The Pétanque America Open took place on November 13 & 14 in the quaint and historical community of Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island in northeastern Florida.
Two hundred and twenty-four competitors from twenty-three United States, Quebec, Canada & Belgium formed one hundred and twelve doubles teams.
The Waterfront was transformed by workers from the city and a small army of volunteers, into a spread of sixty courts, with bars dispensing beer and the patron libation Ricard. The Police Auxiliary sold water and sodas, and the Yulee Volunteer Fire Fighters threw down some mean burgers on the grill. A local caterer and pétanque enthusiast, prepared panninis, antipasto and grilled merguez sausages
On Friday, competitors started showing up, and "testing" the courts, the surface being much different than that of last year's event. Claudie Weibel from Belgium demonstrated his shooting technique. His world record score of 66 was set in the qualifying round. He lost to Manea of French Polynesia in the 1/2 final by a score of 35-34. The final was won by Leboursicaud of France (over Manea) by a score of 34-12
The names were pulled, pools were formed and Saturday after a welcome by the Mayor of Fernandina Beach, and the French Consul of Northeast Florida, the games began.
The tournament was organized in such a fashion as to be welcoming for all levels of play and competition. Teams were guaranteed to play in no less than seven matches during the course of the two-day event. After the dust had settled, there were winners in six brackets; two concours and four consolantes.
Although this is primarily a pétanque event, there is more to this particular gathering than perhaps any other. Surely it is about the players and their desire to compete, in the hopes of winning, but it's also about the people who come to have a great time just by being in the company of so many people playing the sport we all love. It's about the people who organized such a function that forges so many friendships. It's about the people of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach who welcome us so warmly and take care of us while we are there. And it's also about the people who, through last year's tournament, have discovered pétanque and are so wildly enthusiastic about playing it. Thanks to everyone who participated in the concept & design, organization, sponsorship, set-up & tear-down, hospitality, and also to those who traveled so far to make the event the success it was.
The Slideshow tries to capture all of the aforementioned aspects of the weekend's activities without being so long as to be rated a full length feature movie. Enjoy.
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