2009 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Begin
Events such as the Seal Hop, Alaskan High Kick, and the Blanket Toss (also known as the Nalukataq) will take place at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, which begins today and finishes July 18th. Since the first games were held in Fairbanks in 1961, the WEIO have tested participants' balance, agility, and strength (who will win in the Ear Weight competition?) in a variety of traditional events. Along with demonstrations of athleticism, competitions are held for Best Native Dance and Best Native Dress (for both Eskimo and Indian).
Here's a video showcasing the 2007 games:
-- Lisa Lombardi
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Retired Pro Fisherman Lands a 'Monster'
Retired pro bass-fisher Roland Martin landed a 227-pound swordfish yesterday in Islamorada, Fla., writes ESPN.com. The even bigger catch? Martin hauled in the behemoth all by himself. Martin was checking offshore fishing sites for his charter company and decided to see if the swordfish were biting when he hooked the 8-foot fish. What followed was a modern-day reenactment of The Old Man and The Sea as Martin spent 30 minutes pulling the fish to the surface, and then struggled to get it onto the boat. The famous angler doesn't recommend going solo for a fish that big, but "everything just sort of worked out."
-- Lisa Lombardi
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First Goring Death in Pamplona Since 1995
This year's Running of the Bulls in Spain marked the first goring death since 1995, 27-year-old Daniel Jimeno Rivera. Rivera's death renewed the long-running debate whether safety regulations should be heightened further or if the tradition should be discontinued due to its danger and treatment of animals. The Bull Run is a staple of Pamplona's San Fermin Festival, drawing thousands of people each year for the eight runs that begin on July 7th and end on the 14th.
Read one person's first-person experience of getting gored by a bull, and an expert's advice on how to survive the bull run, in 2007's "Survival Stories."
-- Lisa Lombardi
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Tour de France: Cavendish Takes 11th Stage
Mark Cavendish has won Stage 11 of the Tour de France. Rinaldo Nocentini retains the overall lead at 43:28:59. Alberto Contador remains second overall, and his teammate Lance Armstrong remains in third place overall.
--Aileen Torres
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Meyerhoffer's New Board Polarizes Surfers
Surf enthusiasts are divided over designer Thomas Meyerhoffer's new surfboard prototype which, well, doesn't look like a surfboard. The Meyerhoffer board flips the traditional look, with the back tapered rather than the front, and a slight hourglass shape. These changes are supposed to make the longboard ride like a shortboard, quicker and easier to manuever. The New York Times reports that Meyerhoffer's first run of about 1,000 boards has sold out, and there is already a backlog of orders.
Read our feature on Meyerhoffer and watch below as he describes the board and the design process.
Have you tried out one of his boards? Tell us what you think about it in the comments section below.
-- Lisa Lombardi
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Jeff Lowe Honored by American Alpine Club
The American Alpine Club will award accomplished ice climber Jeff Lowe with an honorary membership, the club's highest accolade, according to Rock and Ice. Lowe began climbing in the 1960s and is credited with introducing European climbing techniques to the U.S. Aside from excelling in the sport with more than 1,000 first ascents, Lowe designed and tested climbing gear for Latok Mountain Gear (which was later bought by Lowe Alpine), and conceptualized and designed the innovative refrigerated holographic ice tower for the winter X-Games in the 1990s (Alpine Iron Works later sold the tower to Ogden Climbing Parks). Lowe no longer climbs since doctors diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis, but supports the non-profit Ogden Climbing Parks, which promotes climbing in Ogden, Utah, and offers climbing programs for under-privileged kids and those with disabilities.
For more about Jeff Lowe, read "Last Night I Dreamed I Had Legs."
-- Lisa Lombardi
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Gear Army: Women's Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus
Most people don't know that there are women's-specific sleeping pads. I was skeptical of such a claim. Sure, the Therm-a-Rest Women's ProLite Plus Mattress ($90) is purple but what else could make it feminine? Turns out, there's strategically-placed insulation bulked up in places where women get cold like their hips and feet. I didn't notice the difference in warmth when I was sleeping on it, but I suppose that's a good thing.
This is the best pad I've used in recent memory. I tried it in a tent as well as outside under a sleeping bag and the padding thickness was perfect. Let's just say this was the closest I've been to sleeping on an air mattress. At first, I thought the pad looked small (it's tapered cut measures at about 20" x 66" x 1.5"), but when I carried it on my pack it felt very balanced between my shoulders and hips. (I'm 5'8" and 130 pounds.)
Continue reading "Gear Army: Women's Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus" »
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July 14, 2009
Breck Epic Recap
The Breck Epic has been finished for 96 hours although my
body is still as sore as the day after, despite aggressive
attempts at recovery that have included ample couch time, refreshing hopped
beverages and even a massage. What a great week, what a great race. It was
truly incredible to see this first class event come together in the mountains I
love. I felt like I was part of something special- not like “A Special Evening
with Loggins and Messina,” but the first iteration of a race I think will
become the first successful mountain bike stage race in the US.
I would like to congratulate all my fellow riders, and what a group it was. The overwhelming theme I saw in the field was that of mutual respect- no prima donnas, no pointless aggro passing or other needless race day jackassery that I’ve unfortunately seen more than once. Racers were pumped on the event and it showed in their attitude on the course. In the Men’s SS category, there was great camaraderie and spirited competition. I’m truly glad I accepted the challenge to race SS and mix it up with such a great group of guys.
Continue reading "Breck Epic Recap" »
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The Recap: World's Longest Canoe and Kayak Race
Paddling Life put together a full recap of the 2009 Yukon River Quest, the world's longest canoe and kayak race. This year 56 out of the 73 original teams completed the 460-mile race that stretches from Whitehorse to Dawson City. The "Texans" pocketed the $2100 overall first prize with a winning time of 40:52. New records were made in both the women's tandem canoe and tandem kayak divisions. For a list of all the teams that placed, go to paddlinglife.com.
--Alison Kelman
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Watch The Mammut Bouldering Championships Live
The 2009 Mammut Bouldering Championships will be the first climbing competition ever to stream live via web feed to a global audience, according to Rock and Ice. The competition will take place at the Outdoor Retail Summer Market in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 21. Last year's climbers included Chris Sharma (see video above) and Alex Puccio. Tune in Tuesday evening to watch the event on the NE2C productions website.
--Alison Kelman
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