TESSA WORLEY , the SKI Champion !

Tessa Worley , today won the World Championship in the Reisen Slalom Event , for France , at the 2013 Schladming World Alpine Ski Championships . Interviewed after the event on ORF1 , she related her elation in English . This should come as no surprise to those that know that her father is an Australian . This fact was relayed to me when i met her , in Sestriere , when i was there as a Volunteer , working on the Race Piste as a Slipper ,  with both the Olympic & Paralympic Winter / Torino Games in 2006 .

At that time , i mentioned that i had met Zali Steggall at St Anton in 2001 , when she won the World Championship Special Slalom Event . We were on the Chair lift with her Mother when i started a conversation that led to her saying her father was an Australian and that she was aspiring to ski in the French National Ski Team . When i mentioned this conversation top some Aussies , they said that she had a better chance of progressing with her career , whilst in the French Team . They were correct in that , now we look back and see her steady progression through this season .

Whilst watching the scenes of jubilation , that occured , as Tessa waited for the end of the first run , of the first 30 skiers , i noticed @julian lizeroux , in the French Group . I had earlier had a chuckle as i watched Austrian TV , ORF 1 , interview Alberto Tomba . Being the SKI Icon that he is , he refused to use the German that he is able to speak . Bruno the Italian , that used to be his Manager / Trainer , thus translated the German / Italian content .  At Bormio in 2008 whilst chatting in English with " La Bomba " , we were interupted by someone we both knew and that convo was in German . Perhaps he wanted to avoid too long an Interview today ?

Shortly after this ,  i spotted #59 , skiing her first run , and Greta Small was unable to make it into the first 30 starters for the second run , so as to be sure of being on TV . As luck would have it , we got glimpses of her skiing into 45th place , some 10secs in arrears of Tessa  . Shortly after we saw the New Zealander , lose control on her run , it would be a DNF for her .

Tainting today's news , is the relevation , concerning Oscar Pistorius . Noted the Paralympic issued the following statement :          http://t.co/Jn7mHp1A

The great disappointment , that many will experience , is that he was responsible for changing so many peoples' perception of Disabled Sport . He fought hard for many years , for the right to be treated as a " Normal Athlete "! Attending London 2012 Olympics , as an Athlete , then going onto the Paralympic Games , as an Athlete , was certainly an extraordinary achievement . He had to miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a result of missing the qualification standard by a few tenths of a second .

Incuídental to all this , is the sponsorships that he has garnered because of his Sporting Triumphs . As i finish this post tonight , CNN show twice , within minutes a Self Promotion Ad , featuring many World Renowned Personalities . Amongst these , after President Jimmy Carter , until now , you will see Oscar saying "My Voice, My Right , My Voice Counts "!  Wonder when this ad will be removed , or , amended ?

Gun Control is a subject that i have covered in many Posts and one thing that i am sure i mentioned , was the statistical imbalance created by the presense of Guns in the home .  Seems likely that , this was another occasion where , things got out of control and unfortunate results were the outcome . US Government Authorities are presently trying to legislate for New Laws , to control access to Guns . As they debate , there continues to be loss of life , some of those losses would have been  preventable , had the " Loopholes " been closed earlier !

Watching the " State of the Union Address " given by President Barack Obama , 12th Feb , it would have been clear , how many lives were lost , even since his Inaugeration , and before that when the Sandy Hook Massacre , focused the world on this US Dilemna !

Seeing Gabby Giffords shuffle into the Senate Hearing last week , should have been enough , to remind the Law Makers of " There but for the Grace of God , GO I "!

Tracey Gaudry Organise Aussie Cycling Amnesties !

No secret that UCI President , phat mc sqat , has dragged the UCI , through the mud once again ! Irks me to realise , that i was born in the same country ! YES , everybody has problems , but does the Road Race  Cycling Sport , deserve to continue to be treated , as the source of " Personal Benefit " , to heinous and phat, principal members of the Aigle tag team ?

The only light at the end of the tunnel , that i have seen , in recent times , has been the departure of the " tag Team's , lap dog , mike turtur ! Whether it was always in his best interests , to dance to the " tag team's " tune , or he genuinely thought that he was helping Australian Cycling , or the " Tour Down Under Event " , is unclear . What is clear is that when Tracey Gaudry , was proposed as a replacement , he stood aside before, it was necessary for the vote !

With Tracey taking the Presidency of the " Oceania Region of the UCI " , there are glimmers of a " Brighter Future " for Cycling in that region ! Also heard recently , that the Dane Presidency has changed , not yet taken the time to discover by whom , and whether this also will lead to the betterment of Cycling in that Country ?

Letter by Tweet to Tracey Gaudry !

@GaudryT

With the recent news , that the " Independent Commission of the UCI ( UCIIC ) " , has been terminated by the UCI , Cycling Sport , is once again thrown into confusion !

Strong leadership is a requirement for any Sports Federation . Regretably , this quality does not exist at the UCI !

As President of the Oceania Region , you are in a place , where you are able to gain the attention of the other Regional Presidents . No doubt , you are still trying to find your place amongst those , who have been involved for many years , however , as the CEO of the " Amy Foundation " for many years , you will have the " Street Smarts ", to be able to gain the attention of others and perhaps influence their decisions .

It is pertinent to add Travis Tygarts comment about the decision to close the " Independent Commission , yesterday :
  "The UCI blindfolded and handcuffed its independent commission and now hopes the world will look the other way while the UCI attempts to insert itself into the investigation into the role it played in allowing the doping culture to flourish."

Listed here below , are two " Petitions " that i created over the past months ! They are not perfect , indeed i am sure they could be written in a better way , but achieve similar results . Currently , i am reading of the Dutch Federation , conducting their own " Truth & Conciliation Process " , two Racers having been given a 6 month Sanction , as a result of their disclosures .  Could it not be possible for more countries to follow the Dutch example ?

With John Fahey , Chairman of WADA and Jaimie Fuller , Chairman of Change Cycling Now being Australians , i feel sure that as Australians , you will ALL , wish to act in a way , that helps Australian Cycling to benefit ?

My petitions for your perusal :


http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …
&
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

Sincerely 

Skippy Mc Carthy

NB

Some of the Press releases from " Stakeholders "!


John Fahey's Press Release begins with :

 " WADA is dismayed by the press release issued by UCI yesterday, both in terms of its content and its deceit."

The entire Press release here :

http://playtrue.wada-ama.org/news/statement-from-wada-president-john-fahey-in-response-to-uci-press-release-of-january-28-2013/


Jaimie Fuller of Change Cycling Now , has this to say :

  "  Change Cycling Now today calls on the general sport of cycling, its National Federations and other global stakeholders
to enforce the removal of a manipulative and contemptible administration that is content to drag cycling further into
disrepute in order to safeguard the positions of its leaders.

It is now clear, beyond all doubt, that the UCIIC was never independent"

read more here :

http://www.changecyclingnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/CCN_Press_Release_290113.pdf

Statement from " UCIIC " , just released , The Panel members , show their Integrity , with this :

  "  The Commission urges all those who have an interest in cycling to make sure that an independent TRC is established and remains willing to offer assistance in the process if required."

http://www.uciic.org/press-release-29-january-2013/


A Cycling Fan , attended last Friday's session of the " UCIIC Procedural hearing " , in London and reported to CNF Clinic , these observations : titling themselves as " Morbius ":

  "  UCI were due to present their proposals on T&R to WADA by the beginning of this week at the latest.

The UCIIC wanted evidence that WADA had bought into the UCI proposals for T&R before volunarily suspending activity - and at a serious level, not just in principle. UCIIC were very clearly not just going to take the UCI's word that T&R would go ahead on a sensible timescale and not be stalled by other issues.

UCIIC were also concerned that a broader T&R process would kick the investigation into UCI activity around Armstrong / USPS into the "long grass".

The purpose of the meeting due on Thursday was to review whether WADA and UCI had reached agreement. If there was no agreement, the meeting would continue to look at UCIIC evidence processes.

Now it appears UCI have pulled the plug unilaterally. There is no evidence in their press release that the detailed proposals for T&R have been agreed with WADA, or even presented to them. There is clearly no sign that UCIIC agree with UCI about the ending of the investigation.

I really hope that
1) we get comments from UCIIC commissioners,
2) the press follow up the specific concerns of the UCIIC including about the timing of the process, the commitment of WADA, agreements to fund the process and the continued focus on the behaviour of UCI.

I guess the Thursday Meeting , now cancelled , will not be the end of the matter , having just heard " Jaimie Fuller of CCN , speaking by phone , on the SKY TV News Sport segment !

ONLY in the USA !

Los Angeles is at the cutting edge when it comes to " taking an Initiative "! Normally May each year , there is a " Collection of Weapons , thus generating " Gift Coupons " as a reward ! $100 " gift Voucher for Hand Guns , etc and $200 for Assault type weapons . Last May somewhere around 1700 items were exchanged on a " No Questions asked basis .

Due to the Newtown Atrocity , a new " Collection of Weapons " is reported to have begun ! How can anyone justify an " Anti Tank Gun " , in their possession ? Can you imagine how anyone could take this item out in public , let alone hunting ? Could it have been a souvenir of a member of the " Armed Services ? Not the sort of item that any "Right thinking Person " would keep in their home , let alone in an unlocked storage facility ? In a previous Blog Post , i had suggested that Weapons be turned in at the National Guard in return for a " Tax Rebate "! Costs the Government , little , to forego some revenue ! Seems that the Los Angeles Initiative gets results over the years , wonder why this is not a more common occurance  throughout the USA ?

When Australia enacted Legislation for " Gun Control in 1996 , there was also a " Buy Back Scheme ": There were penalties for " Possession of a Sanctioned Weapon " after a certain date , but , i am sure most owners were happy to take the " Rewards on Offer "!  Tax Rebates , may not be as attractive as giving " Gift Vouchers " , but they will mean less chance of people not complying with Legislation .

CNN reports another Initiative that i believe is worthwhile . A Newspaper , " Journal news ",  has printed a listing of ALL Gun Permit Owners in TWO Counties of New York State . this is backed up by an " Interactive  Map " !   This Interactive Map  allows you to Zoom in on ALL your neighbours , this info being compiled from Public Information . Naturally , there is now a controversy regarding the " Rights & Wrongs " of this " Public spirited Action "!  Some families will now be perusing those lists , checking to see whether the Childrens " Friends " , are listed , deciding whether they have issues about their Children visiting those premises ?

On the Contra side there are those suggesting the " Criminal Elements " will be able to utilise this info , for their benefit ? Looking to obtain some weapons , or knowing who can be regarded as " Defenceless " , are just a few of the ideas floated as justification for this Initiative , NOT being utilised by others releasing similar information elsewhere .

CONGRESS is supposedly returning to Washington before the New Year , WHAT is stopping them from following Los Angeles and using the " Legislation appied THERE " , to create an IMMEDIATE " BUY BACK Scheme " in their States and " Districts "?

Are these politicians SO COWARDLY that they want to see more " Giffords , more NEWTOWNS , more "First Responders " massacred ?

WHY are people not on the phone to their ELECTED REPS , demanding INITIATIVES  and ACTION TODAY ?

Are you going to sit back after reading this and NOT VISIT :  http://www.demandaplan.org/