Pre-selection for the try-outs was done based on mainly experience. Got me counting how many bouts I have played within my two-and-half-year (30 months) bouting career. Throw a guess and then scroll down for the answer*! I spent a way too long writing an essay as to why I want to be in the team. It's not very Finnish to sing your own praises. That considering, I think I did well, ha ha...
For the weekend 31.8-1.9.2013 I flew over to Helsinki for the try-out weekend. I did not feel nervous, but rather concentrated and quiet. I tried hard - yes, that *is* an acceptable reason for the numerous times I found myself on the floor or the penalty box. It was fun. We played three scrimmages and watched a few others. We worked nicely as a team. Speaking derby in Finnish was not as strange as I'd feared. I did not get tired. It was over quicker than anyone wanted (or me at least).
I did derby stops
 |
| punkmarko.kuvat.fi |
There were about 60 of us. 41 made it through to the second day of the try-outs after a day of skills demonstrations (forward and backward skating, one-sided ploughs, derby stops, hockey stops, blocking, jamming) and a few scrimmages. I was very happy to be one of them. Now I just have to wait and see if I am on the list of skaters they decide to develop into a team (two weeks' wait!). Even that list won't guarantee a world cup place as we were told the final team will form/evolve within a year or so. Exciting! Competitive!
Check out the photos Marko took, here: http://punkmarko.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Roller+Derby+From+All+Around+The+World+2013/Team+Finland+Tryouts+2013/
*howmanyboutsthirtyseven
