Name: James Albrecht
Nickname: Jim
Age: 57
Marital Status: Married
Have been skating for how long: Child Life - A few years as a teen on quads. Adult Life - 7 years on Inlines and Quads.
Equipment Brand and Type: Luigino F-1 Vertigo Quad Boots - Powerdyne Reactor Pro plates - Piper Legend Firm wheels. Bont Full Custom Vaypor Inline boots- Outdoor - Powerslide Triple xxx 4x110 frames - Piper Vie xxfirm wheels. Pinnacle Full Custom Inline boots - Indoor - CatoMotus HiLo Frame 3x110 1x100 - Piper Legend Xfirm wheels.
Life Philosophies: Give back to the skating community any way I can. Example: I have started coaching to help the new kids and adults wanting to learn speed skating.
Favorite Time of Day to Skate: Anytime I can!
Favorite Skating Event: Any outdoor events, Marathons, USARS National Track and Road events.
Awards/Competitive Wins: 2022 2nd overall win in Track and Road Nationals. 2023 1st overall in Track and Road Nationals. Marathons, a finish is a big win!
Most Memorable Incident: Battle of Bear Creek challenge. I completed my first Half Marathon with engery to help a teammate finish after I was done.
What do you get from Skating: Skating is what I do to escape a personal tragedy 4.5 years ago. Without skating I may have gone in a wrong direction with my life. Now I keep going to help others, especially children, in their quest to learn speed skating. This somehow fills a void in my life.
Would like to do this Year in Skating: This year I am only doing our local region indoor/outdoor meets, no Nationals. I will soon begin training for 3 Marathons this year. Apostle Island Marathon, Northshore Marathon and The Floriday Inline Marathon.
Coolest Accomplishment: I learned to Inline skate when all I knew was Quad skating.
Other Sports/Hobbies you Enjoy: Now days it is all about skating. When I was younger I learned to Road Race motorcyles, then started drag racing them. All for fun! I do love to drive fast cars as well! I also do some biking for cross training.
Favorite skating gadget/tool: Bearing Press! Can't get bearings in and out of aluminum hubs without one!
What do you enjoy about being a member of HCIC: I enjoy hanging out with the other members of HCIC and skating with them.
Mentors: I have lots within the skating community. Stever Rogers, Bill Harrison, Neil MacPherson to name a few.
Helpful advice to other skaters/ Beginners: JYou are never too old to learn how to skate! I started Inline speed skating when I was 50.
Favorite quote: Give Back!