Monday, January 28, 2008

Calen Cristiani (From Jim Cole)


IMG_3139, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Just got a phone call from Tino Cristiani telling me that his 18 year old son Calen did extremely well at a speed skating competition in Cleveland, OH this past weekend. Calen works in the Cristiani Bros. trampoline act along with his brother Mateo and his dad. They had just done the Saginaw, MI date, and stopped in Cleveland on the way back to FL.

Calen took a sudden interest in speed skating 2 years ago, and has been training at an ice rink in Kissimmee, FL. He previously had very little experience on the ice, however his circus / gymnastics background gave him the balance and leg strength to go into this difficult sport. There is an article about him in www.Circus4Youth.org Look in FEATURES.

Calen placed first in the 1000 meter race, and was well on his way to winning additional events. However a very rough ice surface caused he and many other skaters to fall. He non the less logged some very impressive speed times in his first ever competitive event.

Calen Cristiani entered the race virtually unknown by his co-racers and event organizers. They sure know who that "Circus Acrobat Guy" is now! His father is hoping to attract a sponsor for Calen, perhaps within the circus community.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

From which original Christiani is this young man a discendant?
Quite impressive to get so far so quick. Good luck!
BG Dallas

Anonymous said...

Calen is the grandson of Lucio and Gilda Cristiani

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mr. Cole
BG Dallas

Anonymous said...

I would be more than pleased to Sponsor....However...My Sponsorship Funds are currently tied up with a Knights of Columbus Bowling League Team in Wausau Wisconsin....(they are currently in 2nd place) Yet I would like to wish Calen much Success..and am Quite sure a Prominant Circus person will step Forward.....Jim Zajicek Proud Sponsor of the "Big Circus Sideshow Bowling Team"

Anonymous said...

I had forgotten to mention that Calen's ultimate goal is the 2010 Winter Olympics. What an honor for the American circus if he makes it, especially with the Cristiani name!

There have been a few Olympic athletes that have later gone on to perform in the circus, but never the other way around.

Jimmy Cole