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"What makes a sport fun, successful, and engaging? What's the secret of Ultimate Frisbee's success? How can a sport not need referees at the highest competitive level? Jason Parker explains what makes Ultimate Frisbee unique in this dynamic talk." - TEDx

This week in local and regional ultimate

LOCAL:

Tuesday, 6:30pm, Veterans Freedom: 

We will play pick-up in the rain, and we will layout in the rain.
We will not play pick-up in the lightning, and we will go home to our safe houses when there is lightning.
Let's hope for the former, and not the latter.

Thursday, 6:30pm, Veterans Freedom:

We will play pick-up in the sun, and we will throw hucks in the sun.

REGIONAL:

Thursday, 7:30pm, Breese Stevens Field (Madison):

Madison Radicals vs. Japan Buzz Bullets
This is going to be a great game of an AUDL team vs. a world powerhouse.  The Buzz Bullets don't come to the midwest often, so now might be a good time to see them.

Saturday/Sunday, National Sports Complex (Minneapolis area)

USAU TCT Proflight Finale
The top club teams in the country finish out the regular season with a very competitive tournament.

Saturday/Sunday, Reddan Soccer Park (Madison)

Broflight Finale
The other top open teams in the country play pretty competitively as well.

Olympics, here we come!

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) has been officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This means that ultimate can get IOC funding and can compete with other sports for inclusion in future Olympic games.

“This is an incredible milestone in the 30 year history of WFDF and a further important step for our International Federation in the development of our sport worldwide,” WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch said in a statement. “Today’s decision will give a further boost to our efforts to increasing the presence of Flying Disc sports in all countries and on all continents.”

(paraphrased from time online)

Ultimate at Sundance

An 8-minute film about Ultimate in India won an award at the Sundance Festival.

Read about the filmmaker and watch the film here!

Sale on Ultimate discs

If you're running low on discs, today might be the day to replenish your supply.  The Disc Store is selling Discraft Ultra-Stars for $6 each until today at midnight.

Head over and use the coupon code GARAGESALE14 for an extra 10% off.

And after you've put in your order, go outside and throw.  It's a beautiful day for tossing a disc!

Ultimate as sport

So those of you who pay attention to things like methodology, sample size, and citation will note that the following graph, "% of people who call it a sport," from SB Nation, will note that there is no basis behind this.

According to this unsubstantiated poll, about 81% believe Ultimate to be a sport.  Me?  I'm more in line with Sludge Output:

:

US Open in Minnesota

This year's US Open Ultimate Championships are being held in your neighborhood!

The National Sports Center in Blaine, MN is proud to host top teams from the US, Canada, England, and Colombia for some high-level club Ultimate.  Play starts on Thursday, July 3 and ends with championship games on Sunday, July 6.

Head on up to the Cities, or watch games live-streaming on NexGen and ESPN3.

Live-Streaming of Competitive Ultimate

Some of the biggest events in the ultimate calendar are fast approaching, and more coverage than ever is on tap. Ultimate fans everywhere will be able to keep up with some of the most exciting players and matchups from across the country this spring and summer.  Here are some of your options. ESPN3: ESPN3 will provide coverage of Semis and Finals at the College National Championships in May, the US Open in July, and the Club National Championships in October.  Games can be found on WatchESPN.com. ULTIWORLD: Ultiworld is a hub for Ultiimate news that also provides livestreaming of various tournaments throughout the year.  Check their website for upcoming schedules and archives of fantastic games. NEXGEN: NexGen will be streaming live from the College Championships and four of the Triple Crown Tour’s major events: the U.S. Open, Pro-Elite Challenge, Pro Flight Finale and National Championships. NexGen is offering a discounted rate on their season pass! The sale has been extended through April 18, so ultimate fans everywhere can take advantage of extra savings. Buy now, and for just $39, you will get access to 40 games from five of the year’s major events. The games will include coverage of all eight teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions from the Pro Flight Finale, plus additional coverage of many Elite Flight teams from the Pro-Elite Challenge. The sale ends April 18! After April 18, the price will increase to $49. If you are interested in purchasing coverage for one particular event, a la carte options are also available.

Ultimate in the News

We're a small community of Ultimate players here in the coulee region, but our sport has been getting a lot of national attention lately.  Check out these mentions in national media:

Time magazine, "Ultimate Goes Pro"

NPR, "Ultimate Frisbee Puts On Its Game Face"

Club Nationals Live Streaming

Club Nationals takes place Oct. 25-28 in Sarasota, Florida, and USA Ultimate will be streaming twelve games live.  If you'd like to watch some high-level Ultimate, here's your opportunity.

Check out the streaming schedule and mark your calenders!

Last-ditch Effort

After much to and fro, we are attempting a last-minute bid to Hallowinona (Oct. 27-28).  If you are interested in attending this costumed tournament in Winona, please let Sam know ASAP.  The final decision will be made on the basis of interested numbers and the TD's response to our plea.

Professional Ultimate Arrives in Wisconsin

Did you ever dream of becoming a pro Ultimate player when you grew up?  Well, now's your chance!

The AUDL (American Ultimate Disc League) started out this season with six teams across the country, and are now expanding into nearby markets.  Both Madison and Chicago are scheduled to compete in the 2013 season.  They'll be looking for players, referees, and more importantly, fans!

To that end, the Madison Radicals will be playing a game at Redden Soccer Complex in Verona, WI on August 5th at 4pm.  (This is conveniently located at the same place as Mad-Disc-On following the tournament.)  Plan to stick around and watch some fully refereed Ultimate!

Gracias

A few months ago, CURDS player Renee came home for a brief visit from her Peace Corps post in Ecuador.  We sent her back with several donated discs for the students at her school in Arenillas.  Renee recently sent the following photo and message.

"Thank you to everyone who donated discs! We finally got Ultimate Frisbee started in Colegio Tecnico Arenillas- it's the first time the kids have heard of Ultimate and it's a blast. Muchas gracias from all the students here in Arenillas!"

We're so happy to have helped out.  Keep up the hard work, both Ultimate and education-related, in Ecuador, Renee!

What's Ultimate Without Neon Spandex?

The UWL women, UWL alumni men, and CURDS combined this past weekend to play at Hallowinona, a Halloween costume tournament in Winona, MN. The theme: 80's workout instructors. Note the neon spandex, headbands, a creepy mustache, and ALF. I'd say they look like pretty authentic, don't you? And I hear their Ultimate playing wasn't too shabby either.

Club Nationals Live

Club Nationals is next week Thursday through Sunday (Oct. 27-30) in Sarasota, Florida, and several games will be streaming live.

Want to watch some high-level Ultimate? Want to try to find Bennet and the Old Style men, or Sam and I in our Observer orange on a field somewhere?

Go to USA Ultimate and check out the streaming schedule. You'll be glad you did.

Hallowinona

The last tournament of the season is drawing near, so get ready for some fun!

Hallowinona
Oct. 29-30
Winona, MN
Ultimate in costume

This is always a hugely fun tournament, mostly due to the ridiculousness of playing in costume and the sideline fun-times that goes along with it. In addition, it's only thirty minutes upriver, so travel costs are cheap and lodging costs are nil.

We need to determine soon whether CURDS will be sending a Mixed or Open team. For a mixed team, we'll need at least seven ladies. Please, check your calenders, email Sam or Laura, and start thinking of some awesome costume themes. I heard Princess Bride floating around at Dick and Jane...

Pick-up Photos III

Round 3 of pick-up photos is here! In this installment, Tony lunges to stop Jeremy's forehand, but doesn't quite make it. A bunch of hot Coulee players cut in the background.

For even more pick-up photos, visit Kairos Photographic, Cassy's professional website. She's put up quite a few more from a nice day at Reuter field. And next time you see her, let her know how much you appreciate her taking awesome photos of us!

Labor Day Weekend Pick-Up

We have TWO opportunities for playing Ultimate this holiday weekend!

3pm Sunday, Sept. 4
Reuter Field

This is our usual weekly game of pick-up, and the last Sunday at Reuter. Come out and enjoy the fluffy, green grass while you can.

3pm Monday, Sept. 5
Reuter Field

This is a special Labor Day pick-up opportunity brought to you by the UW-L college team. They'll be recruiting new players all morning and want to provide a way for the newbies to experience Ultimate as soon as possible. There may be one large game with experienced folk helping out the newercomers, or perhaps there will be several fields divided by experience level. We'll see what the turnout looks like.

So come on out one or both days with smiling faces and the desire to share Ultimate!

Dick and Jane

An unexpected tournament opportunity!

Dick and Jane
Coed Ultimate Tournament for Charity
Fitchburg. WI (Madison)
Sunday, September 11

This tournament is only one day and it's close by in Madison! The proceeds go to charity, and many Madison summer league teams and local community teams come out and have a good time for a great cause.

Let Sam or Laura know if you're interested in playing. If we get enough men and women available, we'll send in a bid.

Beer-Battered Curds at Cooler

Despite a thunderstorm to start off Saturday morning, the weather at Cooler Classic was perfect for Ultimate, and CURDS enjoyed it to its fullest. Congratulations to everyone who played for breaking seed for the second tournament in a row!