Toronto: Day 1 & Day 2

DAY 1
The flight went well and felt really quick even it took eight hours. The hotel is very close to the airport and I got here with the free shuttle bus. The place is full of roller girls! The night of our arrival we went to the gym and the pool and had something to eat, that was it.

DAY 2
The time difference, five hours, has been manageable which is really good. This morning we went on a Niagara Falls tour. It rained the whole day but our tour guide was funny. We had very fashionable yellow rain ponchos given to us and went into a tunnel behind the falls. The Falls were quite impressive but not as impressive as I'd thought. We grabbed something to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Falls. The highlight of the day must've been the black squirrels... The tour included wine tasting and preserve sampling as well. Ice wine tasted weird, strong and sweet. Reminds me of sherry? Red wine jelly was very nice and so was extra virgin olive oil infused with lemon (yum). Too price though, over $22 plus tax for a small bottle. I could make some probably at home? No ATMs so far like my card so I'm cashless. At least the hotel did not take $1,000 deposit from my card and I can still use it - a couple of other girls can't. Crazy. Went to the gym again today and was told by the machine that my fitness is below average. Oh dear. Now I'm trying to figure out where to get some proper food (fresh) and this means I need to find a supermarket. The nearest is some 3km away and it's still raining. Now I'm going to find some food... Bye!

Watch me on DNN

The first Team Finland game is Thursday night 1st December at 02.10-03.00am UK time,  Team Finland vs Australia. The next team Finland game is at 5.20pm on Friday 2nd December UK time, Team Finland vs Germany.


Link to Derby News Network DNN

PS. Here's an online article about my trip (see, it's in the 'Breaking news' section!)

http://www.blottr.com/bristol/breaking-news/bristol-roller-derby-player-set-world-cup-heights

This picture I'll take with me

This sums it up. We will have fun.

World Cup symptoms

I'm flying tomorrow! No sleep, no appetite, totally vacant brain. I took four hours to pack - I went to get something and on my way forgot what it was, and spotted another thing, which led me to think why I was hungry and then I saw my half-eaten bowl of pasta. Where was that list of things to take again? Oh, I only got half way through when I had to go and hang the washing out. Got the picture?

Now packed and ready to slaughter some opponents!

Last minute bout

My home league Bristol Roller Derby's Harbour Harlots will be bouting against Cardiff Roller Collective's Rude Birds this Saturday and I'm playing for the Harlots of course. This will nicely get me in the bouting mode for Toronto, where we may play twice a day against really tough teams. Get your tickets here: http://madamadari.com/crocs/SUPERSLAM/buytickets.htm

Five days to go

Big big thank you to everyone, friends, colleagues, family and companies, who've been helping me and Team Finland so far! Our fundraising efforts are far from over and will continue in Toronto (we'll be selling 'rare' Finnish derby t-shirts to the international fans). Everyone is very excited about our team. Check out how excited Megatron is...

The who's-playing-how draw was done last week (see http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2011/11/roller_derby_world_cup_groups_set) and we'll be playing against Australia and Germany. Before our games we'll get to watch when they bout against each other (great!). Germany are a tough team, but so are we. Australia is a bit unknown, but we'll have time to figure them out.

Insights from Chick!

Chick Dastardly, my friend and home league Bristol Roller Derby's Vice Chair, has written an really really nice blog post about ME! Check it out: http://chickdastardly.co.uk/rollerderby/blizzard-warning-issued-for-toronto/

Donations still taken!

Something to add to your photoshop fail blog.

Me and Team Finland are still taking donations to help us on our World Cup trip! If you want to donate to me, just click the button on the right. Check out Team Finland page (above) for a link to the team donations button,

Blocking with the bum

This is the 'anchor & pendulum' or 'tractor trailer' position. I'm holding my team mate from behind, helping my balance and getting that swinging motion in. It's cool, it works!

Team Finland practice on Friday 11 November:

"Lihaksia ja Luoteja" mixed bout in Tampere 12 November:

Photos by Marko Niemelä, Team Finland very Official Photographer!

Three weeks to go!

Time flies and this weekend is going to be the last time I see my Team Finland before joining them in Toronto. Three weeks from now and I'll be in Canada. But hey, I am feeling strong and positive:

What can I do in three weeks that will help me in the Cup? I shouldn't over-do exercise and wreck my body. Visualisation is good: the body and mind will learn without killing my muscles. I will practice block evasion techniques with other pedestrians on the street, train my reaction time at traffic lights, wall up in my sleep... I will read strategy until my head hurts.

Donate to Team Finland!

We need you. Show your support to the team by making a donation!

http://www.rollerderbyfinland.com/donate/

We have a team of 20 skaters and coaching staff going to the World Cup in Toronto in December 2011. Flights alone cost each skater between 500-700€. Add a week’s worth of accommodation and food to fuel this team to victory and it adds up to an investement of well over 2000€ each.
How can you help? Are you interested in supporting the team financially?

Dumptruck supports Team Finland

Go Finland!