The following is from memory so is probably mostly right. I would
encourage others to write additional summaries.
Racing:
In the womens events, Amy Edwards, Abby Cernkovich, and Dana Schnieder
battled for first in various races. They each took some. If I remember
correctly, Amy was overall champ. Dana broke several world records.
In the mens events John Foss and Andy Cotter duelled with showings
by andy Schwarz, Ed MOffet, and Adam Potvin.
In all, over 70 NUC age group records were broken in spite of bad
conditions; hot, humid, and gusty headwinds.
In my age group (40 +), I was unable to beat my rival James Green
in spite of training and losing 15 pounds. I broke several
of Jame's records, but he broke them also. Ken Fuchs is now 40
and he established new records in almost all events. New competitors
Dirk Iwema and Dick Devine had respectable shownings and are bound
to be serious contenders next year.
Standard Artistic:
This event is starting to mature with over 70 riders participating.
Andy Schwarz, 15, smoked all competitors performing nearly perfectly and
achieving a score of 260. His skill list include coasting and gliding.
He did not have to leave the outer box to gain enough speed to
sucessfully execute these skills.
Dana Schneider won the womens with close competition from the two
older Norris girls (Sorry I can't keep their names straight).
James Green provided John Foss and I a good laugh when after asking
about my potential score stated that his was up there over 200 also:>)
If you don't understand the humor in this, you need to study the
Standard Artistic rule book. Unfortunately Jame's actual score
was not up there over 200.
Freestyle:
Constance Cotter regained her Expert Freestyle title. Dana Schnieder
came in second. Dana performed some very difficult giraffe skills
including a mount into a side saddle ride (I think that's what it's
called). Unfortunately she fell on her initial try pretty much
giving up first.
Bill Karbo was hot all weekend and easily clinched first. He did
things that don't have names and performed almost flawlessly.
Constance and Bill wons pairs with a flawless and extremily
difficult routine that featured one handed hand wheel walk,
standup pull glide, and lots of interesting poses like leg extended
touching each other and other leg crossed. Andy Cotter and Dana
Schnieder also performed a flawless and difficult and well as
a very well choregraphed routine. They could have won if
Connie and Bill had falter in the slightest.
Since I had no real competition in my age group (2 level 1 riders)
I decided to go Expert. My crowd pleasing imitation of Forrest
Gump earned fifth. Prior to the event my friends and family were
starting to call me grump, as the self induced tension did not
have a positive effect on me.
Club Competition
The Twin City Unicycle Club (Of which I am a member) took first
with a routine that featured German flying twirl eggbeaters,
temple of doom (weird name for one rider standing up on frame
and spun by two riders holding their hands while 4 other riders go
under their arms. We had all 27 riders doing wheel walk twirls
with some going backwards. We also did kid pickups on giraffes
(where 2 giraffe riders pick up a small person by each arm and
twirl)
Parade:
WOW won again with their beautiful giraffes and sharp costumes.
Group:
Five+ (WOW) won featuring pull glides and precision manuevers.
Missing:
The Puerto Ricans. It wasn't quite the same without them. Hope
you can make it next year. I didn't see anyone sideways wheel walk
at the meet. The Puerto Ricans are masters and can do it with
one foot on the seat!
Public Show:
Brett Bernard did a super job in organizing perhaps the best public
show ever. Karbo was emcee performing one of his 1000 numbered
skills between each act. The audience would call out a number and
Bill would perform the associated skill. Bill, how do you remember
which skill goes with that many numbers?
I had a great time, met many new friends, renewed old friendships,
and am looking forward to next year in Iowa,
Bill Gilbertson