Quiet Before The Storm?

As can be expected, the weather is perfect here at the US Open.  Summers in Portland generally means 70 - 80 degree weather with clear skies.  Even the breeze is mild.  We couldn’t ask for better conditions or a nicer field.

We have about 25 registered net players.  The top 4 seeds in Open doubles advanced to the semi-final round on day one.

The highlight doubles match of the day was the quarter final Open Doubles between PT Lovern and Jack Harris, Chaos #3 and 13, VS Pat Keehan, Chaos #0, and NPR’s Dave Bernard.  After falling behind in each game 6-1 PT and Jack pulled out the match 11-8, 12-10.

In Open Singles Tuan Vu and Tricia George had a battle in singles pool play with Tuan pulling out the victory in 3 sets.

The field is small this year with Chris Siebert and Kenny Shults sitting out.

So, the semis are set.

Open Doubles:
Pt Lovern*/Jack Harris* VS John Leys*/Eric Wulff* hey - that’s me
Kenny Shults/Alexis Deschenes* VS Chris Siebert/Steve Dusablon

Open Singles:
John Leys*/Tricia George
Tuan Vu*/Alexis Deschenes*

Let’s Get It On!

* designates Team Chaos

3 Out of 5 Ain't Bad

But It Ain't Good Enough

Gilles Demers and Francois Depatie-Pelletier won their first Open Doubles tournament today taking the East Coast Championship Match over Chaos #4, John Leys, and Chaos #5, Eric Wulff(hey - that’s me) - 11-15, 15-7, 15-7.

Eric and John won their pool and held the top seed by defeating Gilles and Francois in straight sets 11-8, 11-6 - finishing both games with an emphatic roll spike .  Another powerful roll from #5 off a perfect set from #4 broke a 13-11 deadlock helping to bring John and Eric victory in game one of the Championship Match.  But it’s best 2 out of 3 and Montreal A took their game to another level during game 2, perhaps for the first time in the tournament, and John and Eric couldn’t match them this time.  While there were some truly amazing rallies, and I’d like to think it still was an entertaining match - the spectators were sure acting like it was - Gilles and Francois turned on their defense and seemed to win all the important rallies from the middle of game 2 on.

On their way to the doubles final John and Eric defeated Phil Lessard and Renaud Fanoni of Montreal, Quebec 15-7, 15-3.

Gilles and Francois pulled out a close Semi-Final against Yves Archambault and JF Lemieux 10-15, 15-13, 16-14.

John Leys prevented a Montreal sweep by defeating JF Lemieux for the Singles Championship 11-5, 6-11, 11-6.

Gilles Demers defeated Yves Archambault for the bronze medal 16-14.

Highlights of the weekend include the 2 bands that rocked out in Vince’s basement on Saturday night.  Check out Maple and Vince is the bass player for boxcar collision

A very special thanks to tournament director and host of many players - Vince Bradley.  He put in allot of hard work and some personal cash not to mention hosting many folks at his house while entertaining them with a free concert in his basement.  Again, see the bands above and support those who support footbag if you can.  Maple’s CD gets a rave review from VB.

Thanks to Max for your hospitality too.  Thanks to Peter Irish and Pat Keehan and the entire ECFC staff.

Of course, I can’t sign off without mentioning the greatest prize ever to be given out for a freestyle event - 64oz of generic brand Prune Juice from concentrate to the winner of the sick 3 contest.  Who won?  Who cares?  That prize speaks for itself.  No?  What?  Yeah, well.

East Coast Footbag Championships - Day 1

Today’s weather was nearly perfect for footbag here at day 1 of the 2007 ECFC.  It was singles Saturday and all matches went off without a hitch - in that we made it all the way through to the final which will be played tomorrow.

Chaos #4, John Leys, defeated Montreal’s Gilles Demers in straight sets 15-7, 15-2.  On the other side of the bracket it was JF over Yves 15-6, 15-6.
Also of chaos note - Tuan Vu defeated Phil Lessard 13-11, 10-12, 11-6 to secure the top spot in bracket B - 9th position.

Doubles starts at 9am Sunday morning and the seeding is complete and listed below including the pool setup which includes some flopping to avoid inconsequential matches during pool play.

Doubles Seeding and Pools:
1. John Leys*/Eric Wulff*
2. Yves Archambault/JF Lemieux
3. Gilles Demers/ Francois Depatie-Pelletier
4. Pat Keehan*/Cory Current
5. Philippe Lessard/Renaud Fanoni
6. Tuan Vu*/Marilyn Demuy
7. Greg Nice/Anthony Intemann
8. Jim Hankins/Errol Stryker

* designates Team Chaos

Pools A: 1, 3, 6, 8
Pools B: 2, 4, 5, 7

Road Trip!

For like the umpteenth time since I started playing footbag I’m off on a road trip for a weekend tournament.  This time it’s the 24th Annual East Coast Footbag Championships.  What is my problem?  I’m still about as excited as when I was just starting out.  Well, that explains why I’ll be babbling here whenever I get a chance - which means… well I really don’t know how often I’ll get a chance.  I’m not playing singles which theoretically gives me time to post competition status periodically over the weekend.  Now I just need to find the grid when I need it.

So, John, Carine, and myself hit the road.  Newark to Silver Spring and pickin up Cory Current at BWI along the way.  Pat Keehan is already in the DC house I believe and Chaos #7, Tuan Vu, flies in on a red eye early tomorrow morning.  Now that’s Hard Core!

East Coast!  Montreal representing!  Chaos representing!  DC All-Stars - um - err - well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

Late!

Ocean County Clippers Arise

Footbag enthusiasts from around North America will come together this weekend in Silver Spring, MD for the 24th annual East Coast Footbag Championships.

All the more apropos that on June 27th, 2007 the powers that be, members of Ocean County Clippers - Original Recipe, unanimously approved an application to resurrect The Ocean County Clippers that was submitted by footbag enthusiasts from Toms River, NJ and the surrounding area.

Your eyes do not deceive you.  This is no joke.  And although laughter it may bring make no mistake… The Ocean County Clippers are back.  Yes my friends - The Ocean County Clippers - Redux!

Members OCC Redux:
Liam Coffey - Toms River, NJ
Brandon Carney - Toms River, NJ
Vinny Mahon - Toms River, NJ
Gabe Whiteman - Silverton, NJ
Vincent Marsicano - Silverton, NJ
Justin Rivera - Toms River, NJ
Alex Wheeler - Toms River, NJ

Members OCC Classic:
Mike Gonzales - Beachwood, NJ
Dan Luciano - Beachwood, NJ
Richard Marshall - Beachwood, NJ
Ed Orlando - Toms River, NJ
Russ Thomas - Toms River, NJ
Russ Willi - Pine Beach, NJ
Eric Wulff - Beachwood, NJ

honorary:
Jeff Lawrence - Ridley Park, PA
Steve Lawrence - Ridley Park, PA

Ocean County Clippers fw club link

Of course, many of you reader(s) may not be familiar with the exploits of the Ocean County Clippers All Around Footbag Team, I dare you to comment if you have , but this was a virtual footbag promotion juggernaut from the mid 1980’s to the early 1990’s.  OCC got their start at The East Coast Footbag Championshps back when the event was produced and directed by HOF members Rick Kaufman and then, yours truly(what the hell does that mean anyway?), Eric, Chaos #5, Wulff.

The event is now directed by none other than the great and procrastinating master himself - Vince Bradley.  It is Vince’s 13th year directing the event - Nice Vince!  Perhaps this year’s event will serve as a launching pad for OCC Redux.  I can only hope .

Regardless, tune in here for the latest on what’s going on at the ECFC since Chaos Footbag is representing strong.  Chaos #0, 4, 5, 7 and honorary Current are in town to throw it down.

Check Out The Euros Teaser

And then don’t forget to check out the 9th Annual IFPA European Footbag Championships.