Championnat National d'Ultimate

 
For a little bit, my life was 3 skipped days of class for a 22 hour road trip to Nantes in order to play a 36 hour French National Championship of Ultimate Frisbee. All that I'm left with is sore legs, memories, some photos of a suspension bridge and a dark video of my teammates rapping.

A scrappy Montpellierian crew left Wednesday afternoon to Nantes in a short bus with high hopes. After our arrival early in the morning, we checked into the hotel for just a little rest. Thursday morning we found ourself in an empty gym standing across from the biggest tools I have ever seen : huge thighs, short shorts and scum-staches. We lost the dirty match. Next team was an engineering school from Strasbourg and perhaps one of the most cordial teams I've ever met. And so the day and Friday went, 'skying' the different cities 25 minute matches at a time.

Overall we got 9th out of 15th; not-too-shabby considering we'd only practiced a total of two months together. France takes their frisbee serious, a concept a little difficult for me to grasp. However, through all the intense strategy talks, opponent evaluation cards and the bureaucratic pomp and circumstance; the true spirit of the silly game of frisbee lives on.

Long-weekend Lyon

Perhaps it was my awesome host and her friends; or the icy frozen rivers : Rhône and Saône; or maybe it was the view from Basilique Fourvière or the big city feel of Lyon that charmed me. At the base of the Alps I walked my feet off, found warmth in coffee shops, geeked out at the Musée des Beaux Arts, shopped markets and shoes and partied with the best of them (thanks guys!). Lyon is the third largest city in France but by the end, I felt we were solid acquaintances.

On the road... to the Ultimate Frisbee Championships of France

We (Team Montpellier III) set out on a three hour road trip to Lyon on Thursday to participate in the Ultimate Frisbee Regional Championships. We’re a motley crew of French guys serious about their frisbee, an anglo-man and two anglo-ladies. Lost in translation, yes. But on the volleyball courts (because we play indoors) most of the terms are English spoken with a French accent. Up becomes more like uap and dive is deyiveh. Starting the stall ‘compte … un … deux … ‘ is just part of the extra challenge.

Our next tournament will be in March in Nantes and I think we’ve got quite the chance for a winning weekend.