already! I'm gonna get yelled at for that one! John

Stephen Hoare < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it wrote in message What are these 'jumps and spins'? Oh, of course, they are what free_style_rs do! I was always taught that free_style_rs always wanted to be dancers when they grew up Ouch Stephen! What happened to the alternative version? To paraphrase - I was always taught that dancers wanted to be freeskaters but they got old already! No, no; freeskaters wanted to be dancers, but found the discipline too difficult!