WWCQT - Tournament - Boca Raton, FL.

Boca Petanque Hosted the Women World Championship Qualifier Tournament this past weekend, and it was a Success!

After the Dust settled on the two Hot and Sunny Days even for us Floridians the outcome was as follow:

Gold: Mia Kanazawa, Cynthia Stroud, Marieke Rolland.

Silver: Diana Jacobs, Sandra Bonneville, Antonia Chavez.

Bronze: Narin Garrett, Erin Mc Taggart, Barbara Hall.

Outstanding Competition and Sportsmanship from All Players.

Enjoy the Pictures!!!

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

SE Regional Mixed Tournaments

SE Regional Mixed Doubles

1--Jackie Plessas, Juan Garcia

2--Monique Gaudet, Claude Lauhle

3--Marieke Rolland , Alex Canesse

SE Regional Mixed Triples

1-- Marieke Rolland, John Rolland , Claude Lauhle

2--Pat Lallinec, Claude Lopez, Gerard Reuther

3--Joe Ella Manalan, Jean Jacques Baudo, Raymond Fulconis

Just a crazy weekend, full day of Rain sometimes very heavy on Saturday and a Hot and Sunny day on Sunday.

SE Singles and Doubles

SE Regional Singles Tournament

1st Gilles Canesse

2nd Juan Garcia

3rd Salem

SE Regional Doubles Tournament

1st Claude Laulhe, Marc Vedrines

2nd Jean Jacques, Pascal Rouillon

3rd Roger Arpaia, Ben Gauthier

Saturday was the day for the Singles Championship, with a total of 15 Players 14 Men and one Petite Woman (Raquel Garcia) but as I said, a good learning experience. This day was perfect weather wise with a Pizza party at the Pavilion at the end of the day with a Raffle and Lots of Prizes with the proceeds to go towards the Juniors for the World Championship.

Sunday morning was a different story since overnight we had a cold front coming in and no one liked the soaking rain that hit us several times during the day.

I have to say something about Marinette, she reminds me of the Wolf dressed as the sweet old Lady from the famous children story. She outpointed me effortlessly on our quarter final match, I as trying hard to make a good point on these difficult Sarasota Courts and she will beat me time and time again without even trying sometimes I thought she was playing with Her Eyes closed.

The Doubles Final ended up being played at the dirt parking lot under the Lights.

No Doubt about it, this was another Successful Petanque Tournament Weekend.

SEE THE PICTURES:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Juankydotcom/SE_Singles

See the world, play petanque!

Our fellow boulistes in Fresno, CA, who make up the fastest growing club in the country, are trying out the idea, as other clubs have, of combining sightseeing in Europe with the opportunity to make new friends with the petanque playing locals in their sister city of Muenster, Germany.

We've all heard that German players are devotees of the game and the Fresnans are hoping to learn a few tricks and perhaps impart some of their own. Maybe they will even get into a few pickup games at their other stops. We look forward to hearing of their experiences in a few months.

Huge petanque tournament in Valleyfield, Quebec

Our good friend and player, Roger Arpaia, of the Boca 2000 club is president this year of the Festival of Petanque of Salaberry de Valleyfield in Quebec, about 50 miles SW of Montreal.

To our amazement, we have learned that there are 72 gravel courts which are the site every year of a nine day series of competitions, 25 July through 2 August.

There are A and B class tournaments to accommodate players of all skill levels and qualifications. No doubt some of the 9 different tournaments are for holders of Canadian federation licenses, but Roger emphasizes their welcome extends to Americans, too, so there will be spots for all entrants. Entry fees and prizes vary according to tournament. Camping is available, too.

This is as close to a "petanque immersion" as one can imagine, don't you think?

Complete information is available on the petanque club's website:
http://www.clubpetanque.suroit.com/

Roger can be contacted for details and questions: rarpaia@hotmail.com

Qualifying Tournament for World Women's Team

Here is the entry form and relevant information for Women's teams interested to compete in the Qualifying Tournament in Boca Raton, Florida, April 4-5, 2009.

Unfortunately, there are as of now no precise dates or city set for the World Championship which is scheduled for September in China. However, all contestants are advised that they must attend the World Championship in China this September if they win the competition. Any questions should be directed to Sport Director, Ed Porto, edporto@sbcglobal.net

(click on image to enlarge)

Nationals - Singles/Mixed Triples

The weekend started with a large group of Petanquers getting together Friday afternoon at the Boca 2000 Petanque Courts for practice. I was a little late since I had to pick up Mamary at the Miami Airport and Erin in the Fort Lauderdale area on my way to Boca Raton but this is what Friends are for.
Saturday morning we all gather for the National Men and Women National Tournaments.
There were a total of 22 Men and 6 Women Ready to Battle with three Boules each. We had Players From Valley of the Moon Petanque Club in Sonoma, Maine Boules Club with a total of six Great Players, the newly organized "New York Petanque Club", Philadelphia and From Seaside, Sarasota, Orlando, Lakeworth, Boca Raton and Miami in Florida.
After the Dust settled the results were as Follow:

Single Women:

1st Mia Kanazawa.
2nd Cynthia Stroud.
3rd Erin Mc Taggart

Single men:

1st Mamary Coulibaly.
2nd Xavier Thibaud.
3rd Roger Arpaia

Mixed Triples:

1st Xavier Thibaud, Jean Pierre Subrenat, Erin McTaggart.
2nd Gloria Bergeron, Aaron Kianofsky, Mamary Coulibaly.
3rd Monique Gaudet, Elie o'hayon, Michel Robichaud.

Special recognition goes to Aaron Kianofsky ( crowd favorite) for his constant Smile and sense of humor PLUS unbelievable Pointing and Shooting and His Partner Gloria Bergeron that won Her first Medal in FPUSA and it had to be 2nd Place in a National Tournament. She also Played like a Pro. Congratulations!.

Click on the Link For the Full Album of Pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Juankydotcom/National_SinglesMixedTriples

National Singles and Mixed Triples

Welcome to some Good Weather and a lot of Competition at the Courts of Boca 2000 Petanque Club in Boca Raton, FL. for The National Men and Women's Singles Tournaments on Saturday February 20th and The National Mixed Triples the Following day on Sunday February 21st.

For a ten Day Weather Forecast of the Area Click on the Link below.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USFL0040?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

For Further Information Contact our Boca 2000 Club President:

John Rolland

5788 Wind Drift lane, Boca Raton, Fl 33433

jmrol@comcast.net

Cell: 954-425-2646.

Play in Europe this year!

Our International Events Coordinator, Robert Pierre, gives us an initial list of European tournaments for players to consider entering.

Last year, our players participated in five competitions in various parts of Europe and all report a very positive experience. Nothing improves our game like playing with the best!


These first four so far for this year include some subsidy or grant for rooms and meals to one or more official FPUSA teams. Sounds like fun doesn't it, defending our colors in some wonderful settings and enjoying a free room and/or meals while doing it?

Being selected for an official FPUSA team entails applying to Robert C PIERRE
(RCPIERREsq@hotmail.com)(individuals or complete teams) before the deadline mentioned for each tournament. Selected teams will wear FPUSA colors and will be notified of their selection by the FPUSA Sport Committee within 10 days after the deadline.

Vienna, Austria, June 12th thru 14th, Select Doublettes, accomodation provided for 1, possibly 2 Teams.
Dead line to apply:5/1/09

EuroPétanque, Nice, France, July 17th thru 20th, Select Triplettes, hotel and lunches provided for 2 Teams.
Dead line to apply: 5/29/09


Dronero, northern Italy, July 24th thru 27th, Select Doublettes and Triplettes, full board provided for 2 Teams.
Dead line to apply: 6/5/09

Zurich, Switzerland, August 14th thru 17th (to be confirmed), Select Triplettes and Doublettes, lump sum per player covering 2 hotel nights.
Dead line to apply: 6/26/09
(photos courtesy of Boulistenaute.com)

From the Southwest...

Southern California club member, and global pétanque ambassador, Robert C. Pierre, sends us this news update:

Club members might be interested to participate in a
Four-Day Pétanque and Belote Stay on the Costa Brava in Spain,
a 30 mile drive from the French border, along the Mediterranean coast.

This trip is organized every year by a club based in Nice. It is informal, and everyone is welcome.

This year, two dates are featured:

June 8th thru 12th, and October 12th thru 16th.

Prices include full board at the Tahiti Playa Hotel www.tahitiplaya.com

Pétanque tournaments include, for Men and for Women: singles (limited to 256 men and 64 women on a first registered basis), Doublettes Mêlée, and Select Doublettes. A Triplette Mêlée Générale is also organized, including both Men and Women.

There will be also Belote tournaments.

PRICES:

€ 162 per person based on double rooms.
Add € 48 for a single room.
Kids 2 to 10: 50% discount
Additional nights: € 36; add € 12 for a single room.

Deadline to register:
2/13/09 for June,
7/15/09 for October

Inquiry: RCPIERREsq@hotmail.com

Petanque America OPEN 2009

I talked to Philippe from Petanque America today, to get more Info on the upcoming "Petanque America Tournament" for November 2009.

Nothing is carved in Stone yet since this is only in the developing stages, much planning and organizing in the next couple of months. He mention that He should have more details some time in March.

But for now the Plans are for a Doubles Tournament, Mid November 2009 in Amelia Island ( NE Florida) by Jacksonville. http://www.ameliaisland.com/ , He is expecting over 100 Teams from all over the US and Abroad.

All I can say is that it Sounds like a lot of FUN in a Beautiful setting . Just like in 2003 and 2005 Philippe knows how to Organize a Large Tournament and get all the logistics together for a common GOAL ( Play Petanque and Have a Good Time).

Visit his Blog for some interesting Info http://petanqueamericaopen.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment, let Him know what You think.

SE Regional Triples - RESULTS -

This First time ever Melee Triples was a success!. Players of different levels got together to Play Petanque on Saturday morning.
On a personal note I would like to report that John Wildner was very happy to Win his first FPUSA Medal, He started playing over a year ago and now He's playing like a champ and this is what's all about with the Melee Tournament.
John Roland, Boca 2000 Club President was missed all weekend due to that he was sick and You know that He had to be feeling really bad to NOT Play on these two Tournaments. But He now feels much Better.
Good Competition with quality Teams was what the Sunday SE Regional Triples was all about.
We all had plenty of Fun, it's always great to meet with our Friends and Play our Favorite Game.

SE Regional Melee Triples

1st Roger Arpaia; Pierre Gaudet; Suzanne Gautier

2nd Juan Garcia; Michel Deschappes; John Wildner

3rd Michel Robichaud; Michel Cazenave; Monique Gaudet

SE Regional Formed Triples

1st Gilles Canesse; Alex Canesse; Juan Garcia

2nd Roger Arpaia; Claude Lopez; Michel Cazenave

3rd Jean Jacques Baudo; Gerard Reuther; Gerard Galliano

Click on the Link for the Pictures of these two days of Competition in Sunny Florida.

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

2009 FPUSA Calendar of Events

The New 2009 FPUSA Calendar of Events is Ready.

http://usapetanque.org/pdf/2009-FPUSA-calendar-01-12-09-1.pdf

SE Regional Over 60 Tournament

LE SOUTH FLORIDA PETANQUE CLUB, INC.

S.E. REGIONAL “ OVER 60 “ MIXED DOUBLES FORMED TOURNAMENT
( FEDERATION RULES APPLY)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 2009

REGISTRATION FEE PER TEAM $50.00 LUNCH INCLUDED
DEADLINE TO REGISTER JANUARY 16TH.
MUST BE PRESENT BY 9 A.M.
AND

SOCIAL TOURNAMENT OPEN TO ALL FORMED BY THE BOARD $5.00 EACH
BRING YOUR LUNCH AND DRINKS. BEGINS AT 9 A.M.

JOHN PRINCE PARK,LAKE WORTH , FLORIDA
INFORMATION: ARMAND LALLINEC 561-588-8161
PLALLINEC@NETZERO.NET

Happy New Year 2009!

SE Regional Triples Tournaments

BOCA PETANQUE 2000.

SE REGIONAL MELEE TRIPLES.

SATURDAY JANUARY 10TH.

Registration fee per player: $10.00 before the 1/9/2009, $ 15.00 after.


SE REGIONAL SELECT TRIPLES.

SUNDAY JANUARY 11TH.

Registration fee per team: $ 60.00 before the 1/9/2009, $ 75.00 after.

Prizes: All the money collected ( after the $ 5.00 fee to FPUSA ) will be going towards the main tournament and the consolante.

Bring your lunch and drinks.

FRIDAY JANUARY 9TH.

From 2PM on: petanque practice, 5 PM drawing of the teams and Pastis served, compliments of Boca Petanque Club.

For information and registration:

John Rolland: 954-425-2646.

2nd Annual Chicago "Polar Bear", Jan 10th

What a contrast from the Florida posting just below, to this one from last year's "Polar Bear" tournament in Chicago. Playing in snow and ice is not for the faint of heart, but then, we petanquers are know for being a little "fou"(crazy).

On January 10th, the next Polar Bear is scheduled and if you are in the Windy City, try your hand at winter petanque.

What is their secret to having a successful tournament? Have a look at this photo and you'll see it, the boule warmer.
Dan Danielson, President of the Chcago Petanque Club says it this way:
"SNOW! It builds character...
and makes characters go outside and lob steel boules into the air.

We are having our 2nd Annual Winter "Polar-Boule" Games on Jan 10th. The weather can not stop us. The secret is to have a boule-warmer griil and keep one boule in your pants pocket. (I know hiding a boule is against the rules, but it sure does feel good.)"

For more info: www.chicagopetanque.com

See the photos from last winters event at Flickr.

Winter Petanque Chicago Style
http://www.flickr.com/groups/938624@N24/

Florida's Trophy Tournament

There was a big turnout of Players for the Saturday afternoon practice session, we all played until sundown.
Sunday started setting up the Courts under a little of a cool weather for us but there was plenty of help and we were ready to warm up quickly. There as a total of 18 Double Teams as far North as Canada and New York but mostly from Florida. We Played 3 games in the morning and 16 Teams Qualified for the afternoon Single Elimination Rounds. The Final was fought by the Defending Champs Roger Arpaia / John Rolland VS Yannis Devert / Laurent DiMeglio even though the first beat the second by a landslide in the preliminary round that was not the case in this Final to 15. After the Dust settled the Results were as Follow:

1st Yannis Devert / Laurent DiMeglio

2nd Roger Arpaia / John Rolland

3rd Gerard Galliano / Mark Vedrin

4th Gilles Canesse / Pierre Lallinec

For more Pictures of the Event:

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

Our guys in Dakar, Senegal

We now have a few photos of our team in Dakar, Senegal, where just over a week ago, they competed in the World Petanque Championships.

Robert Pierre, our Chef de Delegation tells us the terrain was basically the beach with rocks spread over it, and in this photo taken during the opening ceremony shows it, just look at what they are standing on. Must have been completely different than what any of us has ever played on.

Just next to our team is the France B team who ended up winning the championship in a fanny over Thailand.
One of the duties of the Chef is to present a gift to the host country. Here is Robert offering a very nice photo book in French of the U.S. National Parks to His Excellency Bacor Dia, Minister of Sport for Senegal. The fellow in the middle is Gassan Ezzidine, President of the Senegal Federation. Looks like a warm day, doesn't it?
Another of the duties of the Chef is to attend the President's Dinner along with the team coach, Ly Nguyen. And in the spirit of gift giving, the Chef receives a small gift, in this case a decorated drum, and Gassan receives one of our jerseys.


And how about this for a nice group shot on the beach in Dakar? From left to right, you see Pascal, Christian, Ly, Thuan, Mai, and Robert.


No doubt our fellows returned with more than a few memories and maybe some souvenirs. Our team for the 2010 World Games will be traveling to some far off place, perhaps Taiwan, but we won't know for sure for a while.

Our sincere thanks to all our players, coach, and Chef for doing such a nice job of representing the U.S. in Dakar.

SE Regional Doubles - Mixed Doubles

Doubles Results:



1st Michel and Pierrette Sucur

2nd Alex Canesse and Juan Garcia

3rd Raymond Fulconis and Michel Crouzillat





Mixed Doubles Results:



1st Roger and Lucie Arpaia

2nd Raymond Fulconis and Regine Maistri

3rd Guy Labouyrie and Muriel Schmidtke



We all enjoyed this SE Regional Weekend hosted by Armand Lallinec and his Club "The South Florida Petanque Club". There was some great pointing by the Locals on these very tough Courts to Play on.

The weather was hot on Saturday reaching the Mid 80's and due to a Cold Front Sunday started in the low 50's but ended up close to 70 degrees.

For a lot of more Pictures Go To:

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

Enjoy!!! and stay WARM.