Contact: Ann O’Brien, 608.219.7428, madison.uni.ann@gmail.com
Lynn Welch, 608.206.2827, lmrwelch@gmail.com
Unicyclists from across North America to display skills
(Madison, WI)- The Unicycling Society of America holds its 2011 North America Unicycling Convention & Championships (NAUCC) July 23-30 in Madison. This event will bring some 250 unicyclists from across North America to Madison to compete in a wide variety of contests, as well as participate in riding workshops and fun events at a variety of venues in Madison and Dane County.
Unicyclists from beginner to expert level will compete in individual and team riding skill events including artistic freestyle, street and flatland, track and distance racing, trials and mountain unicycling. Held since 1973, NAUCC is the largest gathering of unicycle enthusiasts in North America with activities for unicyclists of all ages and skill levels. Competitions feature unicyclists who ride for fun to those competing for a 2011 National Championship title.
“We’re excited to bring this major event to Madison. People here are in for a real treat,” says Ann O’Brien, president of the Madison Unicyclists, the local host and organizing group for the event. “From unicycle basketball to the remarkable stunts of trials, and creative artistic events, there’s nothing else like nationals anywhere.”
Registration and riding workshops begin July 23 at the Goodman Community Center in Madison. Highlights opening day include a unicycle parade from the Goodman Center to Yahara Place Park at 1 p.m., and a criterium road race at the park at 2 p.m. All events are free and open for public spectating.
Among other events scheduled:
* Artistic competitions: Expert individuals compete 5 p.m. Monday followed by expert groups, while expert pairs compete 12 p.m. Wednesday at Monona Grove High School
* Hockey finals 6 p.m. and basketball finals 7 p.m. Tuesday at Monona Grove High School
* Track: 8-11 a.m. Thursday at Monona Grove High School
* Mountain unicycling: Starts 9 a.m. Friday at CamRock Park near Cambridge
* 10K race: 9 a.m. Saturday starting at Vilas Park proceeding around Lake Wingra and through the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.
Find out more about events at the 2011 NAUCC website, uninationals.com . This event is organized and brought to Madison by the Madison Unicyclists, an all-ages unicycle group that supports interest in the activity through instruction, events and performances. Learn about the group at its website, maduni.com .
