I’m still recovering from last weekend’s World Diplomacy Championship in Chapel Hill, so this issue will be brief. Sleep beckons.
Haver Wins World Championship
We haven’t yet seen the final standings or numbers from last weekend’s WDC, but they’ll be impressive. The event fielded 40 boards over the four rounds. Thomas Haver of Columbus, Ohio, posted one of the two solos en route to winning the championship. Dan Lester of the United Kingdom, the other soloist, finished second.
Your Weasels delegation fared less well, I’m afraid, but we all had a great time. And the news isn’t all bad. We did manage to come home with the winning (also the only) bid for the 2016 World Diplomacy Championship, so there’s that. Right now, we’re focused on this year’s Weasel Moot, but we expect to have all the details for 2016 hammered out in time for next year’s WDC in Italy.
Just a few other highlights from the weekend:
- Mrs. North Carolina was on hand for the opening ceremonies on Friday night. She welcomed us to the state and also read the board assignments.
- Tournament Director David Hood wore a seer sucker suit to the opening.
- A crew from This American Life covered the event for a possible story on the show.
- Real life diplomat Dennis Ross also attended.
- Matt Sundstrom took a train down to the con, and that got us thinking about traveling by train to a future con and playing Dip along the way.
- Weasel ex-pats (or graduates, as I called them Friday night) Christian MacDonald, Peter Yeargin and Aash Anand attended. Counting those three, there were eight of us (plus Jeremiah Peterson, who played other games all weekend).
- Aash has linked up with Manus Hand, the guy who created the Diplomatic Pouch website. Together, they’re trying to reboot the Denver hobby.
All in all, it was a great weekend, as much reunion as tournament. And the bar has been raised. We have some work to do.
Cockerill and Kelly Share Board Top
Prime Weasel Nate Cockerill shared the board top in last week’s game at the Red Lion with Chris Kelly. Check out the game recap and reaction from one of the players.
Join us for Weasel Moot
Weasel Moot is just two months away. Make your plans to join us July 26-27 at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 33 W Illinois St in the heart of Chicago’s bustling River North neighborhood. Our room block for the event has expired, but if you act quickly, you may still be able to get the discounted rate. Call 312-832-0330 to reserve your room. Try mentioning Weasel Moot 2014 for the discounted room rate of $189 per night. We’ve got some other housing options listed on the website, including Airbnb, so check it out.
Two rounds on Saturday, July 26, one on Sunday the 27th. We’re planning an outing for Friday night the 25th, possibly to the Blue Frog’s Local 22 karaoke bar, which is right by the Hampton Inn. Should be a fun time. For travelers who arrive early enough, we may also organize an outing to Wrigley Field to catch the Cubs and Cardinals. First pitch is at 3:05.
Check out the site and go ahead and preregister. You’ll save $5.
Upcoming Games
- June 21 at Josh Heffernan’s home in Logan Square, starting at Noon. Have Four. Need three more.
Sign up for games at the website, on Meetup, or by emailing your faithful War Weasel (which is now Dan Burgess, danburgess67@gmail.com).
Important Dates
- July 4-6: Philadelphia Massacre in Philadelphia.
- July 26-27: Weasel Moot VIII at the Hampton Inn and Suites downtown.
Dues
Dues are due. Check out the Prime’s message, then use the convenient PayPal link to pay your 2014 dues. We’re once again charging $25, $10 if you’re a student. Twenty-one people have paid up already, including traveler Eric Grinnel. Thanks, Eric!
Remember, your dues pay for our website, the Meetup site, our annual club awards, and the awards for both the Royale and the Brawl, among other things.
That’s all for this week.
Jim
