The World Ultimate Club Championships (WUCC) in Lecco was the inspiration and driving force of this trip. I was invited to play with Ragnarok from Denmark and Cara, of course, played with Showdown. It was a long but seemingly quick week apart spending time with our teams and playing ultimate.
The wet weather leading up to the tournament left the fields under water and caused the first day of games to be canceled. This WUCC will be remembered by most for muddy fields, pasta portions that were too large to finish, and dorms that weren't really even dorms. I'll remember my teammates, an amazing hotel, the beautiful Lecco mountains and lake, the kindness of Riccardo, experiencing the Italian healthcare system with Cara's broken leg, partying with Jeff, Jerrod, and Kiran after we found out the next day's games were canceled, the never ending pizza and pasta, and reconnecting with many of the friends we met earlier on our trip as well as friends from past trips (Lee and Karen with new baby Tom, Nic, Chevi and Juani to name a few).
Above our hotel on the side of the mountain were two churches. This was taken near the first church in Vercurago the first day we arrived.
The amazing view of the lake from our hotel on the side of the mountain in Vercurago. Cara and Showdown were not as lucky with their accommodations and were housed in a futuristic hotel a 45 minute drive away outside of Milan.
Ragnarok - 14th place
Top Row: Me, Svene*, Andreas*, Jeff, Alex, Faiss, Mads'Alto, Peter, Bjarne, Mads*, Punisher, Jonathan, Esben*, Guijl
Bottom Row: Kristien, Kiran, Jerrod, Lars, Stefan, Elliott, Mads'ito, Daniel, Viunner, Yan, Puck, Sve
Huge thanks again to the team and captains for welcoming us and accepting us into your strong viking culture!
Cara suffered a broken fibula for the second time in her career after a collision during their game against D.C. Scandal. It was a personally disappointing way to end what could be her last tournament with Showdown, but Showdown continued to perform and ended up going to the semis! Los dos, los dos.
Sad selfie in the hospital with our guardian angel Riccardo. Kiran, Jeff, Jerrod, and I met Riccardo the first night we went out to part in Vercurago. He helped us get home that night, making sure we did not get into Marco Pizza's car, and then came to fields to cheer on Ragnarok and Showdown for the rest of the week. Mille grazie Riccardo for being so generous with your time, for all the rides (late night and early morning), and for the sideline support. Riccardo has one more year of nursing school to finish and we hope that your future career can help you find your way to Austin so that we can try to repay the generosity you showed all of us this past week. You are awesome!
Two hours, one x-ray, one cast, four prescribed syringes with blood thinner, and zero dollars later Cara was on her way to recovery. Socialist medical care does work!
Thinking back on this trip it's hard to say which were my favorite places or things we experienced. Mostly, I will take away a rejuvenation of spirit and a reaffirmed belief in the inherent goodness of people. I was amazed by the kindness new friends showed us along our way. We have come to expect the frisbee community to accept us with open arms as we are traveling through, and the European communities did not disappoint! This is why I love Ultimate. But this kindness, generosity, and acceptance was just as quickly given by the others we met along our way that did not know us through a shared sport. We are so glad to have met all of you and hope to see you again in the near or far future!
Tomorrow we return to our home in Austin. The adventure continues...
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