shanja
01-18-2009, 05:25 PM
So 4 of us foreigners (Heidi, Andy, Lindsey and I) made it out to the comp and joined about 180 other competitors in what must rank as the friendliest and best organized comp of any kind ever.
Great to see Andy come in 52nd for his 2nd day ever on the ice (I managed a 63rd and was right stoked at that!). Not sure yet of Heidi and Lindseys placings, but we had some hopes Heidi might have made the top 15 in the womens section.
It was a really amazing display of great skill by the locals, and the course designs were just wickedly fun...lots of crazy balacy, semi-dynamic, uber-gymnastic moves and super solid not too brittle ice (Saturday anyways).
Hats off to all the competitors, it was like a giant reunion at times as faces from Busan to Seokcho to Mokpo and Seoul appeared out of the crowd shouting hellos etc. We felt like rock stars!
Thanks also to KA who kelpt us well fed at nights, gave us encouragement and tolerated so well our smelly post climb antics.
But most thanks and cudos go to Han Sang-hoon and all the route setters, organizers and supporters who made it such a smooth and super event. Every competitor recieved a freebies bag with local produce and info and maps, a sweet fleece comp vest and meal tickets for free food!
The locals turned out in droves as well, from the county magistrate, town mayor and village chief on and down to farmer Lee, Kim and Park. These kindly folk clapped cheered and welcomed us like you wouldn't believe. Thank you Yeong Dong! Anyone with free time wanting to hit up the ice, let me know!
Great to see Andy come in 52nd for his 2nd day ever on the ice (I managed a 63rd and was right stoked at that!). Not sure yet of Heidi and Lindseys placings, but we had some hopes Heidi might have made the top 15 in the womens section.
It was a really amazing display of great skill by the locals, and the course designs were just wickedly fun...lots of crazy balacy, semi-dynamic, uber-gymnastic moves and super solid not too brittle ice (Saturday anyways).
Hats off to all the competitors, it was like a giant reunion at times as faces from Busan to Seokcho to Mokpo and Seoul appeared out of the crowd shouting hellos etc. We felt like rock stars!
Thanks also to KA who kelpt us well fed at nights, gave us encouragement and tolerated so well our smelly post climb antics.
But most thanks and cudos go to Han Sang-hoon and all the route setters, organizers and supporters who made it such a smooth and super event. Every competitor recieved a freebies bag with local produce and info and maps, a sweet fleece comp vest and meal tickets for free food!
The locals turned out in droves as well, from the county magistrate, town mayor and village chief on and down to farmer Lee, Kim and Park. These kindly folk clapped cheered and welcomed us like you wouldn't believe. Thank you Yeong Dong! Anyone with free time wanting to hit up the ice, let me know!