If you were like many people in the Ultimate community in Australia last
week you would have been following the progress at the World Ultimate
and Guts Championships in Vancouver. With six teams competing there was
enough to follow without even going to a game. Brief summaries are:

- In the Open Division, the Dingoes topped their pool, and lost only one
game in the second pooling, entering the championship race in the final
eight. Unfortunately they lost to Great Britain who they'd beaten
earlier in the rounds, in what I can only guess was a disappointing
game. They went on to beat Sweden and Finland to end with a final
ranking of 5th.

- In the Womens the Firetails were placed second in their pool behind
the USA, then lost a cross-over game against Canada. They then had a
fantastic game against Great Britain, winning 16-15 after being three
points behind at the cap call I believe: one of the games of the
tournament! Unfortunately they then lost to the Japanese in the semis,
ending with a sensational 4th placing.

- In the Mixed the Barramundis finished second in their pool behind the
USA, which seems to be becoming traditional. In the second pool they
also had losses to Canada and Japan, the eventual finalists, but beat
Great Britain thank goodness (my girlfriend is English so this is
important). Making the semis they lost to Japan, eventually coming in
4th after losing again to the USA.

- In the Masters the Taipans completed the pool games in third place
having had losses to Canada and the USA. In the semi they lost to
Canada again, finally losing in another close game to NZ (17-15) which
would have been frustrating to take out 4th place.

- In the Junior Open Division the Thunder, placing third following
losses to USA and Canada -- did I write that already? -- had a narrow
loss to Great Britain 17-15, which would have been just as frustrating
given that they beat them 15-13 in the rounds. They then beat the
French, which is always fun, finally losing to Columbia 15-14 to finish 6th.

- And finally to the Junior Women. Southern Terra finished third in the
pool play having actually beaten USA, Canada and Great Britain! With
losses to Columbia and Japan, they were still into the semi-finals with
a game against Columbia. From all reports the girls played their hearts
out and beat Columbia 17-15 to make the final, finishing in second place
to a dominating Japanese team and the best placing of any Australian
team. Magnificent effort by Southern Terra!

Although there were some disappointments this ended a great campaign by
the Australians. With 2nd, three 4ths, a 5th and a 6th placing we are
pretty well guaranteed another crack at the 6 slots for the World Games
in Taiwan in 2009 (the five topped-ranked teams overall at WUGC, I
believe, go to the games). It certainly gives me a warm fuzzy feeling
as I sit on the couch. (Andy Normand just posted on aus-ultimate that
all teams, except the Dingoes who only dropped two places, improved
their placings from Turku in 2004, which is a fantastic effort!)

In more local news, the semi finals and ranking games for Monday
Division 2 were played last Monday night (how strange!). I'd make
something up about the games, but I've been typing for minutes now and
I'm tired. Results:

Semi 1: Moho (4) v Hat (15)
Semi 2: MUCUS (15) v LaTuff (7)
5th v 6th: Intrepid (11) v Monash (12)
7th v 8th: MUFCOY (14) v Ul. Social (13)
9th v 10th: Best (no show) v Cheese (gets the win)

So in an upset the Hat Team managed a win over Moho to make the final
from 4th and the same win-loss record as 5th. MUCUS had a convincing
win over LaTuff (with two "f"s this week), meaning a Hat Team v MUCUS
final. I'm assuming this will be at 7pm, even though there are no other
games on, unless Carroll emails otherwise. I'm also assuming that there
will be a BBQ for spectators and players, unless Carroll emails
otherwise. I also figure you might be able to rustle up a pick-up game
at 8:30pm if you are feeling keen (bring a light and a dark top), unless
Carroll emails otherwise. It should be a great night, unless Carroll
emails otherwise.

For those interested in what is happening next season, so am I.
Apparently half the committee is swanning around the northern
hemisphere, and are not in a decision making mood. I know Marty is
taking over from Carroll and Katie as Monday night coordinator. In the
interests of my public, I tried out my soothsaying abilities to read the
entrails of a bird to divine the will of the Ultimate gods for next
season. This wasn't so successful given the bird in question came from
Coles and was giblet-free -- it was free range though -- but I do
believe the Spring season will start close to the start of September,
most likely the 1st of September, running through to the second week of
December, and will involve Division One and Two teams with a
registration page going up soon. Watch this space for further information!

Good luck to you all as you face another week in August!

Sam

PS Don't forget to listen out for Mama on JJJ morning show this week.
Bets are on Monday...