Road & Battles 2016

[Korbel]

I see marshals do have an opp to do some fighting

[higgins]

Yeah

I chose the part of the "suicidal photographer". They are always pushing closer, almost as if they're trying to get hit.

So, I got so immersed in my role that I actually hit my head on the list, trying to get a good shot from the most dangerous angle possible.

[Korbel]

So, I got so immersed in my role that I actually hit my head on the list, trying to get a good shot from the most dangerous angle possible.

Oh, it was you? I haven't seen anything, only heard commentators speaking about one of the marshals or photographers. I didn't know, what actually happened.

[higgins]

Don't know how visible I was, but I was trying to be.

If there's one thing I learned from that, it's that fighters have ZERO idea about how annoying the photographers are. None of them were paying any attention to me, whereas in practice, keeping them at bay is a HUGE issue for the marshals. We are supposed to be focusing on keeping the fighters safe, so, simultaneously doing the same for photographers is beyond distracting.

Hopefully the video will be up soon, if it ain't already.

[higgins]

What do you mean you can't fix vehicles? We have YouTube.

Back on the road again.

[Korbel]

So... everybody can stand so close and take pictures? Or is it restricted?

[higgins]

So... everybody can stand so close and take pictures? Or is it restricted?

You need a press pass.

Everyone except for the marshals are supposed to stay at least two meters back from the rail. Both for the marshals be able to do their jobs and for their own safety as well.

[higgins]

Also, if I can help it, I won't ever be returning to travel in France.

108€ toll fees for a 680 km highway stretch? No way. Never again.

[Marras]

Wow! That ain't cheap...

[higgins]

In comparison, crossing the entirety of Poland on highways cost us 18€ when rounded up. Germany has no toll fees, but their gas prices reflect that.

[EinBein]

You should see gas prices in Italy they are easily 30 to 50 Cents higher than in Germany and they have toll fees on top of that

[higgins]

Finally at home. Spent a full day resting. More pics coming soon!

[higgins]

Steeling up for the Scottish fight.

Having broken my previous weapon in a fight with Poland, I had to resort to my backup halberd with a round (yikes!) oak haft. Oak should be more brittle, but it served me way better than the classic ash.


My opponent. Brett from Scotland.


Visor down and... go!

Blue weapon check tag visible by the halberd head.


Brett pushed at first, putting me on the defensive.


I managed a few counters. Had to pay constant attention to the halberd head due to the round haft.


One more. Edge alignment looks passable.


Getting some hard encouragement from outside the lists here.

Unfortunately for Brett, he wore himself out. He fell into the corner and took the punishment. Never gave up though!


You can see me failing to keep a proper edge alignment with the round shaft.


Victory!

As it turned out, this tournament was the first real steel fight for Brett! He lost every single match, but never backed down. Which pretty much sums up my own performance last year.

And he was so good spirited about it. I can't complement him enough!