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Movie premier supports cycling National Championships

Two screenings of 'Pure Sweet Hell' cyclocross film planned to raise funds for Collegiate National Track Championships; filmmaker, 'Cross National Champion to attend.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. (January 29, 2005) – Newly crowned Women's National Cyclocross Champion and four-time Paralympic Medalist Katie Compton will join filmmaker Brian Vernor for the Midwestern premier of Vernor's cyclocross epic Pure Sweet Hell in February, a benefit to support the 2005 Collegiate National Track Cycling Championships.

Two screenings are planned by the Northbrook Cycle Committee (NCC), organizers of the Championships and the preceding Collegiate Track Camp. The first, scheduled for Wednesday evening, February 16, will take place at 7 p.m. at 1035 West Lake Street, 2nd Floor, in Chicago, with tickets available at the door for $5.

Compton (Cody Racing/ProCycling) is the featured speaker at the second screening at 6:30 p.m. the next evening, Thursday, February 17. Hosted at EJ's Place restaurant, 10027 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, Ill., the event will feature a benefit raffle of merchandise from retailers Bokoo Bikes, Alberto's Cycles, Turin Bicycle, Yojimbo's Garage, and distributor Trialtir USA. Tickets are $50 in advance, $75 at the door, and include dinner; reservations can be e-mailed to guerciotti@comcast.net and require payment in advance of the event (sorry only checks accepted). Please make checks payable to Northbrook Cycle Committee and mail them to NCC c/o Franco Panveno, 515 Hill St., Highland Park, IL 60035.

The 2005 Collegiate National Track Cycling Championships will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 on the newly renovated Ed Rudolph Northbrook Park District Velodrome, located just north of Chicago in suburban Northbrook. The NCC will also host racers from throughout the country at the Collegiate Track Camp, Sept. 11-12, in advance of the Championships.

"We're excited to have the best collegiate racers in the country coming to showcase the new track," said Peter Janunas, NCC president. "Bringing Brian's work to Chicago, and having Katie speak, is a great way to raise funds to make it happen. Just as the movie and Katie's victories were labors of love, so too was it a labor of love for the cycling community to save the Velodrome last year."

Filmed over the past two seasons, Pure Sweet Hell is beautifully shot on Super8mm and seeks to answer the question, "What is cyclocross?" Capturing the essence of the passionate and unique 'cross community, the film features the incredible action of top U.S. racers as they brave freezing temperatures, ankle-deep mud, and natural and man-made barriers while riding and running some of the toughest courses in the nation.

Compton is a relative newcomer to that top level: although she had raced cyclocross at a local level, her 2004 win at Nationals in Portland upset the sport's domestic elite. A member of the Cody Racing/ProCycling team and sponsored by Scott Bikes, the 26-year-old is – first and foremost – the sighted pilot for a Paralympic tandem racing team. Together with partner Karissa Whitsell, Compton won two Gold Medals and one each Silver and Bronze last year in Athens. Eligibility requirements prevent Compton from competing in most national-level 'cross races, and her preparation for Nationals was primarily made up of racing in men's events near her home in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Chris Henning, NCC Secretary, was instrumental in working with Vernor and Compton to make the event a reality. "Once I heard about the movie, I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to support the Championships," he said. "All of our event sponsors are long-time supporters of the Velodrome, and it's fantastic to be able to bring together the Chicago-area cycling community like this again."

This is not the first time the NCC has enlisted the aid of the cyclocross community: Under the threat of losing the track, the committee launched the "Save the Velodrome" campaign in August 2003, an effort that eventually raised nearly $230,000 to complete repairs at the 46-year-old facility. Some of that money was raised at the Northbrook Bicycle Club's "Save the 'Drome Cyclocross Madness," a race on nearby Park District land. The event has since become an annual competition, with proceeds going to help ensure the future of the Velodrome.

Excellent! We've got two screenings of "Pure Sweet Hell", dinner with filmmaker Brian Vernor and Cycling Super Star Katie Compton at EJ's Place (excellent vittles!) and our first fundraiser for our hosting of the 2005 Collegiate Track Nationals!

First- if you haven't seen the trailer or read the reviews yet... Get to it!

Next- Check this out for an interview with Brian Vernor.

Finally- I previously referred to Ms. Compton as a "Cycling Super Star"... This is no exageration, though we might not know much about her...

I was first captivated by her story when I read CyclingNews.com and VeloNews.com after the National Championships December 12. Who was this new National Champion and where did she come from?

Katie Compton (best interview ever) is not new to bicycle competition. As a matter of fact- she's cycled around the banking of velodromes all over the world, since being introduced to T-Town when she was 12 years old. She made waves with the International Scene when CTS paired her up with blind cyclist Karissa Whitsell to compete at the Paralympic World Championships in 2002. Since then, the pair has won 7 World Championship Medals (4 Gold, 3 Silver) and 4 Paralympic Medals (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) last year in Athens... As well as setting the new World Record in the 3k pursuit at the Olympic Stadium, not mentioning the two World Records the dual set in previous competitions. Because her involvement with Paralympic competition is the priority- she must pass on chances to take part in UCI sanctioned events and cannot sign with any UCI registered team. Is Katie Compton a Super Star or what?! What else can I say... She rides a Co-Motion!

I can't wait 'til the screenings and benefit dinner 16&17 February!

After a few people inquired- I contacted Karissa Whitsell to see if we could get her out here for the benefit dinner as well. She was flattered by the invitation but had to decline because of midterm tests. Best of luck Karissa!

Riding 'round the 'drome every night will do that to you.

ABOUT THE NORTHBROOK CYCLE COMMITTEE (NCC)

The Northbrook Cycle Committee (NCC) (northbrookvelodrome.org) is an organization of riders, fans, and officials that organizes and promotes Thursday Night Racing at the Northbrook Park District Ed Rudolph Velodrome. Devoted to bike advocacy within Northbrook, Ill., the NCC helps the Park District maintain the Velodrome and is a member of the Northbrook Historical Society and the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce.

Editorial inquiries only:
Peter Janunas
773.386.7383
infoncc@yahoo.com