2010:
Wins her first career Olympic medal! At the Vancouver Winter Games, Allison and her U.S. short track speedskating teammates brought home the bronze in the 3000-meter relay. The U.S. team also included Katherine Reutter, Alyson Dudek, Kimberly Derrick and Lana Gehring. Team USA originally placed fourth in a time of 4:14:081, but gained a spot on the podium after Korea was disqualified for impeding a Chinese team that set a new world record (4:06.610) with their gold medal showing.
2009:
Sets up house and trains in Salt Lake City, Utah, home of the Olympic training center.
Eats, drinks and breathes speed skating as she trains for the 2010 Winter Games,
in Vancouver-Go for the Gold, Allison!
2008:
Brings home three bronze medals at her only two ISU World Cup events,
and leads the U.S. in medals on the circuit. Earns more World Cup medals
than any other female short track speed- skater in U.S. history. Signs with
Wilhelmina Artist Management of New York.
2007:
Earns her first U.S. short track overall national championship
in Cleveland Heights, Ohio placing first in the ladies 500-,1000-,
and 3000-meter events. Finishes fifth in the 1000- and 1500-meter
at the World Short Track Championships. Receives an MBA from the
New York Institute of Technology, via online courses.Envisions a
children's foundation while sidelined for six months by a neck injury
and elevated heart rate caused by trauma from a massage.
2006:
Fights through a back injury to break her own 1000-meter record at the
World Cup in Hangzhou, China. Competes in the 2006 winter Olympics in
Torino, Italy. Places seventh in the women's 500-meter despite sustaining
an injury during the race; her 3000-meter relay team finishes fourth.
Unable to skate-or even walk-for nine months after the Olympics injury.
Receives Sports Illustrated nomination for "most studious" Olympic athlete
award. Inks a sponsorship contract with Penske Truck Rental of Reading, Pa.
Catches the eye of NBC execs, who consider her for a spot on "The Apprentice".
2004-2005:
Competes in Europe, China and the U.S in the World Cup. Competes in 10 World Cup
finals winning five medals and setting a new mark for a U.S. short track female skater.
Ends the World Cup season ranked third overall. Sets a new American record in the
1000-meter event at the World Championships in China.
2003:
Earns bachelor's degree in marketing and management from Penn State. Begins training
with world-class strength and conditioning coach John Schaeffer of Winning Factor Sports
Science Training Systems
2002:
Competes at the Salt Lake City Winter Games, where her 3000-meter relay team places seventh
As one of the most explosive, high-risk sports of the Games, short track speed skating is a hidden gem of the Winter Olympics.
Short track is raced on an oval so small it can fit in a hockey rink. With flashing speed, precise execution, and decisive strategy, it rivals auto and bicycle racing for sheer excitement.
Short track speed skaters can go head-to-head individually or in small relay teams. Racing counter-clockwise, competitors skate on razor-thin blades, hitting speeds near 40 miles per hour.
A skater can pass opponents or even change lanes to move ahead in the pack-- but it's risky! Cause a collision or bump another racer and the passer can be disqualified. No wonder speed and finesse are crucial.
If a competitor is lapped once, she must move to the outside track-lapped twice and she's out of the race.
Short track keeps spectators on the edge of their seats to the very end, where strategy gives way to a burst of pure speed. Changing lanes on the home stretch is against the rules, so viewers can always count on a breathtaking sprint to the finish.
Other speed skating fast facts:
Short track is raced on an oval so small it can fit in a hockey rink. With flashing speed, precise execution, and decisive strategy, it rivals auto and bicycle racing for sheer excitement.
Short track speed skaters can go head-to-head individually or in small relay teams. Racing counter-clockwise, competitors skate on razor-thin blades, hitting speeds near 40 miles per hour.
A skater can pass opponents or even change lanes to move ahead in the pack-- but it's risky! Cause a collision or bump another racer and the passer can be disqualified. No wonder speed and finesse are crucial.
If a competitor is lapped once, she must move to the outside track-lapped twice and she's out of the race.
Short track keeps spectators on the edge of their seats to the very end, where strategy gives way to a burst of pure speed. Changing lanes on the home stretch is against the rules, so viewers can always count on a breathtaking sprint to the finish.
Other speed skating fast facts:
- Short track speed skating was introduced as a demonstration sport at the Olympics in 1988. It became an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Games.
- In the Olympics, skaters compete in three individual events: the 500-, 1000- and 1500-meter events.
- Skaters compete in team events as well. Women skate the 3000-meter relay, and men the 5000-meter.
- During non-Olympic years, short track speed skaters take to the ice in World Cup competition, the World Championships and domestic championship events.
Vancouver 2010 Olympics
>> http://www.vancouver2010.com
World Short Track
>> http://www.worldshorttrack.com
