Il a aussi remporté plusieurs fois les UPA's avec DoG, il est aussi une légende en Suède ;)
When did you play nationals? Which number did you wear?
I've been exceedingly fortunate to have played in Open nationals from 1989-2006 (excluding 1991) and Masters nationals from 2007-2010. As for jersey number, I have always been #1. Obviously :)
Which team did you play for ?
Earth Atomizer in 1989 and 1990 (the little engine that could), probably the most overachieving team in ultimate history, Commonwealth Ultimate in '92 after the merger of Earth and Titanic, Big Brother in '93 and DoG from '94-'06 and masters DoG from '07-'10. Basically, these were all differing variations of Boston players, with a common core with the debut of DoG.
How did you end up playing in North America?
Um, because my parents moved back from France after living there for 8 years after they got married. I was born 10 months after they arrived back in Massachusetts, although I was effectively raised in NY after we moved there when I was almost 6.
How have you felt the first training? How was the level of the game?
My first year post college in Open was with a team in NY called Wild Veal. Except for practices maybe once a weekend, we didn't do too much, and the results showed it. With Earth, we practiced a lot and went to as many tournaments as we could. We were not a very deep team, but we achieved the results we did because of our playing philosophy and incredibly tight team. It was only after '92 that I really started doing workouts outside of practice, specifically track workouts with the team. It was quite a change from the early years, but it was clear that that was necessary for success. It also got me in great shape. The workouts didn't really evolve too much until we picked up Bryan Doo for a couple of years in 2001-03 or so. He is now one of the physical trainers for the Boston Celtics, but he instituted the first real agility workouts for the team every Thursday nights and it totally revolutionized my conditioning. I was probably in the best shape of my life those seasons, and it was the first time that I had ever done workouts that specifically helped my game, since my success always depended on having a quick first step, and running 400's to 100's at a track didn't really help that. But the explosiveness that came from these workouts completely rejuvenated my game. Now 10 years later, after talking to Nas, it is amazing the training regimen that the game has evolved to. Personal trainers, weight training, specific workouts tailored for the individual. In some sense, I'm happy my career arc took place when it did. Who can afford all this time now? :)
How many trainings did you have per week? And how many practices a month before nationals?
During DoG's prime in the '90s, we practiced all spring and fall for the most part. We practiced both days of the weekend, did track workouts on Tuesdays, although those didn't really start until July or so, and then practices Thursday night under the lights. So we were basically playing 3 days a week plus a track workout on the 4th night from June-October. And the month before nationals was just as bad, except the final weekend we took it easy. We typically did fun scrimmages, lining up by SAT scores or income, or time since most recent sexual activity, and then split the lineup in half and played each other. It was a LOT of fun.
Which position did you play on your team? D line or O line?
O line handler. Although 2 years ago and this year with masters DoG I have switched to the D line. I'm probably the only person who played exclusively O until switching to D 25 years into his career.
Was it hard for your team to qualify for nationals?
The first two years with Earth Atomizer were very difficult as it was 4 teams competing for 3 spots, with Earth and Graffiti from NY typically competing for the 3rd spot. The first two years we beat them, and then the 3rd year (91), they beat us. And that was right after we had come in 4th at the World Championships in Toronto. Very frustrating, but once we merged with Titanic, it was never really a question fortunately. Nothing like the bloodbath in the Northwest.
Let's talk about Sarasota:
I've heard that Sarasota is the best place to play Ultimate? Is this true? Why?
It is pretty sweet now, although once or twice it has been VERYclose to a hurricane passing through. The weather has always been pretty variable. While it has never been really cold, it has been overbearingly hot at times and VERY windy sometimes. In '97 and '98, they configured the fields into upwind/downwind before changing the configuration in 2000 so that the fields were more crosswind. That was actually a great change because it made the competition a little more equitable. The actual field conditions have always been consistently good. Even if it has rained a lot, the fields absorb it very well. About the main complaint might be that the grass can be a little sharp at times, but I never really have to worry about that :)
Can you tell me something about your first time there?
My first time in Sarasota I believe was in 1997. DoG was just coming off winning the World Championships in Jonkoping Sweden. After 3 straight Nationals at sites with bad weather (94 Lexington KY in the cold, 95 Birmingham AL with flooded fields and 96 in Plano TX with more flooded fields), it was a pleasure to play in Sarasota. That first year we stayed at some rental compound nowhere near Siesta Key although we spent some time on the beach at the Palm Bay. We quickly learned our lesson after that year and have been at Siesta Key every since. That was also the year that we went down to Ring of Fire 10-4 in the semifinals and had one of the more exciting comebacks we have ever had to win 17-15. I remember I was so pissed off during that game that the entire second half I was walking around with an incredibly tight grimace and tremendous focus. But it was all for a good cause..
How is the the level of the competition? Are all the16 teams really good?
The depth of competition has become incredible. Back in the '90s there were maybe 3 teams that could realistically battle for the title and then a significant dropoff to the next tier of teams. Now the top 10-12 teams can beat any of the top teams in any one game. There are usually 2-3 teams that will go 0-fer or only beat each other, but all of the quarterfinal teams are amazing teams.
What was your final ranking?
I was fortunate enough to win 6 straight Open titles from '94-'99 and a masters title in 2007. And I have made the elimination round every year since '91.
Do you think that a top european team could finish in the top 8?
I would be surprised if they could. They have same top-level players but aren't as deep as the American teams and don't play as many tough games at tournaments. They may be good enough talent-wise, but until they are able to play top flight talent on a consistent basis it would be hard for them to compete.
What did you like best about the tourney in Sarasota?
At this point, the best part is running into old and new friends at the fields. Although there is nothing like walking onto the fields early Thursday morning, the fog rolling off the fields, grass misty with dew and watching all of the teams trickle onto the field, each with an identical 0-0 record.
Voila ma session d'interviews est terminé next last training weekend et Sarasota programme!!!!!
ps. Grand merci à tout les participants
