The Beard Team USA Blog

BTUSA pre-NYCBMC pig-outs

2009-03-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

BTUSA members and fans in town for the New York City Beard and Moustache Championshps on March 14 will want to attend these pre-event events:
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Dinner on Friday will be at the Fette Sau (German for fat pig) BBQ at 6 pm sharp.

This is a full-on carnivores' pig-out where we'll buy giant pieces of dead pigs, cows, and chickens by the pound, eat at picnic tables, and drink beer out of glass jars. Vegetarians are welcome but they should bring their own vegetables.

The address is 354 Metropolitan Avenue (between Havemeyer and Roebling Sts., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Phone: 718-963-3404.
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Afterwards (7-ish) we'll head to the Lazy Catfish, a local hangout of the Gotham City Beardsman Alliance where Southern Comfort Food & drink (or is that Southern Comfort, food, and drink?) are available.

The Catfish is at 593 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Phone: 718.599.9055.

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As soon as we leave the Lazy Catfish we are moving on to the Third Ward, 195 Morgan Ave. (corner of Stagg St) where photographer Lisa Dillin needs us for a photo shoot. We may have to rush because Lisa needs us there by 1 pm on Saturday. This is the first time there has ever been a dress code for a BTUSA event. Lisa wants us to wear drab, monotonous, dull, and mundane-looking suits and ties. Don't get a haircut between now and then. If you are coming please let Lisa know and ask her for more details on the dress code. lisadillin@yahoo.com. Oh yeah, Lisa is offering whiskey and beer.

General becomes King!

2009-03-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

Fresh off his success in organizing the first ever St. Croix Beard Team USA contest, which drew a good crowd of locals and tourists during the Mardi Croix celebration in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, the General was chosen to be king of the Mardi Croix Parade for 2009.
As is always the case with royalty, the General was chosen for the honor purely by chance, in this case by having his name picked out of a hat. As is frequently the case with royalty, the General/King's primary responsibilities were to waive to the crowd and be drunk. Well done, your majesty!

Word from the prof

2009-03-04T06:28:00.000-08:00

Sociology professor, head of the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society (Charleston, SC), and WBMC first-timer, Dr. Paul Roof, shares his views here:

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A65130

Intra-squad rivalry

2009-02-27T14:32:00.000-08:00

Austin (Texas) Facial Hair Club MVP and Beard Team USA member Bryan Nelson, who sports a bright red Texas-sized beard, is on a mission to dethrone full-beard-natural world champ and BTUSA teammate Jack Passion in Anchorage this May. It seems Jack (known to his fans as "the Pash") had the audacity to suggest that his own beard might be better than that of Texas' patron saint Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. The AFHC and Bryan consider the honor of the Lone Star State at stake. Meanwhile 2003 FBN world champ and BTUSA member David Traver, who is a founder of the South Central Alaska Beard Club, host of the WBMC 09, reminds everyone that in Alaska "Texas-sized" means "small." Game on!

Misprint rap-up

2009-02-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Last week's Third Annual Misprint Beard and Moustache Competition in Austin, Texas which was a huge success. There were 87 competitors, 900 screaming fans, and a line around the block to get in. Pictured here is Allen Demling of the Austin Facial Hair Club, a local chapter of Beard Team USA, who took first in the "gnarliest beard" category. Meanwhile AFHC member Alex LaRoche won for the "best groomed beard." Past Misprint winner Bryan Nelson, AFHC's President and MVP, sat on the bench (in the judicial sense), serving as a judge so as to give others a chance. Besides, since the judges were allowed to accept bribes, judging was better than winning. The AFHC will be in Anchorage helping establish America as the premier power in world bearding. Misprint Magazine organized the competition and knows how to throw a party.

Here's an excellent gallery of photos from the Mispritn.

Don't mis the Misprint in Austin

2009-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Date: February 20, 2009
Time: 9 pm
Place: Mohawk Patio, 912 Red River St., Austin, Texas

Go Steelers!

2009-01-26T10:44:00.000-08:00

BTUSA does not normally take positions on matters such as the Super Bowl, presidential elections, evolution vs. creation, etc. But this year our own Justin Hartwig will be on the field as the starting center for the Steelers. Good luck, Justin!

March Madness

2009-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

The month of March 2009 brings three -- count 'em, three -- major beard contests on the East Coast.

March 6 -- Virginia Beard and Moustache Championships, The Waterfront Gourmet, Alexandria, Virginia. Wear green. It's St. Patrick's month. Contact the General.

March 14 -- New York City Beard and Moustache Championships, 8 pm, Public Assembly, 70 North 6th St., Brooklyn, New York. Info.

March 28 -- Dunedin Beard and Moustache Championships, 1-5 pm, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas, Ave., Dunedin, Florida. Info.

Eagles, Mantooth Fly

2009-01-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

The Philadelphia Eagles and many of their fans are currently growing beards for the WBMC in Alaska. Unfortunately, the press keeps getting the story wrong, reporting that the beards are for the Superbowl instead. Oh well.

Click here to watch our own Brian Mantooth talk beards with CBS3 reporter Anne Marie Green.

James on TV

2008-12-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Baton Rouge TV recently covered James de Breuys and his plans to compete in the WBMC in Alaska. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIE4UFk-F80&feature=related

Oil City

2008-11-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

All reports from the first ever Western Pennsylvania Beard and Moustache Championships in Oil City confirm that organizer Dave Grams and the Western PA Beard Alliance knocked it out of the park!

Special thanks also to the Pumpkin Bumpkin Festival and Billy's Bar.

Results:

Partial Beard- Andy Macelwee
Goatee- Andy Beech
Freestyle- Ty Baker
Mustache- Mr. Lolo
Fake Beard Children- Cooper Allen Grams
Fake Beard Women- Rosebud
Full Beard- Sir Roger Walters

See you next year!

Kris L from the OC

2008-10-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Our own Kris Luettchau's effort to raise money for his planned trip to Anchorage recently got a boost with this story appearing in the Orange County Register. (Photo by Steve Zylius, Orange County Register.)

Video Report from Petaluma

2008-10-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

The town of Petaluma, California, held its annual Bill Soberanes’ Memorial Petaluma Whiskerino Contest on Saturday October 11, 2008. BTUSA was there.

Oil City publicity

2008-09-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent article appearing in the Derrick (thederrick.com)about the upcoming Pennsylvania championships organized by BTUSA's own Dave Grams and the Western Pennsylvania Beard Alliance.
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Oil City can claim a new distinction next month when the Pennsylvania State Championship Beard and Mustache competition is held during the community's Halloween celebration.

The contest is set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, during the annual Pumkin Bumkin festival in Justus Park.

"They have these contests elsewhere in the U.S. and I thought Pennsylvania needed one. And since I'm in charge, as president and founder of the Western Pennsylvania Beard and Moustache Alliance, I said, 'let's have it here'," said Dave Grams of Oil City.

Grams, 21, attends Clarion University where he is majoring in elementary education and special education.

He sports a 16-inch curly, auburn-colored beard, a facial quirk that he intends to keep uncut until he and his brother, Nathan, and a few buddies trek up to Alaska next May for the world beard championship judging.

Grams' foray into the facial hair world began in an unlikely scenario.

"I went to Venango Christian (high school) and we weren't allowed to have beards. I have a heavy beard so sometimes I had to shave twice a day. Once I graduated, I said 'enough' and quit shaving. It's been a year and a half so far," Grams said.

There is a misconception that beard-wearers are "lazy" because people think they simply don't want to shave, Grams said.

"I spend so much time every morning shampooing, conditioning, brushing and combing my beard. It takes me 10 times the amount of time it took me to shave so it's a lot harder," he said.

The state beard and mustache championship in Oil City is open to anyone, said the organizer. There will be categories for full beard, mustache, goatee and partial beard. Judges will be local beauticians and barbers. There's one more category, too, Grams said, and it is designed as a "fun event."

"It's a fake category. We want women and kids to enter, too, by making their own beards or mustaches. They can't buy them - they have to be home-made," Grams said.

No trophies or cash prizes will be featured in the state championship, one that has drawn interest from beard aficionados representing "Beard" magazine, a beard-related Web site and chapters in other states.

"Basically, it's just a matter of honor - the winner will have 'the best' in either beard or mustache in the entire state. That's a neat thing in itself," Grams said.

More information on the contest is available by contacting Grams at 1-814-678-0011 or on his website at www.myspace.com/wpbma.

Planets align Oct 25

2008-09-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! There are two different beard/moustache events set for the same day -- October 25, 2008. Those with the ability to be in two places at once will want to attend both:

-- Pennsylvania Beard and Moustache Championships, Oil City, Pennsylvania, organized by the Western Pennsylvania Beard Alliance. Contact Dave Grams, gunth79@yahoo.com.

-- Stache Bash '08, St. Louis, Missouri, organized by the American Moustache Institute. See http://www.americanmustacheinstitute.org/StacheBash.aspx. Nominations for the Robert Goulet Memorial Moustached American of the Year Award are due October 3. http://www.americanmustacheinstitute.org/MustacheAmericanOfYear.aspx.

Tony: "Anyone can run and jump."

2008-08-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer featuring the Tri-State Beard and Moustache Club, a local chapter of BTUSA located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and its preparations for the WBMC in Anchorage. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/26902224.html.

Joyce Daze '08

2008-07-16T14:03:00.001-07:00

The Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival Beard, Moustache, and Goatee Contest is set for Saturday, August 2, 2008, in Joyce, Washington, located on the Olympic Peninsula just west of Port Angeles. Pictured here are last year's competitors in the full beard division.

Registration is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and costs $5. The contest judging will be at 11:30 a.m. This year's judges include Jeff Well and Guy Thompson, both of whom placed at the 2007 World Beard and Moustache Championships in England.

In addition to the beard contest, the festival features a parade, a salmon bake, a wild blackberry pie contest, antique cars, and lots fun all day long. For more information see http://www.joycewa.com/joycedaze.htm or contact Jane Childers (jchildj@gmail.com).

Josh's beard-itorial

2008-06-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Josh Mason, friend and supporter of Beard Team USA, who will be making his WBMC debut in Anchorage, has published an essay on bearding in Folio Weekly, Northeast Florida's News and Opinion Magazine.

Read it here: http://joshmason.info/?p=11.

Josh is the best friend of Micah Vandegrift, a veteran of the 2005 WBMC in Berlin and the founder of the Florida State University Beard Club.

Burke on TV

2008-05-24T15:44:00.001-07:00

Check out this clip of world champion (full beard, styled moustache) Burke Kenny on the Evening Magazine in Seattle.

http://www.king5.com/video/eveningmagazine-index.html?nvid=247640

Pash: "Losers shave"

2008-04-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

ESPN recently asked BTUSA's own world champion in the full beard natural category Jack Passion for some commentary on the NHL playoff beard situation. Here is Jack's article in ESPN Magazine. See http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3337746&type=story.

Albany Chapter Weighs in on Spitzer Scandal

2008-03-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Jason Smith, spokesperson for the Albany Beard and Moustache Federation, a local chapter of Beard Team USA, reports as of March 11, 2008:

"It has been and exciting twenty-four hours here in the Empire State, and it looks as though there is a good chance that Lieutenant Governor David A. Patterson might be taking up residence at 138 Eagle Street.

"It is not the place of the Albany BMF to make comments, or pass judgment on the actions of Governor Elliot Spitzer, but we will say that we are excited at the prospect of having a beard in charge."

Portrait of a Man with Portrait of a Man

2007-11-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

This is a portrait of a man with Portrait of a Man painted about 1544-1548 by Francesco Salviati. The man is BTUSA's Daniel Dobrick. The identity of man in the portrait in the portrait is a mystery but he is "almost certainly Florentine gentleman of high standing." Undoubtedly he is one of Daniel's ancestors and an early member of Beard Team USA.

You can see the portrait in the portrait at the Getty Musuem (see http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=906) but you can only see the portrait with the portrait here.

Zach's NY Photo Exhibit

2007-11-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

BTUSA photographer extraordinaire Zach Ramey's exhibit of photos from the WBMC in Brighton will run from Nov 29 to Jan 3 at Lottgal . . . Wait a minute, you can read.

There or square.

Calling all Aussies

2007-11-17T07:41:00.001-08:00

The Beards, Adelaide's all-bearded band that only sings songs about beards, is recruiting Australia's best beards to join Team Australia which will compete for the land down under (or up over depending on your perspective) at the WBMC 2009 in Alaska.

Unbearded but patriotic Aussies should stop shaving now and plan to join the team in Anchorage.

For more info email Michael at thebeardsclub@hotmail.com. For more on the Beards, see www.myspace.com/thebeardsclub.

Royal advice

2007-11-07T07:54:00.001-08:00

"A neatly cut beard is of enormous importance in life, believe me. It produces an extraordinary effect. Look at me. I have my beard cut regularly twice a week and I am certain that a great deal of my popularity is due to it."

According to the New York Times (May 17, 1903), King Edward VII (Queen Victoria's son -- Queen Elizabeth's great grandfather) gave this advice to Sir Edmond Monson. Monson took the king's advice and then rose to the "top of his profession" becoming Ambassador to Paris.

I don't necessarily agree with the king, since I think there is more to grooming than cutting. I would substitute the word "groomed" for "cut" in the above quote.

BTUSA in Nevada

2007-11-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

Four members of Beard Team USA pose on the capitol steps in Carson City at the annual Nevada Day Beard Contest with contest organizer Charlie Portia. From left: Charlie, Toot Joslin (former sideburns world champ), Captain Phil Olsen, Joshua Morris (current High Sierra champ), and Matt Guertner (third place, scruffiest, ND07).

No-shave November

2007-11-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

It's no-shave November again. During November (or Movember to some -- see below), groups all over cyberspace start clean shaven and commit to growing beards or moustaches for at least a month.

Beard Team USA fully supports all of those involved in these endeavors. We just don't understand why they shave in December, March, or any other month for that matter. As NSN nears its end, we'll try to encourage the partipants to keep working on their beards and moustaches, join BTUSA, and prepare for Anchorage.

Here are links to some of these groups:

The Beard Contest 2007. No shaving from Nov 1 to Dec 20. http://www.thebeardcontest.com/. Contact Rob Freundenberg, thebeardcontest@gmail.com.

Movember 2007. A month of moustache growing in six different countries. Promoting awareness of men's health issues. http://www.movember.com/.

Whiskerino 2007. This one lasts until the end of February. http://www.whiskerino.org/.

No-shave November on myspace. http://groups.myspace.com/noshavenovember2007philly.

Another group on my space. http://groups.myspace.com/noshavenovember2007

Beards Because. Raising money for charity in Charlotte, North Carolina. http://www.beardsbecause.com

What??!!

2007-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Look who won the plaque for the blackest beard at the annual Nevada Day Beard Contest in Carson City! My beard isn't even black. I only won because our Sikh friends were late. They were in the parade, near the end. By the time they finished marching they couldn't make it back to the capitol steps in time for the contest.

Secret to victory? Keep the competition from showing up.

BTUSA conquers England

2007-09-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

Following approximately in the footsteps of William the Conquerer in 1066, Beard Team USA recently conquered England. Here team members are seen headed for Trafalgar Square, the very center of London (and therefore in some people's mind the center of the world) for the HUGE Beard Team USA pep rally on August 29.

BTUSA's conquest has of course received a great deal of media attention. Here is a sampling of the coverage:

NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/

SF Weekly: http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2007/09/lost_by_a_whisker.php
(Under no circumstances should anyone read the last paragraph of this article.)

Hot Pipes: http://hotpipes.blogspot.com/2007/07/beard-team-usa-willing-and-able.html

Passion!

2007-09-04T03:02:00.000-07:00

The new world champion in the full beard natural category is BTUSA's Jack Passion who won his title at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Brighton, England, on September 1, 2007.

Burke wins it!

2007-09-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

Burke Kenny, the pride of Olympia, Washington and all of 22 years old, was crowned world champion in the full beard styled moustache division at the world beard and moustache championships in Brighton, England on September 1, 2007.

Moustache of Steel

2007-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Check this out. http://tinyurl.com/2hhs3j

Thanks to Joe Gregory for submitting this.

Look out, Toot!

2007-08-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the World Beard and Moustache Championships, BTUSA's Eric Brown shows off his impressive set. Could Toot Joslin's reign as sideburns world champ be coming to an end?
Stay tuned.

Want to see our etchings?

2007-08-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

East London printmaker Nick Morely will be having an exhibition in Brighton during the World Beard and Moustache Championships with etchings, silkscreens and woodcut prints of many 'recognizable' World Beard figures. Many members of Team USA are in the exhibit, including Jordan Dauby, Burke Kenny, and Mike Hammerman. See http://www.nickmorley.co.uk

Also check out various 'bearded celebs" here: http://www.alexanderworks.co.uk/nick/print_beards01a.html

HUGE Beard Team USA pep rally in Trafalgar Square

2007-08-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

The HUGE Beard Team USA pep rally will take place in Trafalgar Square in London at 4 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2007. Anyone who can possibly be there needs to show up and cheer for America's team. If you can't make it, be sure to tune in to the Early Show on CBS for coverage.

Joyce Daze Beard, Moustache, and Cowpie Contest

2007-08-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

The recent Joyce Daze Blackberry Festival in Joyce, Washington, featured heated competition in three categories of facial hair -- moustache, goatee, and beard. The most noteworthy competitor of all was Daniel Baker, age 14, who took third in the goatee category.

Beard Team USA managed to podium both in the beard category and cowpie bingo.

Chicks dig beards!

2007-07-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

I am so tired of being told that women don't like beards. The next time someone tries to tell you this, show them this picture of BTUSA's new member Jonny Promo.

'Stache Bash in St. Louis August 4, 2007

2007-07-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Results from HSBMC

2007-07-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the results from the High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships held on July 3, 2007, in Squaw Valley, California.

OVERALL WINNER -- JOSHUA MORRIS, Rocklin, California

Moustache
1. Tyler Campbell, Hansville, Washington.
2. Tom Reed, Squaw Valley, California.
3. Wyatt Dufresue, Squaw Valley, California.

Ladies
1. Lela Joslin, Carnelian Bay, California.
2. Lindsay Nagle, Squaw Valley, California.

Partial Beard
1. Toot Joslin, Carnelian Bay, California.
2. Jim Bunnell, Auburn, California.

Full Beard
1. Joshua Morris, Rocklin, California.
2. Jack Passion, Walnut Creek, California.
3. Mark Huber, Grass Valley, California.

Virginia Beard and Moustache Championships -- July 14

2007-07-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Virgina Chapter of Beard Team USA is set to host the Virgina Beard and Moustache Championships in Alexandria, Virginia, on Saturday, July 14, 2007.

This inaugural event will take place in the alley behind the HardTimes Cafe, located at 1404 King Street in Alexandria. Late Registration from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with the contest taking place from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.

Categories will include: Full Beard, Partial Beard and Moustache. If interest is shown, a category will be added for artificial facial hair. (children or ladies).

For more information, contact the General -- Dennis@Dickerson.net.

HSBMC set for July 3

2007-04-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

The High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships will take place at the Village at Squaw Valley on the evening of July 3, 2007, as part of the pre-fireworks festivities.

Organizers are hoping to award cash prizes to the winners in the best full beard, best partial beard, and best moustache categories. All participants in the popular kids' division will be awarded great prizes. Last year's crowd favorites Jack Passion and Burke Kenny have promised to return.

Happy Third of July!

"Glorius [sic] Mustache [sic] Challenge" now on DVD

2007-04-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

Jay Della Valle's hilarious documentary film about the Jay and his friends' experiences as they try out their new moustaches is now avaliable on DVD. To learn about the film, see a trailer, and buy your copy, go to www.gloriusmoustache.com.

Jay, pictured here, is a member of BTUSA who is hoping to represent the USA in Brighton this September.

Despite being somewhat "challenged" when it comes to spelling, Jay has done a great job of promoting his film, which has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Geraldo at Large.

OK, it's true that "mustache" is an acceptable alternate spelling of "mustache," but only Jay spells "glorious" "glorius." It's sic.

North Carolina Beard and Moustache Club

2007-03-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

The North Carolina Beard and Moustache Club, founded by Andrew Dudek (far right), held its inaugural meeting recently in at a pub Greensboro. Fourteen charter members attended. The members chose Jason Wiggs (back row, third from left) as March Beard of the month.

The club hopes to represent North Carolina at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Alaska in 2009. Between now and then, the club plans to
host some beard and moustache positive movies at a local coffee
shop/bar, maybe do a kissing booth for charity at all the city
festivals, and draw up a sweet logo that it can in
turn make into buttons, tee's, stickers, and pins.

The next meeting is April 3, and future meeting are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month. The club will supply fake beards and moustaches for the ladies and enthusiasts who would like to join its evenings. Oh yes, people drink beer at these meetings.

Matt's tatt

2007-03-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Meet Matt Bischoff, who will be competing for Beard Team USA in the freestyle full beard category at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Brighton, England, on September 1. Matt's long, red beard is permanent -- much like a tattoo.

Now meet Hans Langseth from Norway. According to Guiness, the late Hans sported the world's longest beard. In fact, Longseth's beard is or was on display at the Smithsonian, the same as the Hope Diamond and the Spirit of St. Louis. Someday Matt hopes his beard will be as long as Hans's was.

Not only is Matt's beard here to stay, so is the tattoo of Hans Langseth on Matt's back. Also like Matt's beard, the tattoo is still a work in progress. In the case of the tattoo, the artist is Chris Garver.

Matt, his beard, and his tattoo will be featured on an upcoming episode of Miami Ink on cable TV (TLC). Stay tuned.

Alaskan Showdown

2007-03-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Anchorage's David Traver (left), a member of Beard Team USA whose brown full beard is as impressive as his beard competition credentials (first in the full beard natural category and third overall at the World Beard and Moustache Championships held in Nevada in 2003, perennial champion at the annual Mr. Fur Face contest in Anchorage), gasped when he saw fellow Alaskan Opie Combs (right) sign up for this year's Mr. FF contest held in Anchorage in February. Could Traver's title be on the line?

Opie, who is also a member of BTUSA, sports an outstandingly full, long red beard.

No one was surprised when Opie won the Red Fox category or when David won the Brown Bear division, but the crowd held its collective breath to see who would claim the overall prize.

In the end, experience won out over youth, and David was awarded the Mr. Fur Face crown for another year.

David will definitely be representing the USA in Brighton this summer. BTUSA hopes Opie can make the trip too.

Jack on Jay

2007-01-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

Jack Passion recently appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In case you missed it, here is a Youtube of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzEQZcV-lZM.

Call for Moustaches

2006-12-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

As recently reported on NPR, Beard Team USA has offered soon-to-be former UN Ambassador John Bolton a position on the team's moustache squad. While John's moustache is not yet world championship caliber, John still has ample time before the next worlds to cultivate a winning 'stache. (Also known as a 'tache or a mo'.) Importantly, as NPR also reported, Senate confirmation is not necessary for membership on BTUSA.

In fact membership is open to everyone.

Actually BTUSA is actively recruiting moustache growers for the Brighton championships. Of the recently announced official categories for Brighton, nine of the seventeen are types of moustaches. BTUSA currently lacks depth in the moustache categories.

Ordinary moustaches won't do. While most American moustache wearers prefer to trim their upper lip hairs to stay out of their mouths, most of the categories are for moustaches grown wild and then tamed through the use of artificial aids such as waxes, gels, and sprays. See www.worldbeardchampionships.com/Categories/categories.htm.

BTUSA is encouraging John Bolton and other patriotic Americans to stop trimming those mo's NOW in training for Brighton.

The Way Forward

2006-12-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

At the last World Beard and Moustache Championships held in Berlin in 2005, the USA took a wooping.

While it is probably not necessary to appoint a study group, nevertheless, if Beard Team USA is to succeed in its quest to make the USA a power in international facial hair competitions, it is now time to analyze the situation carefully, consider all points of view, and plan the way forward. It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say that the situation is grave and deteriorating, but at least one thing is clear: Staying the course will not lead to victory.

In Berlin, perennial powerhouse Germany won first-place trophies in fourteen of the seventeen categories. Our allies from Great Britain won two of the categories (FuManchu and, appropriately enough, English) while the USA had to settle for a face-saving but disappointing single gold by American hero Toot Joslin in the Sideburns category.

There is a good reason for Germany's overwhelming dominance. It has to do with the competition categories. Our German friends take the category descriptions very seriously. In the past, our approach for the most part was to simply show up with our beards and moustaches styled (or unstyled) the way we like them and hope that the judges liked them too. We emphasized individuality and self-expression while our German opponents focused on styling their facial hair to conform to the category descriptions. Whatever our personal philosophies might be, if we are to become a force at the WBMC, we now need to engage in category specific training.

The Handlebar Club recently announced the official rules and categories for Brighton. You can see them here. www.worldbeardchampionships.com/Categories/categories.htm. For the most part, the Handlebar Club has decided to go with the traditional categories as originally formulated by the German beard clubs. Notably, not all beards are treated equally. Also noteworthy is the fact that the categories are heavily weighted toward various unusual kinds of moustaches. In fact, out of the 17 categories, as many as nine of them are what English speakers would call moustaches. This is true even though moustaches seem less common today than beards.

At this point, the best strategy for members of America's team is to simply let their facial hair grow and see what develops. Shortly before the competition, we will be making stategic trimming decisions designed to bring victory to the USA.

But don't worry, while we may trim, we have no plans to cut and run. There will be no graceful exit by BTUSA.

Big News!

2006-11-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

BTUSA is proud to announce that Big Joy, who hostessed the WBMC in Carson City, will be joining BTUSA in England as the team's head cheerleader. Big Joy promises Big Hair, Big Legs, and Big Fun at the big pep rally in Trafalgar Square.

ZZ Passion

2006-10-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

Those with long beards are used to having strangers approach them and ask, "Are you ZZ Top?" (As if ZZ Top were a person and as if the strangers were being original.) Well, guess who Jack met recently? Yes, that's Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. Billy says strangers come up to him all the time and ask, "Are you Jack Passion?"

Movember 2006

2006-10-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Movember is a group in Canada that is raising awareness of men's health issues, money for Canada's largest cancer hospital, and moustaches during Movember (the eleventh month of the Julian calendar), 2006.

Our only problem with Movember is the requirement that participants be clean-shaven on Movember 1, but we support them anyway.

Please check out Movember's website at www.movember.ca.

BTUSA group trip to WBMC 2007

2006-10-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Plans for next year's BTUSA trip to England for the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Brighton are well underway. We will arrive in London on Sunday, August 26, spend four nights in Central London and then move on to Brighton on Thursday, August 30, where we will stay until September 3. The HUGE event takes place at the Brighton Centre on Saturday, September 1.

I was recently in Brighton. Brighton is England's quirky version of Venice Beach mixed with Coney Island but with real royal history thrown in. It is the perfect place for the WBMC.

The trip is open to everyone except boring people. The basic price is $1155 per person, double occupancy. There is also a super low-budget option for $556 per person. Prices do not include airfare. For full details drop me an email at this address: tahophil@inreach.com.

Hope you can make it!

Phil

Der König lebt wieder!

2006-10-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

The King is back!

Readers of this blog will recall my report on the demise of the King of the Wild West Moustache Division, Günter Rosin. (Pronounced "Roe-zeen.") Günter had enjoyed a winning streak longer than anyone could remember but to everyone's shock was dethroned in Berlin, where he had to settle for second place.

It turns out my report on the King's demise was premature. Since Berlin, Günter has won every competition that has been held, including the European championships in Amberg.

Günter has told me the secret of his success, which I am not at liberty to disclose, but in my opionion the real reason for his success is no secret. Günter is an all-around cool guy who embodies perfection and style in every way. Moustache wearers worldwide should bow down to the King!

Get well soon, Terry!

2006-10-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Terry Pierson returned to the US on Tuesday, October 17. He is hospitalized near his family in Illinois. Everyone on Beard Team USA wishes Terry a speedy recovery.

Report from Amberg

2006-09-30T01:25:00.000-07:00

Three members of Beard Team USA traveled to Germany for last Saturday's European Beard and Moustache Championships.

Unfortunately, Terry Pierson from Atlanta, who had hoped to compete in the full beard natural division and whose white beard reaches his waist, was hit by a bicycle in Munich on Wednesday, Sept 20. Terry fell and broke his hip. He is still hospitalized in Munich and will hopefully be able to return home next week. Just so everyone knows, beer and Oktoberfest had nothing to do with Terry's unfortunate accident, as neither Terry nor the cyclist had been drinking.

Dennis Dickerson put in an impressive performance in Verdi division. Dennis had a great time and has written a report and posted pictures on his blog . . . click here: http://www.novabeard.blogspot.com/

As expected, I finished way down the list in the freestyle division.

I will be in England next week making preparations for next year's trip to the WBMC 2007 in Brighton. Once the categories are determined for sure, we will start working on category-specific training, which is essential to Team USA's Brighton strategy. More later.

European Beard and Moustache Championships

2006-09-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

A three-person squad from Beard Team USA is on its way to Germany for the European Beard and Moustache Championships in Amberg on September 23. The European championships are a biannual event that takes place in even numbered years. This time the East Bavarian Beard Club will play host.

BTUSA's squad consists of Dennis Dickerson, Terry Pierson, and yours truly. Dennis (a Robert E. Lee look-alike who appropriately enough is also captain of the Army of Virginia, a division of BTUSA) will compete against very stiff competition in the Verdi division. Terry, the pride of Atlanta, has a good shot of placing in the full beard natural division. As usual, I will place near the bottom in the full beard freestyle division. Oh well.

Whatever. Coincidentally, the EBMC happens to coincide with Oktoberfest in Munich, the world's biggest beer bust, and I will be quite content drowning my sorrows with a liter or two of the famous brew.

As is always the case, Germany is expected to dominate the competition. Check back here for a full report.

Passion Takes HSBMC

2006-07-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

(photos by David E. Carmazzi, www.egidio.com)

To no one's surprise, Jack Passion stole the hearts of the judges and took home the first prize of $500 at the High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships held on July 3, 2006 at the Village at Squaw Valley. Jack styled his chest-length red beard into a tribute to (what else!?) passion, beating out Olympia, Washington's favorite son Burke Kenny to take the full beard division as well. Locals Steve Risko and Glenn Campbell tied for third in FB.

The next High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships are slated for July 5, 2007, at the Village at Squaw Valley. Poor Man's Whiskey, which provided the musical entertainment, will be back as well. See www.poormanswhiskey.com.

Burke Kenny

2006-07-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Burke's spectacular octopus-on-the-face creation was good enough only to take second in the full beard division.

Kid's Division

2006-07-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

In the most competitive division of all -- the kids' division, which had over 30 entrants -- brothers Connor Gill and Jacob Gill finished first and second, respectively, ahead of break dancer Henry Zehhner.

Other Division Winners

2006-07-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

The best moustache at the recent HSBMC in the Village at Squaw belonged to Gary Hagen (pictured, center), who incidentally was the world champ in the Handlebar category at the 2003 worlds. Franco Emanuel (right), who came all the way from Torino, Italy to compete finished second and Davede Alexander Thompson (left) from Sacramento was third.

Current world champ in the sideburns division, Toot Joslin, one of the organizers of the event, took first in the partial beard division to the shouts of "Ringer!", ahead of band member Eli Jebidiah (second) and local favorite John Sproehnle (third). In the ladies division, it was a cat fight as expected, but in the end Seattle's Tina Hermans took top honors while Big Boob Betty and Pocatello Paula finished second and third.

Beard Team Does New York

2006-05-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

During the team's recent trip to New York for the NYCBMC, countless fans stopped us on the street to ask us for autographs and to take their pictures with us. Here we are with a tourist from Idaho named Bruce. We also made guest appearances on Good Morning America, the Early Show, and the View. For more on the GMA gig, click here. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=4173338#. Be sure to check out the gallery.

NYCBMC

2006-05-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

The New York City Beard and Moustache Championships held on May 16 were a huge success.

The overall winner was Heinz Christophel who came in from Germany for the event and also won the freestyle category. Jack Passion took top honors in the full beard natural category, while Tom Vu of New York won the moustache division.

Contestants and fans drank PBR, watched the Splitting Hairs trailer, and strutted their stuff while Jon Friedman hosted. Other BTUSA stars who competed included Dennis Dickerson (General of the new Army of Northern Virginia), fellow Virginian Scott Neas, and Olympia, Washington's own Burke Kenny.

Judges included 2003 Musketeer world champ Gary Johnson, Garibaldi-sporting Frank Madera (3rd place at the 2005 WBMC in Berlin), Julie (who was dragged from the audience to provide the female perspective), and Phil Olsen, the reluctant protagonist from Splitting Hairs.

You can read more about the championships here: http://www.nypress.com/19/21/news&columns/endgame.cfm. For a cool video of the event, check out http://timessquare.com/multimedia/beardcontest.

High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships, July 3, 2006

2006-04-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

The Village at Squaw Valley, located near the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, California, will host the High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships on July 3, 2006. The hairy face-off, officially sanctioned by Beard Team USA, will precede the annual fireworks spectacular as part of the Independence Day festivities at the Village.

Contestants will compete for cash prizes in several different categories before a panel of distinguished judges including former World Cup downhill skiing champion Tamara McKinney and Squaw Valley glitterata Debbie Dutton. Awards will also be presented to the crowd’s favorite, the youngest competitor, and the contestant who traveled the farthest to attend.

In accordance with a strict policy of non-discrimination, the competition is open to all, but special categories will be offered for the follically challenged, such as females and kids.

Facial hair superstars expected to attend include current sideburns world champion Toot Joslin, the only American to win first place honors at last year’s World Beard and Moustache Championships in Berlin, Germany, 22-year-old Jack Passion, who podiumed at Berlin in the highly competitive full beard natural category and who sports a fiery red 2-foot-long full beard ZZ Top can only envy, along with the pride of Gilroy, California, Gary Hagen, 2003's world champion in the Handlebar Moustache category.

Registration for adults is $10 and will start at 5 pm.

New York City Beard and Moustache Championships, May 16, 2006

2006-03-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

(Photo of Jack Passion by Frederic Neema, www.fnphoto.com, may not be used without permission.)

Hurry! The New York City Beard and Moustache Championships are coming May 16! In a trend documented recently in the New York Times, on Good Morning America, and the Today Show, moustaches and beards are sprouting all over the Big Apple as hopeful facial hair wannabes get ready for the big event. Great prizes for all the winners. Stars of Beard Team USA, including Jack Passion, will be there. Anyone can enter but space is limited, so sign up now. All the lastest information, registration and tickets are available at the website, www.nycbeard.com. The NYCBMC will be held at the Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., Manhattan (Tribeca area), beginning at 8 pm.

Splitting Hairs, the movie

2006-03-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

Splitting Hairs is a full length documentary film about Beard Team USA's trek to Berlin, Germany, last October to compete for the USA at the World Beard and Moustache Championships. The movie is set to be released in the near future. For the latest, including a trailer, check out www.splittinghairsmovie.com.

Scarsdale High School Beard Club

2006-03-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Scarsdale High School Beard Club in Scarsdale, New York. The school recently granted the club official sanction, despite initial opposition, due to overwhelming support from the student body. The SHSBC is now the second largest club at Scarsdale High, with 41 members attending the second meeting. Good luck and keep up the good work!

You can visit the SHSBC at www.freewebs.com/shsbeardclub.

Marco and Daron

2006-03-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

( www.gettyimages.com is the source of the photo.)
(Photoshop is the source of the facial hair.)

US super skiers Marco Sullivan (left) and Daron Rahlves (right) served as distinguished judges at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Carson City in 2003. Here they pose with Daron's wife Michelle (center) at the Hahnenkamm downhill ski race in Kitzbuehel, Austria, on January 21, 2006. The Hahnenkamm is the Super Bowl of downhill ski racing. This year Daron took third in the race, which he won in 2003.

Both Marco and Daron were on the US Olympic Team in Torino, but unfortunately did not medal, so they will remain unknown to the majority of the American public. Meanwhile, Daron has already won three World Cup downhill races this year (Beaver Creek, Bormio, and Wengen) and is currently third in the World Cup downhill standings and sixth in the World Cup overall standings with one weekend of racing to go.

Go Marco! Go Daron!

Upcoming Beard Events

2006-03-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Fans of Beard Team USA will want to mark the following dates on their calendars:

April 29, 2006 -- German International Beard and Moustache Championships, Hesel, Germany. For info see http://www.baffone.net.

May 16, 2006 -- New York City Beard and Moustache Championships, hosted by the producers of Splitting Hairs, the documentary film about the WBMC in Berlin, due out soon. The event will take place at the Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., Lower Manhattan, New York (Tribeca area), starting at 8 pm. Special appearance by Jack Passion.

July 3, 2006 -- High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships, Village at Squaw Valley (Lake Tahoe), California.

July 29, 2006 -- Minnesota Beard and Moustache Championships, St. Paul, Minnesota. Members of Beard Team USA will be special guests of the St. Paul Saints baseball team for this event.

September 23, 2006 -- European Beard and Moustache Championships, Amberg, Germany, hosted by the East Bavarian Beard and Moustache Club. For info see http://www.bc-ostbayern.de.

September 1, 2007 -- World Beard and Moustache Championships, Brighton, England.

March, 2009 -- World Beard and Moustache Championships, Anchorage, Alaska.

North to Alaska!

2005-11-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

The 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships will take place in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage was the successful bidder in a recent bid process held by the World Beard and Moustache Association.

The championships will take place in conjunction with the start of the annual Iditarod dog sled race in March, 2009.

Best costume in Berlin

2005-11-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

I have decided that the best-costume-at-the-WBMC-2005 award should go to England's David Dade, for his appropriately nationalistic Beefeater outfit. The costume was perfect in every detail, right down to the red, white, and blue ribbons on the shoes. Makes me thirsty for a tall gin and tonic.

What gives me the right to give an award for best costume? Nothing at all. If you don't like it start your own blog!

(Photo copyright and courtesy of Roy King.)

Americans storm Berlin, strike gold!

2005-10-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

(Photo courtesy of Jürgen Burkhart)

"Toot! Toot! Toot!"

America's new super hero, Toot Joslin, took first place and earned a gold trophy in the Sideburns category at the World Beard and Moustache Championships held in Berlin, Germany, on October 1, 2005. Toot is seen here flanked by Italy's Bruno Panza (left, second place) and Germany's Uwe Wankmüller (right, third place).

As expected, Germany dominated the event, taking gold in 14 of the 17 categories.

While the Americans didn't exactly hoist the stars and stripes over the Brandenburg Gate as they had hoped, they were invited along with all other competitors to appear on stage in front of the famous gate (the symbol of Berlin, once inaccessible in the no-man's land separating East and West Berlin) during celebrations on German Unity Day, October 3.

"This was a building year for us," says Phil Olsen, self-appointed captain of Team USA, who was pleased with the results. "We'll be back next time with a bigger and even stronger team."

The next World Beard and Moustache Championships will take place in Brighton, England, on September 1, 2007.

Toot is still waiting for the traditional congratulatory phone call from President Bush.

Bright future for America

2005-10-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Kyle Parsons, If-You-Shave-You're-Fired, LLC)

Twenty-one-year old Jack Passion, from Santa Cruz, California, sported a massive, thick, red beard that was only two years and three months old at the WBMC 2005 in Berlin. Jack's beard earned him third place and a bronze statue in one of the most competitive categories, full beard natural. Jack has vowed to come to Brighton in two years and hopes to place even higher there. The best part of this, his beard is still growing and could be twice as long next time! Jack along with several other younger members of Team USA, including Aaron Lewis, Carter Tew, Jordan Dauby (who took fourth in this category in Berlin), David Traver (world champ in 2003), Burke Kenny (in Berlin he took fifth in full beard, styled moustache) and Bob Gengler, insure that Americans could well dominate this category for a generation.

Der König ist gefallen!

2005-10-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

(Photo courtesy of the Berlin Beard Club)
The King is dead!

Günter Rosin, 2003 world champ in the Ungarisch (Wild West) category and all-around cool guy, came to Berlin riding a wining streak in his category longer than Lance Armstrong's in the Tour de France. The streak stretched all the way back to the WBMC 1997 in Trondheim, Norway. At the last three WBMC's, he narrowly beat out the American challenger, the Whisker Club's Bruce Roe, who was second in 1999, second in 2001, and third in 2003.

No wonder Günter, who recently changed club affiliation from Belle Moustache to East Bavaria, was the odds-on favorite to five-peat.

Shock!

Günter had to settle for second in Berlin. Bruce was third. Who took gold? Newcomer Rainer Frech, representing none other than Belle Moustache. Evidently Jürgen Burkhart, Belle Moustache's president, couldn't stomach the thought of this category going to another club, so he somehow performed magic and recruited Rainer.

Es lebe der König! Long live the King!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!!

2005-10-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

One of the most colorful competitors at the World Beard and Moustache Championships 2005 in Berlin was rookie Australian Chris Ryan.

Chris' appearance along with his compatriot Thomas Hinton marked the first time Australia was represented at the WBMC.

Other countries represented for the first time were Albania, Poland, India, Tunisia, France, and Scotland.

The Aussies say they'll be back in 2007 and are hoping to field a squad of 20 competitors. There is also talk of Sydney making a bid for the WBMC 2011.

(Photo courtesy of Dennis and Carol Dickerson)

Is this a moustache?

2005-10-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Meet Mike Solomons, distinguished member of London's famous Handlebar Club and jovial veteran of numerous international beard and moustache competitions.

Mike is not permitted to have a beard, since the Handlebar Club specifically does not allow beard. To qualify for Handlebar Club membership, one must possess a moustache, defined as "a hirsute appendage of the upper lip, with graspable extremities."

In Berlin Mike tried to enter the freestyle moustache category. However, the powers that be (the pre-judges, appointed by the Association of German Beard Clubs, and all members of clubs in the AGBC) informed Mike that he could not compete in the category of his choice since he did not have a moustache but a beard!

Well, it seems the problem has to do with language. There is no word in German for moustache. What English speakers call a moustache is in German just a certain type of beard (Bart). Sometimes it's called a Schnurrbart (literally, "string beard"), sometimes an Oberlippenbart (literally, "upper lip beard"), or perhaps a Schnauzbart (literally, "snout beard"). So, for the German speakers who were officiating, Mike's moustache was none of these, as it certainly wasn't a string, covered more than his upper lip, and extended far beyond his snout. Mike ended up in the freestyle chin and cheek beard category.

What do you think? Does our friend Mike have a moustache or a beard?

Categorical Controversy

2005-08-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jürgen Burkhardt ----------- Karl- Heinz Hille ---------- Schani Mitterhauser

When world championships are at stake, there is bound to be controversy.

Consider the imperial moustache (in German: Kaiserlicher Backenbart) category at the World Beard and Moustache Championships. In Carson City in 2003, this category featured a face off between three facial-hair superstars: Jürgen Burkhardt’s, Karl-Heinz Hille, and Franz "Schani" Mitterhauser. Hille took the category and went on to be crowned overall champ. Schani came in second and Burkhardt settled for third.

Unfortunately, there won’t be a rematch of the Carson City showdown this year. Why not? The rules of the Association of German Beard Clubs (in German: Verband Deutscher Bartclubs or VDB) define an imperial moustache like this: "whiskers growing from the cheeks and upper lip; chin shaved; whiskers growing from the cheeks point upward." In the spring of 2004, the Berlin Beard Club (Hille’s club) protested to the VDB that Burkhardt’s and Mitterhauser’s whiskers did not point upward but curled over. The VDB agreed and required Burkhardt and Mitterhauser to compete in the future in the freestyle category.

So Hille should now be a shoe-in in this category, right? Wrong. Enter newcomer Hans-Peter Jahn, who recently beat out Hille in this category at the Beard Olympics in May.

Hans Peter Jahn

What will happen in Berlin? Stay tuned.

Picking the winners

2005-08-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

Picking the big winners at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Berlin 2005 on October 1 is no easy task. Don’t despair! My predictions are below.

This year, there will be no single overall winner. Instead trophies will be awarded in each of the seventeen categories as well as in each of the three overall classes – moustaches, partial beards, full beards.

Moustache Class.

This one is easy. Günter Rosin (pronounced: "Roe-zeen"), a taxi driver from Schorndorf,

Germany, has been the undefeated world champion in the Hungarian (or Wild West) moustache category since 1997. His winning streak started two years before Lance Armstrong’s streak in the Tour de France. Rosin also took top honors in the moustache class at the recent beard Olympics held in Austria. Don’t try talking to Günter before he takes the stage on competition day – he requires absolute peace and quiet as he prepares to compete. Unlike Armstrong, Rosin has no plans to retire.

Partial Beard Class.

Only one person on earth has ever been crowned overall champion at the World Beard and Moustache Championships – Berlin’s silver-bewhiskered Karl-Heinz Hille. He took top honors in Sweden in 1999 and again in Carson City in 2003. (There were no overall winners chosen at other WBMC’s.) Add to this the home court advantage and Hille should be the odds-on favorite. Not so quick! Karl-Heinz finished a disappointing third in his category (Imperial cheek beard) and therefore did not qualify for the final judging at the Beard Olympics last May. Nevertheless, I’m sticking with KHH because of his judge-appeal.

Full Beard Class.

This is a tough one. The top finishing full beard in Carson City belonged to Alaskan David Traver, who cannot make it to Berlin. I am going to go with Austria’s Hans Gassner, who competes in the full beard freestyle category. Gassner was the sentimental favorite at the Olympics where he took home the trophy in this class. He didn’t have to take the trophy very far, as the Olympics were held in his home town of Leogang.

OK, that is where I am putting my money. Remember where you heard it first.