Sebastien Laffargue of World Slalom Series reports that the first Battle Buenos Aires was a success with 35 competitors, primarily from Argentina. Brazil, Bolivia and France also had participant skaters. The women's battle has been delayed until next Friday. But, these are the top five results, so far:

Battle Men :

1.Gonzalez Braian - Argentina
2.Kobayashi Marcelo - Brazil
3.Lays Damian - Argentina
4.Villarreal Alvaro - Argentina
5ex.Lays Alejandro - Argentina
5ex.Morgado Rodrigo - Brazil

Speed Slalom Women :
1. Malladott Andrea - Argentina
2. Pastorini Valeria - Argentina
3. Lara Natalia - Argentina
4. Canepa Fernanda - Argentina
5. Sobrino Augustina - Argentina

Speed Slalom Men :
1. Iriarte Alejandro - Argentina
2. Villarreal Alvaro - Argentina
3. Kobayashi Marcelo - Brazil
4. Palermo Alejandro - Argentina
5. Lays Damian - Argentina

Visit the World Slalom Series Battle Buenos Aires 2009 site for complete results.

The 2009 Roller Figure Skating World Championship in Freiburg, Germany certainly had more ups than downs. There was the great floor for the Juniors and Inline events, skaters sharing equipment, cheering wars between countries (a good thing) and lots of team spirit between members in each country as well as international bonding. The equipment manufacturers and vendors were set up in an exhibition hall that had a mall-like atmosphere. Food on and off-site was excellent. Transportation services were well thought out. The Messe Freiburg Convention Center venue was well appointed, and on the final event days the house was sold out. Like everyone else, I had a chance to see old friends from around the world and make some new ones, too.

Now here's another reminder that the next big inline figure skating event will be the Open International de Paris in January, 2010. Please support this event, hosted by Jean-Pierre Faugère, to help grow the inline figure sports and have fun in France while you do it.

If you have inline skating event or performance information for any discipline send it via email for possible inclusion in the inlineskating site.

The 2009 Senior Figure World Championships are officially started at the Messe Freiburg Convention Center in Freiburg, Germany. Join me at the events via Rollersports TV by registering and activating your account. Then view the streaming video schedule to find the events you want to see.

Great moments are shared at competitions, sometimes due to a little trauma. The floor conditions were good, no one got sick and thank goodness there were no injuries. But, when Courtney Donovan damaged an inline wheel at her practice for the Inline Ladies Singles event and didn't have a matching spare, her coach, Rene Johnson, and her mom were in a bit of a panic. Vivian Moreira came to the rescue and helped connect Courtney's mom with one of her Brazilian teammates - Diego Dores - who had a spare wheel and was willing to give it to Courtney in time to repair her equipment and skate the event. Way to go Team Brazil!

If all roller sports athletes and countries can show this level of excellent sportsmanship towards their competition, the goodwill alone will attract more skaters and build our sport.