Rob “Frisbee Rob” McLeod has announced that Jill Duffy and Jennie Orsten, two ultimate players from Calgary, will be joining him at the 2017 Silver Skate Festival to attempt 3 Guinness World Records for Self Caught Flight on Ice Skates. Rob will be attempting the Men’s records (which he currently holds) while Jill and Jennie will be attempting the Women’s records (which currently don’t exist).
All three competitors have been training hard for the record attempts which are taking place on Saturday, February 11 from 12-2pm at Hawrelak Park during Edmonton’s annual winter and ice festival, now in its 26th year.
Rob chose Jill and Jennie after a long search online and offline and knows that he made the right choice. “Jill and Jennie are both ultimate players and are also really good skaters – Jill is a competitive hockey player and Jennie is a former competitive figure skater,” said Rob. “They are both super excited for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to helping train both of them and watch their progress. It’s going to be a lot of fun for spectators so we’re hoping to put on a good show!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m3Yi9-SXjE
About the Records
Self-Caught Flight (SCF) includes two events with the intention throwing the disc in a high boomerang flight allowing the thrower to then catch it — with one hand! In Maximum Time Aloft (MTA), a player aims to accumulate a maximum number ofseconds between the throw and catch; in Throw, Run and Catch (TRC), the object is to accumulate a maximum number ofmeters between the throw and catch. To get good results, players must be adept at gauging the wind, “reading” the flight of a disc and employing good catching techniques.
- Maximum Time Aloft (MTA)
- Throw, Run and Catch (TRC)
- Self Caught Flight (SCF)
Maximum Time Aloft (MTA)
The intention is to have your disc stay in the air (aloft!) as long as possible and then catch it with one hand before it reaches the ground. The time that the disc remains in the air is measured with a stopwatch. Players get five attempts and the best time counts. For an accurate timing, three stop- watches are used. The median or middle time of the three times is used. At the moment the world record is 16.72 seconds.
Throw, Run and Catch (TRC)
The player throws, and then runs to catch the disc with one hand. The distance between the circle where the disc was thrown and where it was caught, is measured. Players get five attempts and the best one counts. At the moment the world record is 94 meters.
Self Caught Flight (SCF)
MTA and TRC are often combined into one event by having players throw five attempts of each discipline. The SCF score is derived by taking the TRC result in meters and adding it to the MTA time in seconds which is multiplied by a factor 5.5. This is because the general rule of thumb is that 1 second equals 5.5 meters. Therefore, a 40 m TRC and 7.3 second MTA would result in an SCF score of 40 + (7.3 × 5.5) = 80.15.
About the Silver Skate Festival
The Silver Skate Festival is a 10-day, family-oriented festival running February 10-20, 2017 in Edmonton’s scenic river valley. Rooted in Dutch winter traditions, the festival combines sport (especially skating), arts and culture, and recreation. Celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2017, the Silver Skate Festival is the longest running winter festival in Edmonton. Over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds, from a small skating event to a large-scale, winter extravaganza. Last year, more than 105,000 visitors came out to play.
Each year, the festival transforms Hawrelak Park into a winter wonderland with fun for the entire family. Here, you’ll discover breathtaking snow sculpture, winter sports, and horse-drawn sleighs carrying families through the park. Sit in a Cree Winter Camp and cook bannock over an open fire. Compete in the Winter triathlon or speed skating events. Take in live music and theatrical performances with your friends and loved ones. Our festival activities are as diverse as the people who call our Northern community home.