Source: http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/2010/09/akamina-ridge-waterton-lakes-national-park/
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Akamina Ridge, Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park
Trip 1, on page 42 of Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, the Opinionated Hiking Guide, is Akamina Ridge / Wall and Forum Lakes. It’s a supreme ridgewalk in little-known Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park. Views from the alpine ridgecrest extend across the adjacent national parks: Waterton Lakes (Alberta, Canada), and Glacier (Montana, USA). We [...]
My 6th Slalomevent at Sotavento
The third PWA Slalom of the 2010 season here at Fuerteventura saw a lot of different conditions while 5 days of competition. From 40 knots down to 15 knots, which are relatively unusual for Sotavento at this period of the time. It�s over for 3 days already. We sailed 10 full rounds. I finished 36th [...]
Friday, February 18, 2011
UFC 126's Three Stars: Silva, Jones and Cerrone
UFC 126 kicked off an excellent February of MMA, filled with Silva/Belfort, the start of Strikeforce's heavyweight Grand Prix, and the UFC's trip to Australia. Who stood out at 126?
No. 1 star -- Anderson Silva: With the kick heard round the world -- at least, all the way to Brazil -- the middleweight champion cemented his standing as the best ever. This was his 14th win in a row and his eighth title defense. The best part? He is eager to put it all on the line against welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre.
No. 2 star -- Jon Jones: In beating Ryan Bader, Jones outwrestled the wrestler, earning an immediate title shot in the process. Despite the quick turnaround, early betting lines have already suggested that Jones is the favorite to win over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
No. 3 star -- Donald Cerrone: Throughout his career in the WEC, Cerrone heard questions about whether he could cut it as a UFC lightweight. Judging by Saturday's performance, the answer is an emphatic yes. He dominated Paul Kelly and finished him off with a violent rear naked choke, not long after finding out that his grandfather had passed away. For that, he won a $75,000 bonus -- a bonus 7.5 times larger than any he had received in the WEC.
Honorable mention -- Miguel Torres: The crowd at the Mandalay Bay didn't appreciate Torres' strategy of picking apart Banuelos from the outside, using a jab to keep Banuelos away, but that crowd must have no appreciation for history. In Torres' losses to Brian Bowles and Joseph Benavidez, he charged inside on short fighters, giving up his reach advantage. In his UFC debut, Torres still used his effective jab, but stuck with a strategy that worked.
Dishonorable mention -- Japanese MMA: It was a rough night for UFC fighters from Japan. Both Michihiro Omigawa and Norifumi Yamamoto lost, and then Yushin Okami learned that if GSP beats Jake Shields, he has to wait on his chance at the middleweight title.
Big Nog - Anderson making history, JDS vs Brock and surgery - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria discusses with Gary Alexander Anderson Silva's win over Vitor Belfort, Junio Dos Santos VS Brock Lesnar, and his hip surgery.@fightersonlyusa @Imgaryalexander www.fightersonlymag.com
TimeLine: Sluff and Ice with Xavier de la Rue
In the latest episode from The North Face’s TimeLine series, Xavier de le Rue takes us through a snowless month in the Alps, talking sluff management and his attempt at conquering a 600-meter ice-coated couloir. Photo by Tero Repo.
Source: http://www.frqncy.com/news/2011/02/15/timeline-sluff-and-ice-with-xavier-de-la-rue
Fedor vs. Silva weigh-in: Biggest head size discrepancy in the history of MMA?
This truly is a new era in mixed martial arts. Fedor Emelianenko dominated the heavyweight class for the better part of 10 years during an unbeaten run that started back in 2001. At 230 pounds, the Russian isn't massive, but his skill set and mental game is off the charts. With so many MMA heavyweights cutting weight to 265 pounds, is that enough anymore
Antonio Silva (below right) is one of those guys. The 6-foot-4 Brazilian giant weighed in today at 264. His features are freakish. Check out the size of his dome as compared to the smaller Fedor.
Update: We forgot about Hong Man Choi (pictured on right)! That's a huge head too!
This is a big man's card. The other Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal features Andrei Arlovski against Sergei Kharitonov. They looked fit at a combined 492 pounds. Shane del Rosario and Lavar Johnson were imposing figures as well. The main card on Showtime features five heavyweight bouts.
SHOWTIME card weights (Courtesy MMAjunkie):
Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Antonio Silva (264) - heavyweight-tournament quarterfinals
Andrei Arlovski (242) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (250) - heavyweight-tournament quarterfinals
Shane Del Rosario (248) vs. Lavar Johnson (243) - heavyweight-tournament reserve fight
Chad Griggs (229) vs. Gian Villante (227) - heavyweight-tournament reserve fight
Valentijn Overeem (239) vs. Ray Sefo (249) - heavyweight-tournament reserve fight.
HDNet PRELIMINARY CARD
John Cholish (155.75) vs. Marc Stevens (156.5)^
Igor Gracie (170.75) vs. John Salgado (170)
Don Carlo-Clauss (170.4) vs. Sam Oropeza (169.75)
Josh LaBerge (145.75) vs. Anthony Leone (146.2)*
Jason McLean (145.5) vs. Kevin Roddy (145.75)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dana White smashes Fedor lovers on Twitter following the Russian's loss
With plenty of longtime mixed martial arts fans on the emotional edge following the beatdown of Fedor Emelianenko, there was one man who was fired up to see the Russian go down in flames. Minutes after Fedor fell badly at the hands of Antonio Silva, Dana White hit Twitter, posted a smiley face and then opened up the blowtorch.
Longtime Fedor backers and fans of PRIDE were bent and White stirred the pot. He threw out barbs like "M-Done" for M-1 and "VaDummy" for Vadim Finkelchtein, Fedor's manager.
Responding via Twitter, M-1's Evgeni Kogan didn't enjoy the shots.
The UFC president was personally vested in this one. He'd tried to sign the Russian fighter on numerous occasions, but couldn't come to an agreement with M-1, his management team. There was probably a small part of him reveling in the fact that Showtime's big signee had lost again. White often references the lack of respect he received from networks when he was building his MMA empire. Fedor shocked the fight world by rejecting the UFC's overtures to sign not once, but twice with Strikeforce. Emelianenko is now 1-2 fighting on Showtime/CBS.
White battled with readers for roughly two hours following the Showtime fight card and signed off by thanking the fans being so passionate. He was back on Sunday ready to further debate. Fans responded by coming up with new Twitter handles likes @UFC_HWs_Suck and @ForeverPRIDEFC.
First time climbing at Froggatt Edge
I’ve only just got chance to post about last week’s trip to Froggatt Edge. Friends tell me that a crisp spring morning is better for climbing grit but if you ask me sunshine is the way forward. I headed to Froggatt Edge (just south of Sheffield) with a few friends for my first ascents on [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rock-climbing-blog/~3/hOSsO_V8trg/philsheard
Island traveller
It�s a special trip on the Canaries this year. We first arrived on Fuerteventura and had a good time for about a week at Sotavento. Afterwards we travelled to Lanzarote reporting from the second PWA Freestyle event. The action was great. Sarah-Quita took another title and Gollito could defeat Kiri in the final. We stayed [...]
GSP-Silva could land in Dallas: Where should it be?
You have to wonder how Jake Shields is taking all of this talk of Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. He has a chance to be a heckuva spoiler in April.
Silva did his part to make the future superfight by smashing Vitor Belfort at UFC 126. If GSP can take out Shields in April, it sounds like the UFC is ready put its middleweight and welterweight champs into a dream bout.
Dana White gives St. Pierre, the smaller fighter at 5-foot-11, more than a shot.
"Stylistically it's an interesting fight," White said to the Canadian Press. "Georges St. Pierre destroys wrestlers. No matter how long you've been wrestling, no matter how good of a wrestler you are, he will take you down, he'll put you on your back and he'll keep you there. He can probably do that to Anderson Silva too. Who knows?"
The UFC president said if GSP can get by Shields, both fighters indicated they're willing to take the fight. It's a big move for St. Pierre, who would likely vacate his welterweight title for a permanent switch to 185 pounds. He said last month, he'd need some time to build his body up and make the jump.
White said the fight poses a few challenges.
"The most difficult part of putting together this fight is where we’re going to hold it," White said. "Do we go back to Toronto? Do we do Dallas? What do you do?"
The UFC is in Toronto for UFC 129 on Apr. 30. The Rogers Centre, formerly known as Skydome, will be configure for 42,000. Dallas is a big step up from there. Cowboys Stadium seats around 80,000. The Jerry Dome has already hosted two Manny Pacquiao fights. Those fight cards both pulled in over 40,000. The stadium's super-sized HD scoreboard, that stretches from one 20-yard line to the other, would make viewing the fight a good experience in the cheap seats.
Silva was asked where he'd like to face GSP.
"If it were up to me, I’d like to have that fight in Brazil. But if that’s not gonna be able to happen, I'd like to have my fight here in Vegas," Silva said through his translator Ed Soares. "I consider Vegas like home away from home. This is where I won my belt and I feel very comfortable and this is where I'd like to fight."
Late this summer, the UFC is hitting Rio De Janeiro, so it's unlikely the promotion would quickly turnaround and hold another fight in Brazil. August is too soon for St. Pierre to add the necessary weight for the fight.
Las Vegas' biggest arena is the Thomas & Mack Center which can hold 18,500. The UFC holds most of its Sin City cards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (16,500) or the Mandalay Bay Events Center (11,500).
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
UFC and GSP cautioning fans, don't look past Shields
The Canadian media was excited to finally see the UFC officially land in Toronto. Dana White and Georges St. Pierre were on hand to push the Apr. 30 card at Rogers Centre. The slate is loaded with Jose Aldo and up to 42,000 may pack the giant stadium. Plus there's going to be cool innovations, like eight massive viewing screens for the fans. And oh yeah, Jake Shields will be there too.
With the talk around swirling about a potential superfight between UFC welterweight champ GSP and middleweight champ Anderson Silva, the welterweight title challenger is an afterthought for many right now. So when the questions about GSP-Silva starting flowing forth at the UFC 129 press conference, the fighter and promoter both said "hold your horses."
"You put me on the spot, now," (St. Pierre) said with a laugh, according to the Canadian Press (VIDEO). "I'm not sure, I don't even know what's going to happen after this fight (with Shields). I'm taking one thing at a time."
White went into sales mode, talking about Shield's win over Dan Henderson and his unbeaten streak dating back to 2005.
"This guy's so stealth it's unbelievable," White said. "But that's how (Shield's) been his whole career."
St. Pierre got full of himself when he first won the UFC title back in 2006. There's was talk of him being unbeatable. He listened and had to learned a lesson.
"This thing for me, I take it (Silva talk) like a distraction from my fight. My immediate goal is to win against Jake Shields," said St. Pierre. "I made a mistake in the past, looking past an opponent. And I'm never going to do it again, because last time I did that I got beat by Matt Serra."
Let him get this win, against one of the top grapplers in MMA, out of the way first.
"For me it would be foolish to look past Jake Shields," he added. "I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe it's going to happen or maybe it's not going to happen -- this super-fight. I will see. . . It's too complicated to say. We'll need to wait until after Jake Shields to talk about it."
Both fighters raved about Silva's win over Belfort. Shields (26-4-1, 1-0 UFC) said Silva's front kick KO was par for the course from the champ. St. Pierre called him a "true mixed martial artist."
Andy Irons - "You will never be forgotten"
On November 2nd 2010 the surfing world lost a dear friend, hero and champion; Andy Irons. Surf photographer Brian Bielmann with the help of Scott Mortensen has put together a touching photo tribute in memory of AI…
Brian said: "I have so many memories of Andy and this is my way of sharing them with family and friends all over the world. I hope you guys enjoy this and never forget a great man, a great friend."
Click the image above to watch video
Image credit: Billabong
www.brianbielmann.com
Brian said: "I have so many memories of Andy and this is my way of sharing them with family and friends all over the world. I hope you guys enjoy this and never forget a great man, a great friend."
Click the image above to watch video
Image credit: Billabong
www.brianbielmann.com
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/aTcEXn7XSmk/andy-irons-you-will-never-be-forgotten.html
Surf Artist - Steve Pleydell-Pearce
Presenting Steve Pleydell-Pearce, a British surf artist based in the South West of England, who likes to work with fast drying oil paints to complete paintings in one session. Impressive stuff…
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/steve-pleydell-pearce.php
www.stevepp.co.uk
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/steve-pleydell-pearce.php
www.stevepp.co.uk
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/EA8z2nk5OuE/surf-artist-steve-pleydell-pearce.html
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Surf Artist - Dominique Amendola
Introducing French artist (now living in India, which is a new location for COTW's artist base); Dominique Amendola. Dominique paints a vast array of subject matter, but her 'surf art' is particularly interesting and something 'new'… She takes famous paintings from great artists (e.g. Van Gogh) and gives them a surfing twist! She calls this the "Amadeus series" and she tells us there are more on the way, so watch this space…
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/dominique-amendola.php
Artist's rendition of The Great Wave off Kanagawa
www.dominiqueamendola.com/collections/amadeus-series
www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/dominique-amendola.php
Artist's rendition of The Great Wave off Kanagawa
www.dominiqueamendola.com/collections/amadeus-series
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cotw/~3/1jiIZaJhAZE/surf-artist-dominique-amendola.html
Josh Grispi, George Roop Booked for TUF 13 Finale
A featherweight fight between former top contender Josh Grispi and George Roop
has been slotted for The UFC's Season 13 finale of "The Ultimate Fighter."
Sources close to the bout confirmed the booking with MMA Fighting on Monday. MMA Mania first reported the matchup on Sunday.
Grispi (14-2, 0-1 UFC) had been in line for a featherweight title shot against champion Jose Aldo at UFC 125 last month. But when Aldo had to pull out with an injury, Grispi instead took a fight with Dustin Poirier to stay busy.
has been slotted for The UFC's Season 13 finale of "The Ultimate Fighter." Sources close to the bout confirmed the booking with MMA Fighting on Monday. MMA Mania first reported the matchup on Sunday.
Grispi (14-2, 0-1 UFC) had been in line for a featherweight title shot against champion Jose Aldo at UFC 125 last month. But when Aldo had to pull out with an injury, Grispi instead took a fight with Dustin Poirier to stay busy.
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/02/14/josh-grispi-george-roop-booked-for-tuf-13-finale/
After moments lost in translation, Silva and Belfort talk of UFC 126's importance in Brazil
Brazil has a long, rich history in mixed martial arts. Gracie jiu-jitsu was one of the backbones of the sport and since then the South American nation has produced dozens of champions around the world, including three of the current seven UFC champs. Anderson Silva, ranked best pound-for-pound fighter in the world , leads the brigade. He along with fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort, his opponent at UFC 126, have a chance to push MMA to new levels in their home country.
It's hard to believe, but the sport still struggles in Brazil for mainstream exceptance. There seems to be a disconnect between the sport and many potential viewers. With their upcoming fight and their prefight media work, Belfort and Silva have a chance to close that gap.
Wednesday's press conference provided a big opportunity, but it almost fell apart before the fighters got to spread their message.
The UFC decided it was time to bring a Portuguese translator (pictured below with microphone) for Silva.
To this point in his career, the middleweight champ's manager Ed Soares has always served in that role. Soares was placed amongst the media on Wednesday, sitting next to (on the left) the newly appointed translator.
It was awkward. Silva, wearing dark sunglasses for much of the presser, didn't appear very happy about the change. The new translator didn't help his cause or ease Silva's lack of comfort. He struggled with the basic concept of first fielding the question, then relaying it to Silva and most importantly relaying Silva's answer back in English.
John Morgan from MMAjunkie opened with some of the early questions for the champ (VIDEO - 4:15 mark).
Morgan: A lot of people are saying Vitor is the best striker he's faced. Does feel that way or where does he feel Vitor falls in that mix?
Silva through the translator: No.
Morgan: Anderson had to deal with a lot of fan criticism over a couple of his fight, but obviously the last one was a thriller. Does he feel all that is behind him now or does he have something to prove to the fans?
Silva through the translator: No
Dana White: It’s gonna be one of those press conferences.
The translator stumbled, bumbled and seemed uncomfortable. He was allowed to translate one more exchange. When he described something as the "essence" of what Silva said, that was it. An annoyed White re-installed Soares as the translator for the remainder of the presser.
It was a good thing because there was a good-sized Brazilian media contigent on hand and the opportunity to spread the message back home could've been wasted.
Belfort, who speaks English pretty well, talked about the journey for MMA in Brazil from 1997 to 2011
"People were saying the sport is violent. So I went through a lot in Brazil," Belfort said of the reaction he got as a 19-year-old. "So now is a time, people are accepting our sport."The UFC will turns thing up a notch after this event by landing in Rio de Janeiro late in the summer.
"Dana bringing the UFC to Rio is amazing, but now we need the open channel. We need the network (television). So people need to open their mind, the sponsorships," Belfort said. "They need to come. They need to enjoy. They need embrace the UFC. It's just like soccer. We need all the channels (wanting to air) the sport."
Silva was excited about more people being exposed to the sport.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the Brazilian fans. Myself, as an mma fighter representing the UFC and I can remember growing up as a kid. I think this is going to break down a lot of barriers not only in Brazil, but break down around the barriers throughout the whole world and give opportunities to kids that they may not have not had before," said Silva.
White said later that we still don't have a feel in the U.S. for how big this fight is in Brazil. Hopefully Silva and Belfort will open up a little more today during open workouts. It sounds like there's a good buzz in the home country for this legend vs. legend battle.
Video: Whitewater Kayakers Running the Plunge on Icicle Creek
I was over in Leavenworth one evening last week taking a look at the Plunge drop on Icicle Creek with Charles from AquaSports and we happened to run into this guy Nels, who told us he thought Darren Albright was going to be running it soon.� Sure enough, a few minutes later Darren came down [...]
Monday, February 14, 2011
GSP-Silva could land in Dallas: Where should it be?
You have to wonder how Jake Shields is taking all of this talk of Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. He has a chance to be a heckuva spoiler in April.
Silva did his part to make the future superfight by smashing Vitor Belfort at UFC 126. If GSP can take out Shields in April, it sounds like the UFC is ready put its middleweight and welterweight champs into a dream bout.
Dana White gives St. Pierre, the smaller fighter at 5-foot-11, more than a shot.
"Stylistically it's an interesting fight," White said to the Canadian Press. "Georges St. Pierre destroys wrestlers. No matter how long you've been wrestling, no matter how good of a wrestler you are, he will take you down, he'll put you on your back and he'll keep you there. He can probably do that to Anderson Silva too. Who knows?"
The UFC president said if GSP can get by Shields, both fighters indicated they're willing to take the fight. It's a big move for St. Pierre, who would likely vacate his welterweight title for a permanent switch to 185 pounds. He said last month, he'd need some time to build his body up and make the jump.
White said the fight poses a few challenges.
"The most difficult part of putting together this fight is where we’re going to hold it," White said. "Do we go back to Toronto? Do we do Dallas? What do you do?"
The UFC is in Toronto for UFC 129 on Apr. 30. The Rogers Centre, formerly known as Skydome, will be configure for 42,000. Dallas is a big step up from there. Cowboys Stadium seats around 80,000. The Jerry Dome has already hosted two Manny Pacquiao fights. Those fight cards both pulled in over 40,000. The stadium's super-sized HD scoreboard, that stretches from one 20-yard line to the other, would make viewing the fight a good experience in the cheap seats.
Silva was asked where he'd like to face GSP.
"If it were up to me, I’d like to have that fight in Brazil. But if that’s not gonna be able to happen, I'd like to have my fight here in Vegas," Silva said through his translator Ed Soares. "I consider Vegas like home away from home. This is where I won my belt and I feel very comfortable and this is where I'd like to fight."
Late this summer, the UFC is hitting Rio De Janeiro, so it's unlikely the promotion would quickly turnaround and hold another fight in Brazil. August is too soon for St. Pierre to add the necessary weight for the fight.
Las Vegas' biggest arena is the Thomas & Mack Center which can hold 18,500. The UFC holds most of its Sin City cards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (16,500) or the Mandalay Bay Events Center (11,500).
Rafael Natal and Francisco Rivera Off UFC on Versus 3 on March 3
A knee injury has forced Rafael Natal out of his UFC on Versus 3 main card bout with Alessio Sakara, while Francisco Rivera has also withdrawn from his matchup with Takeya Mizugaki at the March 3 event in Louisville.
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/17588/rafael-natal-francisco-rivera-off-ufc-on-versus-3-on-march-3/
With ear bleeding, Griggs scores TKO of Villante at Strikeforce
Chad Griggs won a quick slugfest over Gian Villante at Strikeforce in New Jersey on Saturday, winning his reserve bout in the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix. Griggs is now 2-0 in Strikeforce after TKOing Bobby Lashley in August.
Griggs came out swinging from the bell, wobbling Villante more than once. But Villante, who played football at nearby Hofstra University, held on and even landed a vicious kick to Griggs' ear. The ear exploded with blood, but it didn't bother Griggs. He knocked Villante to the ground with a right hook. Villante somehow stood back up but took more punishment. Griggs landed another right, and followed Villante to the ground with more strikes until referee Yves Levigne stopped the bout at 2:49.
With this win, Griggs is now part of a pool to step in for any Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix fighters who may get injured. He is 10-1, while Villante falls to 7-2.
Strikeforce using Facebook to search for Ring Girl
With the heavyweight Grand Prix starting this weekend, Strikeforce is on the lookout for the one piece missing from their promotion -- a ring girl. Women aspiring to hold up cards between rounds, wear bikinis in cold arenas and stare into the distance during weigh-ins are encouraged to shoot a 30-second video and share it on Strikeforce's Facebook page. Strikeforce fans will then have a chance to vote for their favorite lady, and the winner will be announced at the Strikeforce event in Columbus in March.
Strikeforce generally uses the Rockstar Energy Girls, headed by Kelli Hutcherson, to handle ring card girl duties. The women who are usually identified with Strikeforce are their fighters, like Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and Miesha Tate, but they clearly want to bring in more fans to their Facebook page. Using a Ring Girl contest will definitely help that.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ride DFC Berzerker Snowboard ? 2006
Ride DFC Berzerker Snowboard – 2006 Buy This Online Ride DFC Berzerker Snowboard – 2006 DOWN FOR THE CAUSE! The Berzerker strikes a perfect balance of aggressive, freestyle shaping and jib-friendly, softer flex patterns. This unlikely pairing of a positive shape with a mellower flex means the Rider has more ways to input pressure and [...]
Source: http://snowboardaction.net/ride-dfc-berzerker-snowboard-2006/
With ear bleeding, Griggs scores TKO of Villante at Strikeforce
Chad Griggs won a quick slugfest over Gian Villante at Strikeforce in New Jersey on Saturday, winning his reserve bout in the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix. Griggs is now 2-0 in Strikeforce after TKOing Bobby Lashley in August.
Griggs came out swinging from the bell, wobbling Villante more than once. But Villante, who played football at nearby Hofstra University, held on and even landed a vicious kick to Griggs' ear. The ear exploded with blood, but it didn't bother Griggs. He knocked Villante to the ground with a right hook. Villante somehow stood back up but took more punishment. Griggs landed another right, and followed Villante to the ground with more strikes until referee Yves Levigne stopped the bout at 2:49.
With this win, Griggs is now part of a pool to step in for any Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix fighters who may get injured. He is 10-1, while Villante falls to 7-2.
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