Nothing Can Stop The Funtastik Summer Classic

Neither rain, nor wind, nor mud, nor… well, you get the idea.  Tropical storm Ernesto gave it’s all on opening day at “The Classic”, but he was no match for the legball die hards that have been making this tournament great for 21 years.  Ernesto was beat down so badly he did not dare rear his ugly head on Sunday, and by Championship Monday he was long gone - weather perfect!

Footbag Net’s Super Power
Montreal Quebec Canada, brought 9 players to the tournament and they wound up qualifying for all 4 spots in the singles semi-finals and 3 of the 4 spots in doubles semis.

Emmanuel Bouchard, of Montreal Quebec, once again dominated the Open Singles Net event - winning the final match in 2 sets over his opponent, JF Lemieux.  While JF continues to improve and climb the International rankings at an impressive pace, he has yet to figure out Emmanuel, and he is in good company.  Emmanuel dazzled the crowd in the final match - time and again demonstrating his amazing ability to cover the court and gain control of the footbag before ruthlessly placing it on his opponents side with pinpoint accuracy.

This is Emmanuel’s 1,354th singles title in 1,355 tries.

Want more on net, a freestyle swan song, a little “h.o.f.iness”?

Summer Classics

2006 Funtastik and Beaver Open

First let me be clear, Ernesto is NOT welcome at Funtastik this year.  Surely Brenda and Joe would be happy to host anyone and everyone else, but Ernesto better stay away!

Please help us out and do a sun dance for Funtastik this weekend… please!

Ok, two of the longest running tournaments in footbag history take place this weekend.  The Funtastik Summer Classic in Harrisburg, PA is in its 20-something annual.  The 26th Annual Moonin/Noonin Beaver Open is taking place at the Oregon Country Fair site in Eugene, OR.

Players to watch and stories to follow are numerous.  To mention a few…

Beaver may be billed as the most fun that can be had at a footbag event and many of the sport’s most legendary players, such as Kenny Shults and Tricia George, are from USA’s Northwest region.  The great ones will surely be in attendance.  In fact, I think Tricia’s runnin the moonin noonin.

In the Classic’s golden years, early to mid 90’s, Funtastik was a sequal to the WFC and has always been a cutting edge freestyle tournament with an imppressive prize purse - for footbag .  This year’s Summer Classic is showing signs of a return to grand slam status with the strongest net contingent in 3 or 4 years committed to the event.  Montreal will be there in force, Chaos is sending a team, and of course the DC All Stars and team Net Wrecker, among others, will represent.

Funtastik’s shred will be off the hook as usual and Tuan Vu has picked this year’s event for his freestyle swan song.  It was fifteen years ago this weekend when the Disco Ninja performed his first competitve freestyle routine and we’re hoping to see him do a couple more at this event.  One more time Tuan!

to be continued…

Chaos Galleries - US Open

Many thanx to Jarno Terho for once again sharing some photographs with us!  You can check out his US Open gallery, and all other chaos galleries, via the link above.

Of course, thanks again to Ted Huff who also sent some great digital pictures to help us document last weekend�s action.

Also, you can see more of Jarno�s photography, not of a footbag nature, via the link below.  Beautiful work!

- Jarno Terho’s US Open Photos -
- Ted Huff’s US Open Photos -

- Jarno Terho’s Photography -

Weekend of Legends

(The 2006 US Open - continued)

Do you know the names Scott Mag Hughes, Dave Robinson, Tricia George, Ken Shults, and - uh - John Stalberger?  The US Open is simply over-flowing with footbag legends.  Many of them just stop by to make a cameo appearance, while others are still playing at the highest level and directing footbag events.  Make no mistake � there are probably more legends of the game showing up at the US Open than any other tournament in the world, except perhaps the Beaver Open.  Not too surprising I guess since Portland is real close to where it all started.  Again I must say - US Open rocks!  Considering it?  Get here next year.

Unless of course, you are forced to choose between The Green Cup Presented by Chaos or this event. 

US Open Essentials

I don’t have time for a full report today but hopefully I’ll get that out tomorrow.  For now know this -

The US Open rocked!  Many thx to Chris Siebert, Ethan Red Husted, Kendall Kic, and their staff for putting together this event and being such great hosts.

Kenny Shults is back - again!  He defeated Jake Leong in the final of open singles.  He also won the open doubles net title with partner - Chaos #3 - El Presidente - PT Lovern.  They defeated Chaos #4, John Leys, and Chaos #5 Eric Wulff, in a roller coaster 3 game championship match (15-7, 11-15, 15-11).

ahem ~ 3 of the top 4 open doubles players are team Chaos ~ ahem Woo Hoo! 

The women are back!  Six of the all time greatest women net players were at the US Open to play in the mixed doubles, open doubles, and the women’s division.  How long has it been since Tricia George, Becca English-Ross, Jody Welch, Julie Symons, Lisa McDaniel, and Evanne ‘not registered at footbag.org’ Lamarche were on the same field for competition?  Here’s to hoping we’ll see them more often in the coming season.  Jody Welch and Julie Symons won the women’s title taking the final match over Becca English-Ross and Tricia George.

Tournament director Chris Siebert and Tricia George won the open mixed doubles title defeating Jody Welch and Eric Wulff (15-13, 15-7).

I’ll be back with more tomorrow including some pictures, honest

US Open This Weekend!

The US Open is back!  Again!  And they’re upping the anti big time.  This time round Chris, Kendall, Red, and the rest of the Portland crew are offering freestyle for the first time.  What’s up wit dat?  Okay, besides that little distraction, mixed doubles and women’s net events look to be back too.  I can’t wait!

Chaos will be representing with at least 7.  It will be an epic weekend for sure - kicking and partying with friends.  The weather is sure to be perfect in Portland this time of year.  Still, I’m bringing my rain gear just in case .  I’ll try to post some details.  If you’re not attending I wish you great weather for a kick in your area this weekend.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.  The rankings for this past season just completed at the WFC in Frankfurt are now complete.  Check them out via the link above.  I’ll be back soon to go over them and the system and the system’s future in detail.