every day is poetry

With another rutabaga curling season erratically wobbling ever closer to its climax (this year’s culminating event, the International Rutabaga Curling Championship, will be held this Saturday, December 17th),  I thought I’d share this photo essay of my silver-medal winning performance in the 2009 finals.  Fans will be encouraged to know that I still have the original championship rutabaga in the freezer, and will be using that same ‘baga (press reports at the time referred to a possible “paradigm shift” in the sport, due to its unusual size and shape) to make another run for glory in this year’s contest.

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Despite the frigid weather, a huge crowd had gathered early to watch the event.

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The critical moment:  choosing the freakishly outsized rutabaga that is to catapult me to glory just hours later.

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The rutabaga modification station.  While pre-throw-trimming is permitted by tournament rules, I am proud of the fact that I won my medal using a completely unaltered vegetable.

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The 2008 gold medalist throws..

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…and the crowd watches with rapt attention as the ‘baga approaches the target.

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Will it stop in time?

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To chants of “Shred it!” from the crowd, the referee prepares to dole out the ultimate punishment for a  violation of the official rules.

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Another competitor throws…

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Basking in my moment of glory…

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…and talking to the press.  No doubt Nike will be calling with an endorsement offer soon.

(Photography credit:  Jerry Feist.