NY Open, Bryant Park Oct 11-12- 2008

The 2008 New York Open Tournament. It is a 2 day tournament (Oct 11 & 12), an open select doubles. "Big money and prizes galore!" We are expecting teams from around the country and Canada. Entry fee is $60/team. Registration deadline is October 8.

Entry Form: http://www.labouleny.com/pdfs/2008/NYOPEN-Entry-Form.pdf

A tournament in Manhattan's Bryant Park, is like no other.

It was a great joy to play our favorite game on gravel terrains in a park made lush by thick lawn, and dense beds of well tended plants, all under cover of mature platanes (London Plane trees) pruned American style, for height and canopy.

This past weekend's WCQT, to determine the team to represent the U.S. and the FPUSA in the next World Championships, was impeccably organized by Ernesto Santos and Steve Ginsberg of La Boule New Yorkaise with a lot of help from their fellow club members.

The draw for the initial games began last Saturday morning (Sep 27) while players comprising the 14 triplette teams from around the country (California, Maine, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Washington) munched French pastries, bought souvenir shirts, and made decisions on how best to play in the rain, just a t-shirt because it was warm, or with rain gear because of the intermittent drizzle.

(LBNY vs PPC in Sunday pools)

After playing 4 games on Saturday, the best 8 teams were slotted into two pools of 4 teams each for Sunday morning. The others went to the Federation cup, an "open" tournament with prizes and trophy cups, that replaced the traditional consolante

On Sunday, under better skies, but with one little soaker of a rain about mid-morning, pool play commenced. A team needed two wins for a spot in the finals and by mid-afternoon, we had our match ups.

(Sunday pools play)

The rains had caused the usually "hard as a rock" terrain to be a mix of soft and firm spots, making it difficult for pointers to read the landing spots for plombées, and continuing the maddening (for shooters) tendency for boules to bound away harmlessly unless they first hit steel. A shot boule touching the ground first, inevitably was a wasted ball. And, it was difficult for pointers to get both their boules "in the game" because of the variability of the wet ground.

(Andre (MBC) measures in a semi-final game)

In the semi-finals then, It was Alec Stone Sweet, Richard "Ti" Meas,(both of LBNY) and PJ Mallette (VOMPC) against Andre Strong, Mia Kanazawa, and Mark Kindschi(all Maine Boules Club), and Jean-Pierre Subrenat, Xavier Thibaud, and Eric Bertin (all LBNY) against Peter Mathis (VOMPC), Juan Garcia, and Mamary Coulibaly, (both of Boca Petanque).

After this round of games, the final was to be between Alec, Ti, and PJ and Jean-Pierre, Xavier and Eric. The other two teams, Andre, Mia, and Mark, and Peter, Juan, and Mamary, both won third place bronze medals after a decision earlier this year to do away with another match to determine 3rd and 4th places. Peter's team won the coin toss to be third in line for players to fill in for the next "worlds" if enough players in the first two teams are unable to attend.

The final was, by all accounts, one of the best matches seen in years. The club's usual practice terrain was converted to the Carré d'Honneur, since it had not been used in the concours and was therefore, neutral, conferring equal challenge to both teams.

Spectators gathered on chairs and benches, talking ceased, and the jack was tossed out to begin the match.

(the final)

It began with soaring plombées from Alec, and equally effective lofts from Jean-Pierre, who seemed to add a little twist on his points. Even so, it was not unusual to see what looked to be a perfectly launched boule land short, or go rolling past the cochonnet. Yet often enough, the repeat toss went right to the jack and rested against it.

When Ti connected one of his shots, it was a delight to behold, propelled out of his hand, his boule followed a fast and flat trajectory to its mark, causing a loud "crack" with one or both boules coming to rest many feet away. Eric, on the other hand, tended to shoot with a higher arc and it usually hit its mark, though as the game progressed, Xavier took on more of the shooting for his team. PJ did double duty with very high and effective plombées and hard fast shots.

After Alec, Ti, and PJ pulled ahead to a 7-3 lead, Jean-Pierre, Xavier, and Eric began to find their game. In a few short ends though, it was 12-7 for Alec's team. But in the next end, Jean-Pierre's team found themselves with the point and the other team out of boules. All of Alec's, Ti's and PJ's boules were clustered in front of that point, and the back was open country.

A concerted effort from Jean-Pierre, Xavier, and Eric, then began, trying to move the jack back into open ground where the rest of their boules could more easily be tossed in to give them a 12-13 victory.

But, boule after boule was rolled, and plombéed at the cochonnet, and while they were all close, the jack was not to be budged. So it became 12-8, still for Alec, Ti, and PJ.

One might say a second game now began, very tense, lots of pressure, with both teams making spectacular plays and points, always followed by applause from spectators, and it was quickly 12-12, with the last end about to decide the winners.

It began with a good point, then another, then a shot missed, a jack moved, more attempts at the point, finally there was a point from Jean-Pierre deflected at the last second by a piece of half-buried paper but coming to rest just in front and a centimeter or two farther away from the jack than Alec's boule.

Now, there were two boules very close together, both inches from the jack, the one behind belonging to Alec's team and holding the point. Another shot was attempted by Xavier at this back boule without success. Eleven boules had been played but everyone's attention was fixed on those two by the jack. There was game on the ground unless the boule that remained, the one resting in Eric's hand could make it different.

The eternal question was in the air, shoot or point? Eric went into a crouch to point and released his boule smoothly and forcefully, it dropped and rolled deliberately toward the jack, passed between it and the other boules and continued on its way, but as it passed, it clipped the back boule, pushing it farther from the jack. The game was over!

Spectators were out of their seats, hands were being grasped, players embraced, some players teared up.

(the winner's take their due)

The winning team, and the one to represent the FPUSA in the next World Games, is Jean-Pierre Subrenat, Xavier Thibaud, and Eric Bertin. Our hearty congratulations to both teams for such a good game, and our best wishes to the winners for a successful "Worlds".

Here is the scoring line duly recorded by Ernesto: 2-0, 2-3, null, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7, 8-7, 10-7, 12-7, 12-8, 12-10, 12-12, 12-13.

At the Awards Dinner celebration at the nearby Saju Bistro restaurant, players were treated to a complimentary pastis from LBNY, and a most excellent meal of tasty entree's followed by a short ceremony of medals and prizes awards.

( the boys from LBNY get their medals)

(PJ accepts the 2nd place team recognition)

(Peter and Juan collect their team's bronze)

In the Federation Cup, the winners were, Christophe Chambers, Lucien Rakotojaona, and Raja Harb in first (LBNY), followed by Cynthia Stroud, Jetsun Penkalski, and Peter Soriano (MBC) in second. Congratulations all!

(Christophe and Lucien with their team's Federation Cup win)

A wonderful weekend for all making the trip, thanks to the camaraderie of the players, the work of LBNY, and the setting of Bryant Park, spectacular even in the rain.

Here is a Link to more Pictures of the Tournament.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Juankydotcom/WCQTBryantParkNY#

Resin jacks banned

Citing safety concerns, the FPUSA board, composed of players elected by its member clubs, has recently voted to ban the use of resin jacks in all competitions and casual play.

Anyone who has been hit by a jack whizzing across the terrain after being struck by a shot boule knows how much it can hurt and there is anecdotal evidence that injuries to players are more severe and more painful from these plastic jacks than from the wooden ones.

The FPUSA ban follows the lead of a couple of European federations that banned the jacks after noticing player reactions from being hit by the heavier plastic jacks. There is some suspicion that the plastic compresses upon impact from the steel boule and then is projected into the air with even more force than the wooden jack.

Latest Updated FPUSA Tournament Schedule

From the Sport Committee comes the most up to date tournament schedule which includes information for the SW Region Mixed Doubles.

Click on schedule to enlarge it

Latest sign up info on the WCQT in New York

From Ernesto Santos, President of La Boule New Yorkaise, we have sign up and lodging information for the World Championship Qualification Tournament set for September 27-28 in Bryant Park, NYC.

The information is in the form of a pdf at this link: http://www.labouleny.com/pdfs/2008/WCQT-entry-form+Rules.pdf


There will also be a Sunday Dinner sign-up form available at a later time. If you will be joining us for the weekend please inquire about that before sending in your team registration.

Contact Ernesto at: president@labouleny.com or visit their website at www.labouleny.com

Quebecois or Kewbekwa? Petanque or pay-tonk?

Parc Ferland, Quebec City,

Some will recognize right away that Kebekwa is the phonetic spelling of Québécois, and is now the name of the pro basketball team in Québec City (the "Kebs"), but it also describes the nationality of most of the 70+ teams of men and women who competed this last weekend in the first "Marseillaise of the Ville de Québec".
Friendlier players won't be found and they quickly showed what good hosts they were too, for the 3 Japanese teams, and the 6 teams with Americans on them.

(the 3 Japanese teams and the Ricard representatives)


A small park just a few short minutes from the Vieux Québec tourist district was set with a large circus tent, a number of smaller "pop-ups", and 32 courts, all ready for two days of serious petanque, some relaxed socializing while sipping some of Ricard's best "jaune", a couple of fine catered lunches, and a bang up dinner and awards presentation that had most of us in bed by midnight Sunday.

La Boule New Yorkaise teams enjoy a yummy lunch (seated at the table on the right)

Courts were just 3 meters by 15, but they played well, small gravel, firm underneath, and shots could be either "a la rafle" or precisely "au fer", otherwise they would bounce. One did have to be careful not to stand in another team's playing area, and, once in a while, a jack would get kicked into another court, but teams waited courteously while the end finished. The organization was flawless and with 32 teams in the Sunday consolantes, two of them were run simultaneously while the concours was also played.

About 20 volunteers from local clubs made sure lunch tickets were doled out, teams located, and all questions answered, mostly in French, but there were ample numbers of English speakers.

Young ladies from Ricard were handing out free samples of the traditional pastis drink and a newer one featuring cranberry juice with a squeeze of lemon. Very nice, you say? Yes, it was.
The final match on Sunday, played on well lighted courts, featured two Québec teams playing to 15 points surrounded by appreciative spectators on bleachers. It was back and forth until one team composed of Yanic, Mario, and "Domi" had come from behind to make the score 12-10. Yanic's team had 3 boules in hand and the point. The other team had one boule left and shot at the boule holding the point hoping to bring their others on the ground, back in, but, as luck would have it, hit the jack instead, popping it out and giving three points and victory to Yanic's team.

(the final, Yanic, Mario, and "Domi" in blue and white)

Three teams with Americans on them finished in the money. David from Chicago came to the tournament hoping to be matched up and was put with two Québec players and finished 14th out of 16 in the concours. John Rolland, our former FPUSA president, also playing with two Québecois finished second in one of the consolantes, and, the team of Robert Pierre, Diana Jacobs, and Joe Martin, finished 2nd in the other consolante. The other 3 American teams, all from LBNY, were waylaid before reaching a final of some sort.

(one of the money teams, left to right, Robert, Diana, and Joe)


(LBNY appears in force)

In one of the many "tombolas" or lotteries conducted during the weekend, Jean Pierre Subrenat won a nice set of Obut boules.

Those Canadians do play a good game and Québec feels like France, so if Europe airfares and prices are too discouraging, think of our friends to the north of us.

see you on the courts,
Joe

Bastille Day and Petanque in Portland, Oregon!

This past weekend, the French community in Portland celebrated Bastille Day, their Independence Day, in a nice little downtown park. As many as 5,000 attended and were treated to live French music and song, a waiters' race, dog show, fencing demonstration and of course, petanque, all while enjoying merguez sausages, French beverages and an offering of French themed merchandise by local merchants.

The fellow from the San Francisco French Consulate was astonished and very pleased to see such an active petanque community so far from France.
Special thanks are due to Petanque America for boules sets awarded to participants in a free raffle.

Organized by the Portland Petanque Club with help from volunteers from other petanque groups, spectators enjoyed the boules pointing activities, the on-going petanque games, and a selection of literature about petanque and where and how to play our favorite game.



Our group was attracted to this activity because it seems to us that francophiles are ideal prospects for this wonderful past time. Maybe there is a similar opportunity in your community.

Here are a few waiters, walking fast and hoping their drinks don't spill! A player in the Portland Club won this race and several hundred dollars!

A tournament in the wine country of Burgundy!

From Les Amis de la Pétanque in Chalons-sur-Saône, we have notice of a men's and a women's triples tournament September 12-14, just a few months away.

Chalons-sur-Saône is just south of Beaune, well known for its fine wines.

For an official FPUSA team, tournament organizers are providing meals and lodging for 3 players and two additional persons.

There are trophies and prize money to the winners.

To be considered as the official FPUSA team contact Robert Pierre (rcpierresq@hotmail.com), our International Events Coordinator, ASAP, to begin the selection process.

New Blog site for La Petanque Mariniere

One longstanding Bay Area club and home to many fine players, La Petanque Mariniere, of Marin County, California announces their new blog site:

http://www.petanque-marin.blogspot.com/

All their current happenings are just a click away, including coverage of the New Zealand visit to the Sonoma area.

Have a look!

The "Kiwi's" come-a-calling!

After months of planning, nearly two dozen senior players in the New Zealand Petanque Federation have arrived to visit and play in California, beginning last weekend.

The idea of a competition between the Americans and the "Kiwi's" began with a conversation in Pattaya, Thailand at the "worlds" last year, between SC director Ed Porto and a player in the NZ federation, and it developed into three competitions, one each in Sonoma, Oakhurst, and Los Angeles, and sponsored by the VOMPC (Sonoma), LPM (San Rafael), OPC (Oakhurst), and LAPC (Los Angeles).

More than 70 players participated in Sonoma, and the paella pans were brimming over for one of the get togethers. The players from New Zealand walked off with a first place finish over us Americans in the Sonoma Tournament, 64-51, but there was great fun as you will see by visiting these links posted by players who attended the event.

www.petanque-marin.blogspot.com

http://cochonnetmarin.com/whatsnew.htm

They are on to Oakhurst and then to Los Angeles, now.

Congratulations to all the planners and players for this event!

NW REGION PLAYER? JOIN US FOR THE DOUBLES!

Greetings!

If you are a player in the FPUSA NW Region from one of these clubs: Boule d'Or, Boule Joyeuse, Club Francais de Sacramento, Eugene Petanque iClub, Lamorinda Petanque, La Petanque Mariniere, Salt Lake City Petanque Club, Seattle Petanque Club, Valley of the Moon Petanque Club or the Willits Boules Club, then we invite you to visit the Portland Petanque Club in Oregon and compete in this tournament.


Here is the tentative schedule for the weekend.

Friday July 25
Courts Open beginning at 3pm for practice

Saturday July 26- The Melee, an open doubles tournament where players are matched randomly with others for the day's matches.

8am- Complimentary Coffee and Pastries

9am- Open Doubles Melee begins

$15 per player to enter- Advance Registration preferred (see entry form), but entries accepted on day of event prior to start of tournament.

Lunch- $5 (turkey on rye, or vegie sandwich w/brie, fruit and soft drink)


Prize Purse- $10 per player per FPUSA formula based on number of teams entering.


Sunday- The Regional Select Doubles- NW Region players enter with a pre-selected partner of their choice to compete for the title.

8am- complimentary coffee and pastries

9am- NW Regional Select Doubles begins- Advance Registration by mail or no later than 5pm the day before, July 26. $30 per team to enter.

Lunch- $5 (turkey on rye, or vegie sandwich w/brie, fruit and soft drink)

Prize purse per FPUSA formula

Awards Dinner following the final match. $25.00 per person. Please reserve your seat by sending in the Meal Reservation form.

THE MEAL RESERVATION FORM, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND VIEW

THE NW REGIONAL DOUBLES REGISTRATION FORM, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND VIEW

THE HOTEL INFORMATION SHEET, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND VIEW

Eight days of tournaments in Nyons, France!

Our International Events Coordinator, Robert Pierre, tells us of series of Petanque and Provençale tournaments over 8 days in Nyons, France, October 4-12, 2008.

And, for the team representing the FPUSA, Nyons Petanque is providing complimentary lodging and meals for one team for the 5 th International de l'Olivier on October 4-5.

Here is the poster advertising the tournament and the rich purses for the winners. Teams from Monaco, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium have already submitted entries. Enrollment is limited to 512 teams, and this one has proved to be very popular and well attended by top notch players, so now is the time to think about entering. (double-click on this poster to enlarge)

If you are interested to be on the official FPUSA team, please contact Robert Pierre, rcpierresq@hotmail.com, no later than July 31, for more information and to begin the selection process, which includes approval from the FPUSA Sport Committee.

Note: Nyons is about an hour+ drive North from Avignon close to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine growing region, and known for its very fine black olives.

2008 HERY OPEN - Select Doubles

2008 HERY OPEN
Pétanque Tournament - Select Doubles

SATURDAY JUNE 21st
NEW YORK CITY
BRYANT PARK

La Boule New Yorkaise is organizing its first major tournament of the season the HERY OPEN (previously the Madagascar Open, renamed in honor of one of LBNY's best player who went back to Madagascar earlier this year).

Purse: $1,500 (plus numerous prizes)

Entry fee: $40 per team until June 18th. (includes breakfast and soft drinks all day)
After that date, entry fee goes up to $50
Main concours and consolante on the same day.

We start to pre-register immediately.

Download the form and mail it with your check to:

La Boule New Yorkaise
P.O. Box 1520
New York, NY 10276

For questions email to
info@labouleny.com

Mark your calendars for the next major events of LBNY:

World Championship Qualification Tournament (select triples): September 27th & 28th
New York Open (select doubles): October 11th and 12th

http://www.labouleny.com/

From immersion petanque to submersion petanque

If the just completed Guiness world record for marathon petanque was "immersion" petanque, we now bring you submersion petanque.

Probably filmed in the Calanques close to Marseilles and Cassis, these players use a "piggy" for their cochonnet, and have outfitted their watery court with a bench and play a full-on game complete with shooting, pointing, and color commentary.

We have this link thanks to one of this country's well know petanque families, the Toulons. Their nephew is the player in black.

It is in French, but you don't let that deter you from enjoying this game. Who knows, maybe it could go in the Guiness Book of World records right along with the one the players in Rochester just set!

here is the link:

http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=-6281530997950404054&q=premiere+mondiale+au+royaume&ei=_GI9SIibB4-K2QLJhYTQAw&hl=fr

Guinness, Petanque and Technology.

I'm back from Rochester, Michigan after a long Petanque weekend Playing the longest Petanque Marathon for 48 Hours and a new Guinness World Record.

Congratulations to all the Participants and specially to Joe, Jeff and Denise for all the coordination and effort to make this happen.

An special Recognition to Dave Reed the 15 year old Computer Genius that put together the Chat and Live Video feed for the world to watch.

Links for more details and Pictures

http://www.petanquealliance.com/

http://petanqueamericaopen.blogspot.com/

One weekend, 6 tournaments, all of them fun!

The first ever FPUSA National Mixed Triples tournament and the National Singles tournaments for men and women were a grand success over the May 17-18 weekend, superbly hosted by the Club Francais de Sacramento (CFS) on their home courts in Rancho Cordova.THE MORNING DRAW (l to R, Reid, Ed,Kevin, Jose,Alain)

In unseasonal fry-an-egg-on-the-car-hood heat, the shade from the “platanes” felt life saving and the water misters brought in by CFS’s Kevin McGill attracted players like robins to a bird bath.PLATANE TREES JUST LIKE IN EUROPE

Forty-nine players from 13 different clubs all over the country (see list at end) were enrolled in Saturday’s Men’s and Women’s tete-a-tete tournaments, and 66 players formed up for Sunday’s Mixed Triples. Plus, there were consolantes for each, so a total of 6 tournaments for the weekend, a real challenge, expertly scheduled by tournament organizers, Kevin, Reid Evans, and José Gonzalez, assisted by FPUSA Sport Director, Ed Porto, and supplying as many petanque games as any player could wish for, as many as seven each day, not counting pickup games worked in here and there.

Saturday’s singles were formatted using 25 courts, three morning 11 point qualifying games, followed by a welcome lunch of baguette sandwiches, chips and soft drinks, just the energy recharge needed for what looks to spectators like a “no-sweat” sport, but one that is in-fact a real calorie burner.

After lunch, those players with the best win/point spread records were slotted into the single elimination 13 point concours playoffs, and others began the same in the consolantes. (16 of the 32 men into the concours, 16 into the consolante, 9 of the 17 women into the concours, 8 into the consolante)

The sloping, uneven, but beautifully prepared courts were devilishly difficult to point on ( generally, a good thing because we like a challenge, right?) Often a good point was followed by one that went crazily out of play, even though the player thought the release was the same as before, so there were many one point ends.

Louis Toulon, Men's Singles Champion with Joe Martin

By late afternoon, with water and Gatorade bottles strewn about and overflowing the garbage tubs like movie popcorn , we had our winners. In the men’s it is Louis Toulon (LPM) in first place over PJ Mallette (VOMPC), and Mickey Coughlin (WBC) took 3rd over Patrick Vaslet (VOMPC). In the women’s, it was Erin McTaggart , over Barbara Hall , and in 3rd, Narin Garrett (all three from VOMPC! ), and Diana Jacobs (LAPC) taking 4th.(l to r, Narin, Erin, Barbara, & Diana)

In the singles consolantes, for the men, it was Joe Martin (PPC), Hans Kurz (VOMPC), and Philippe Arnaud (CFS) places first through third, respectively. And the women’s consolante produced Mary Jane Campbell (OPC), Elizabeth Gonzalez (CFS), and Tish Harris (OPC), first, second and third.

Wonderful players all, and watching this level of play is always engrossing.

THE APERO
(l to r, Bill Albright, John Morris, & Reid Evans)

And, then a fun part of the day, the serving of the traditional “apero” or aperitif on the courts while awarding medals, and before meeting up later for a nicely planned banquet at a local restaurant, which ended early enough to allow a full night’s rest before Sunday’s round of play, the National Mixed Triples.

Sunday’s inaugural Mixed Triples was cleverly combined for play on the same weekend as the singles, thus giving players an additional reason to gather: one “road trip”, two different tournaments, what a deal!

Again, the format began with three 11 point qualifying games in the morning, and a good thing, too. One of these eleven pointers went to two hours, threatening a long day for the tourney to play out.

THE PIZZA LINE

By the time the mountain of pizzas were opened and loaded onto plates next to a tasty green salad for another satisfying lunch, the morning games were finishing up and 14 of the 22 teams had moved into the concours, and the remaining 8 into the consolante, all single elimination 13 point games.

While it didn’t seem quite as hot as the day before, plastic drink bottles were again being emptied and discarded, one after the other, and the host club was kept busy refilling ice chests with fresh cases. What troopers they were and how much we players appreciated their work to keep us hydrated and happy!

As the sun approached the horizon and the light began to fade, we had our winning teams.

Playing on the “carré d’honneur”, it was the team of Raymond Nielsen, and Pym Nielsen (both LBD), and Eric Thiebault (LPC) emerging in first place over Michel Cardon, Diana Jacobs, and Max Legrand (all LAPC). On another court, PJ Mallette, Peter Mathis, and Narin Garrett (all VOMPC) bested fourth place winners Ed Porto (VOMPC), Jean-Pierre Subrenat (LBNY), and Erin McTaggart (VOMPC).

First Place (l to r, Kevin, Eric ,Pym, Raymond, & Joe)

Second Place (l to r, Kevin, Diana , Michel, Max, & Joe)

Third Place (l to r, Peter, Narin, Joe, PJ, & Kevin)

Fourth Place (l to r, Erin, Joe, Jean-Pierre, & Ed)

And finishing up the consolante in First was CFS team, Reed Evans, Pierre Bremont, and Helen McGill. In second was John Morris, Caleb Morris, and Sara Davis, all also CFS, and in third place it was Joe Martin (PPC), Frank Pipal (VOMPC) and Christine Cragg (LPM).

First in the Consolante (l to r, Pierre, Joe, Reid, Helen, & Kevin)

And yes, there was another round of medal presenting also accompanied by another generous “apero” offering by our fine hosts, the Club Francais de Sacramento.

It was an altogether glorious weekend, made so by the excellent organization of the Sacramento club and a big bunch of very good players with very good attitudes.

These are fun events, the capstone to showing up on your club’s courts week end and week out for practice.

Come on out for the next one, you’ll be happy you did!

(Clubs participating: NE Region- Maine Boules Club(MBC), La Boule New Yorkaise(LBNY), SW Region-Fresno Petanque Club(FPC), Los Angeles Petanque Club(LAPC), Oakhurst Petanque Club (OPC), NW Region-Club Francais de Sacramento(CFS),La Boule d'Or(LBD),La Boule Joyeuse(LBJ),La Petanque Mariniere(LPM), Lamorinda Petanque Club(LPC), Portland Petanque Club (PPC), Valley of the Moon Petanque Club(VOMPC), and Willits Boules Club(WBC)

Special thanks for photos from Tim Channell, (FPC)

Carolina OPEN a Success!!!

This new FPUSA club has started the Year on the right foot with a great Open Tournament with 18 Teams and that's because there were a couple of National Tournaments in Sacramento, CA. I do expect around 32 Teams next Year and I will be there to see it.

Follow the Links for Full details:

http://petanqueamericaopen.blogspot.com/

http://carolina-petanque.blogspot.com/

Great Job Carolina!

Guinness World Record Attempt - Longest Petanque Marathon

On May 23rd at 5:00 p.m. twelve hardy souls will attempt to break a Guinness World's Record set by the Germans at 40 hours and 9 minutes.

Coming from all across the United States, they will congregate in Rochester, Michigan for this intense challenge.

Details at: Petanque Alliance

Boca 2000 Open Tournament- May 4th

BOCA PETANQUE 2000.

FORMED DOUBLETTES.

SUNDAY MAY 4TH. 2008.


9:00 AM: INSCRIPTION: $ 10.00 REGISTRATION AND DRAWING OF THE TEAMS.

9:15 AM: PLAY STARTS.

12:00 PM: PASTIS SERVED TO ALL, COMPLIMENTS OF BOCA PETANQUE 2000.
BRING YOUR LUNCH AND DRINKS.

1.00 PM: CONTINUATION OF THE TOURNAMENT AND CONSOLANTE.

FROM THE MONEY COLLECTED: 4 PRIZES FOR THE MAIN TOURNAMENT AND 2 PRIZES FOR THE CONSOLANTE.

FOR ALL INFORMATION: JOHN ROLLAND,

CELL: 954-425-2646.
HOME: 561-392-3141.

Get ready for a great weekend in Sacramento!

The Sacramento club, the Club Francais de Sacramento, is hosting a very interesting combination of tournaments for the weekend of May 17-18.

In an effort to make our tournaments more fun and make it easier for teams to form, our Sport Committee this year combined National Men’s and Women’s Singles with the National Mixed Triples using a one-day tournament format for each in a single weekend.

On May 17th on the CFS courts in Rancho Cordova, the National Singles tournaments for both men and women will run simultaneously, and the next day, May 18th, many of these same players will combine into triples teams for the National Mixed Triples tournament.

Hope to see you there!

Here are some recommended lodging suggestions:

HOTELS in the RANCHO CORDOVA AREA

Fairfield Inn & Suites- phone 916-858-8680 cmpm145@cmpm.net

Extendedstay America Rancho Cordova- phone 916-9635-2363 www.extendedstayhotels.com

Vagabond Inn- phone 916-631-7500 mranchocordova@vagaboninn.com

Hyatt Place- phone 916-635-4799 josiah.kitonga@hyattselect.com

Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova- phone916-1100 www.marriott.com

Day’s Inn phone 916-363-3344 (used to be Quality Inn)

Red roof Inn- phone 916-638-2500 rrirancho@gmail.com
Reid has a 10% discount card for Red Roof Inn and he will mail to anyone who asks.

NW Regional Triples: Random AND Select!

Greeting FPUSA NW members,

On the weekend of May 3-4th, the Valley of the Moon Petanque Club will host this two-day event, designed to give more members a crack at winning a medal. Entry fee for the weekend is $30. Melee only: $15. Select only: $30. (All moneys will go to the respective purse.)

On Saturday, May 3rd, the NW Regional Melée Triples will be held. A gourmet taco bar lunch will be offered, compliments of VOM President, Mike Cooper and US Women's Team Member Antonia Chavez. There will be cash prizes, medals, as well as a consolante.

On Sunday, May 4th, the Select Regional Triples will be held. Again, registration will close at 9am and advanced player registration is required. (Lunch TBA.)

As long as you play in the melee, players may inform the tournament director of their select team as late as the end of play Saturday. So if you can't get on a team, register for the Melee and you might find a team on that day!

If you are planning to play only in the Select, you will need to pay the full $30 entry fee. This is being done as a way to ensure that there will be enough advanced players and shooters in the melee. So, don't hold back. Play in both and double you fun!

See you there!

For more information, please contact Sport Director Ed Porto. edporto@sbcglobal.net

Entry Form