Interview with Tough Cookies’ Gori Spelling- Tix on sale now for Tough Cookies vs. Varsity Brawlers April 17!

Photo by Charlie Shutterthug Chu

Gori Spelling is the co-captain of the Tough Cookies and an All-Star blocker and jammer.  We talked to Gori about the Cookies’ venerable history, the challenges ahead, and why the Cookies aren’t giving up their status as Champs any time soon. 

You can see Gori and the Tough Cookies take on the Varsity Brawlers on Saturday April 17- tickets are on sale NOW here.     

Q:  The Cookies are LA Derby Dolls’ first repeat champions.  How do you plan to continue your dominance in 2010? 

GS:  I think that never underestimating our opponents and tailoring our practices towards what we think will help us defeat each specific team is key. 

Q:  The last time VB played the Tough Cookies  (October 2009), the Cookies won by 35 points.  Do you think that this game will be any different?

GS:  Both teams have a 1-0 record, so neither want to leave the track on the 17th as the team who got defeated.  Of course we would hope for a large point spread like the last time we played, but VB has improved so much since then that we are anticipating a close game.

Q:  You’ve been a Tough Cookie since 2007.  How has the team changed over the last few years? 

GS:  The spirit of the team is the same today as it was in 2007 when I became a Cookie.  We're the fun team and I think that having a good time while playing this game is key.  Iron Maiven has been the captain since 2006, which gives us consistency, and we're lucky to have such a great leader who motivates us to be our best!

Q:  What are the biggest challenges that the Tough Cookies will face in 2010?

GS:  It's a lot of pressure to be defending Champs; every other team wants to take us down.  We just need to stay one step ahead and keep learning.  

Q:  Which Brawler are you looking forward to hitting hardest? 

GS:  Not anyone in particular!  Just whoever is in my way or my jammers’ way!

Q:  Why should fans root for the Cookies on April 17? 

GS:  Why not!?  Have you met us?  The Tough Cookies LOVE our fans! 

Q:  Describe the 2010 Tough Cookies in 5 words or less.

GS:  2010 DO FOR IT AGAIN!

Interview with Tough Cookies co-captain GORI SPELLING - Oct. 3 bout on sale now

Get to know...the Tough Cookies. Reigning champions, the Tough Cookies are led by Iron Maiven and Gori Spelling. One of the top jammers in the league, Gori is known for her athletic abilities, positive attitude and being the only skater who can properly rock a mohawk. Gori talks to us about the pressures of being champions and how the Cookies will take down the Varsity Brawlers. See the two teams LIVE on Saturday, OCTOBER 3. Get your tickets now at www.derbydolls.com/la

Q: How long have you been a skater and how did you become involved with the L.A. Derby Dolls?
GS: I went to my first fresh meat practice in September of 2006. I had been looking for something athletic to do and came across an online ad for a derby league. I did some searching online and found the LA Derby Dolls. I had never seen a bout before, but I could tell from the web site that this was the sport for me. I had previously been on an ice hockey team and did a lot of ‘aggressive inline skating’ during my high school years, so derby seemed like a great next step!

Q: What skaters past and present do you admire?
GS: My derby hero is Iron Maiven. She does so much for the league and is so good at all of it. She also has a full time job and I just have no idea how she fits it all in. Maiven is such a positive, fun leader and I hope she skates forever!

Q: You and your teammate, Laguna Beyatch, are one of the most formidable 1-2 combinations in the league. Are the two of you ever competitive with one another? How do you continue to drive each other?
GS: I don’t feel competitive with her at all on the track. We really work together and support each other…and we usually plan in advance to wear matchey outfits at practice…so I guess that’s our secret. Laguna and I got drafted to the Tough Cookies at the same time and we’ve just been BFFs since! We do get competitive when it comes to shopping though!

Q: The Tough Cookies have a personality all their own in the league, and have earned the reputation as not only the "fun team," but as one of the most strategic and intelligent teams. Tell us how you and captain Iron Maiven maintain high standards for the team and develop the chemistry that is your secret to success.
GS: As a team, we are really tight. We hang out together outside of practice quite a bit and I think that helps a lot to how fluid we can be on the track. Maiven always has new drills for us to try, new videos for us to learn from and she always keeps it fun.

Q: As reigning champions, do you feel pressure to repeat? How do you feel about the dominance of the Swarm who are currently 3-0?
GS: I think any team that was last year’s champions would feel pressure to repeat. The nice thing about playing the Swarm last is that we’ve been able to watch our other home teams skate against them and evaluate what works and what doesn’t.

Q: The Varsity Brawlers are coming off a major win (in addition to a huge near-upset of the Sirens), a serious feat for a first-season team. Given what a roll they are on, how will you combat their style?
GS: Trash-talking Long Island Lolita is my personal combat tactic.

Q: For being a self-professed "Diva Jammer," you are remarkably humble and lowkey both on and off the track. What exactly do you do to earn such a reputation as a Diva Jammer?
GS: Yeah, good point. ;) I am probably the least ‘Diva’ of the ‘Diva Jammers’ at the moment. I have vanity ‘Diva Jammer’ license plates though…doesn’t that count for anything? Are you suggesting I act out a bit? Do you want me to throw my iPhone at you?

L.A. DERBY DOLLS BANKED TRACK ROLLER DERBY ACTION ON OCTOBER 3 PREPARES FANS FOR RELEASE OF DREW BARRYMORE’S “WHIP IT”

Undefeated Champions Tough Cookies Prepare to “Whip It” Good To First-Season Varsity Brawlers; Tickets On Sale Now For Saturday, October 3 Event

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la), Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, anticipate the chance to demonstrate the thrill of the spill to new and seasoned derby fans as the Tough Cookies take on the Varsity Brawlers on Sat., Oct. 3 at the Doll Factory (1910 Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90026).  This event threatens to be a fierce and competitive bout as it arrives on the heels of the much anticipated movie, “Whip It,” directed by and starring Drew Barrymore.

The 2008 champions, the Tough Cookies, under the brute leadership of captains Iron Maiven and Gori Spelling, are currently undefeated and with the quickness and agility they’ve been exhibiting they have no plans to let this title slip away. Their aggressive, no-holds barred approach to scoring points establishes them as a formidable opponent. The team also features co-stars from the film “Whip It,” Iron Maiven and Krissy Krash.

The new gals on the block, Varsity Brawlers, have done their homework over the summer break and are coming off a huge win against the Fight Crew, a major feat for a first season team.  Led by captains Long Island Lolita and Razorslut, the outstanding and outlandish women in purple have proven their mettle. This tenacious team is known for their teamwork and heart.

The energy at the Doll Factory is at an all-time high.  With roller derby exploding onto the big screen, these two teams have the guts and the glory to show Southern California that not even Hollywood could script anything as exciting as roller derby.

The youthful and vibrant band, Kitten, will perform at halftime, with DJ Kasey Bomber supplying the tunes. Derby Dolls events offer a full range of entertainment off the track, with the Vendor Village featuring art, jewelry and clothes, food from Garage Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick, and beer from Tecate and Alex’s Bar.

Tickets are now available to purchase at http://www.derbydolls.com/la. General admission tickets are $17 online and $20.00 at the door; VIP tickets are $40.00. The Doll Factory is located at 1910 Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Alvarado and Union). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and closes at half time. General parking is available for $8 at Silver Lake Medical Center, 1711 West Temple (near the intersection of Temple and Union), one block east of the Doll Factory. This is a 21 and over event, featuring beer and wine. Please have your ID, leave your cameras/recording devices at home, and note that all concessions and most vendors accept cash only.