2002 WORLDS MASTERS PREVIEW

Let's cut to the chase. The goal of every Master's team this year is to defeat, on the field and off, Seattle's Keg Workers of America, Local 333. It's no easy task. KWA players have been training for events in Hawaii for three years, attending tournaments with the goal of winning them through sheer appreciation of the game and the benefits of playing this sport. One of those benefits being the ability to have a keg of high-quality brew on the sideline, natch.

Another is the recognition of what it takes to put together a good Ultimate team. KWA lost in the U.S. Finals two years ago to Old and in the Way and missed out a chance to attend Worlds. In revenge they restocked their team and came back to win US Nationals two years in a row, and now look towards winning Worlds. Pickups like Stu Downs and Calvin Lin make this team even more dangerous, adding to classic players like Tom and Pete Barnouw, CVH, Mike Glass, and more.

If Old and In The Way can summon up enough of the ancient Boulder Beer powers to out-ale the Keg Workers, then we'll see a good show. Old in the Way standout Phil Lohre, best known for catching the winning goal in the 1991 German National Championships, will be in Hawaii to represent, as will standouts Bob Pease, Jim Glynn, Bob Smith and Paul deMorgan. This Colorado team won worlds in 2000 and made finals at US Nationals this past year.

Chicago-area Chronic won the party in Sarasota in 2001, so you know the answer to "what is the chronic?". Several players still carrying the torch from the 1986 Windy City Open champions will be present, as well as a hodge-podge of regional legends like E-Man and Thrill-A-Minute.

Toronto's Aged to perfection can match KWA's administrative prowess (both CVH and Troy "Bucky" Frever from are UPA affiliated) with John Harris, the executive director of the Canadian Ultimate Players Association.

It’s Vancouver's Farm Accidents you have to watch out for (pardon the pun). With former Furious players Mich Roy and Jamie Kelly, and a rap sheet from previous tournaments, these Canadian masters will provide a threat to the top teams. They can also issue a challenge to Boulder Beer and KWA with "Cage-timate beer hunter" so be prepared.

From Calgary, the Relics hope to fashion a win for the ages, with John Thornton, Steev Limin and Darren Labrash behind the wheel. This past Canadian Championships they defeated the Farm Accidents and are thus seeded high for Worlds.

Sarasota's Skeleton Crew bring together Florida legends from two decades of play. Finishing fourth at US Nationals they will feel more than comfortable with the weather conditions in Hawaii.

The WinniPagans shining moment came in true Northern Exposure fashion, " Our best game came at the Annual Winter Ice Huck of '95. The tournament is held every three years. That year it was minus 37 out with a strong cross wind and driving snow. We decided to take off the mitts and wool toques for the deciding hard-cap point. The game was tied at 0. We moved away from the portable field heaters, hiked up our shorts and beat the Snowmen with D.Q. "Frosty" finding JUB going Ho into the frigid endzone. JUB slid on the ice for about 15 metres, finally disappearing under a snowbank. That spring, when we finally found him, he was posthumorously awarded a beer for his efforts."

This was written for Chasing Plastic and 2002 Worlds but never published.

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