The Carl TALKS Winterfest Weekend Recap (2019)
On one long weekend each December, the past, present and future of BSA -- along with some special invited guests and anyone who wishes to join us -- congregate across the campus grounds for a well-earned respite and time to pause, reflect and recuperate from all the work undertaken over the course of the prior eleven months.
As usual, our 2019 celebration was one to remember.
At precisely noon on Friday, everyone gathered on the western campus outside Henin Hall for the raising of the "church of Simona" flag that is kept out of sight and under lock and key in a climate-controlled storage vault the rest of the year. A special burst of applause came when everyone recognized that an additional insignia had been sewn onto the crest at the center of the banner to commemorate a significant accomplishment that took place over the past year.
At that point, our celebration was officially underway.
Dubbed our "Carl TALKS Weekend" -- or now, the Carl TALKS Winterfest Weekend, a compromise agreed upon due to some understandable-but-too-reactionary-for-our-tastes protests about naming our celebration after someone who is, essentially, "a wanted man" by international authorities due to Carl's actions during his MVP-winning son Carlo's rookie season in the World Elking League -- the free-to-the-public, all-encompassing series of speeches presented by past alumni and future graduates, as well as all the activities that have grown around the talks, have combined to become a well-received extracurricular activity during which everyone can throw off their cares and revel in the atmosphere of togetherness and loyalty (yes, even for the big man with the club) that we attempt to maintain on campus year-around.
Of course, a few of our students -- both small and big in name and stature -- are occasionally due public reprimands, and we try not to allow our longstanding friendships to stand in the way of what must be said. But, even then, forgiveness -- or a newly-cleaned slate -- is always available, if it's rightly earned. On that front, one of BSA's previously most admired students, having fallen under a bad karmic cloud a few terms ago, *has* managed to slowly reclaim many of her former stripes, and was greeted quite warmly when she arrived on campus late last week. She was immediately whisked off to yet another Fed Cup championship party, of course (our students and faculty could *never* pass up such an opportunity).
Meanwhile, the aforementioned caveman's reputation continues to exist on "double secret probation" on campus, but the (sometimes) lovable, always vengeful lug still holds a place deep in all our hearts despite his sometimes questionable behavior. Quite frankly, many of us were secretly thrilled when the rumors began to swirl that, while on the run from justice, he'd managed to find his way home to Backspin Academy and taken up residence in the nearby forest, living off the land, drinking from a stream and often taking advantage of the "gift packages" of food, clothing and elking gear left for him around campus. It was as if he'd finally "found his way," and was only waiting for the world to finally realize it.
When the day comes, and it *surely* will, the big guy will be welcomed back to BSA with open arms (hopefully he won't crush our bones while he grins in delight at the sound). Of course, there *have* been a few less-than-reputatable reported sightings on the edge of town in recent weeks, and they've served to make "the legend of Carl" grow only greater. Is it possible for a born anti-hero to become even *more* of a rebel over time? Apparently, yes.
As longtime student and campus sage Sveta Kuznetsova says, "Everybody has a different mess in their head." Carl's head is just a little (well, a lot) bigger than those of the rest of us, so he just needs a little more time to get everything situated.
Hang in there, Carl! Better days are just around the corner. (And here's to hoping you found a nice cave to keep you warm.)
As has been the case each December, nearly every area of campus was simultaneously utilized during this weekend's festival to both provide therapy and/or much-needed fun for all involved.
On Friday afternoon, the newly-dubbed addition to Navratilova Hall was officially dedicated as Serena Place, with campus daughter Olympia becoming the first to login to its extensive datebase of catalogued historical information and items stored in our off-campus warehouse.
Later that night, our Danish wonder graced us with a re-telling of her fabled "The Search for Caro's Roo" tale, now with an entirely new and fabulous ending. Not unexpectedly, it resulted in a big group hug involving everyone in attendance (we're pretty sure it was some sort of record), reminding us of all we've been through together over the years. The Dane is set to soon head off for parts unknown, but a part of her will always remain behind with us... and hopefully she'll return each winter and make the recounting of the story of her quest an annual ritual that will inspire continual generations of BSA students.
The Carl TALKS portion of the festival kicked off on Friday evening, as the HanaJana Center had nary an empty seat...
"Back to the Future: The Legend of Sloane's Big Check" - Sloane Stephens
"Draws are meant to fall apart." - Sloane Stephens
"Everything is Finally Lined Up for Success Again" - Vika Azarenka [CANCELLED FOR PERSONAL REASONS]
"Living in a Long Shadow: A New Dane's Life" - Clara Tauson
"I Got Next" - Sofia Kenin
"I knew I just had to show the crowd, like, 'Listen, Sonya Kenin is in the house.'" - Sofia/Sonya Kenin
"Powers (Finally) Fully Activated... hopefully" - Aryna Sabalenka
The evening session was then ended by a six-student "Who's on First?"-style comedy routine performed by CoCo Vandeweghe, Coco Gauff, Kiki Bertens, Kiki Mladenovic, Katie Swan and Katie Boulter.
In additional to the abbreviated lecture schedule during the day and night, British import Jo (her homebaked goods were SUCH a hit last winter!) kicked off her inaugural three-day series of culinary tutorials for a slew of interested (and hungry!) guests.
As Saturday began, things really kicked into gear. In what has become a crowd favorite over the years, newly-arrived visitors were greeted on campus by the student-constructed art installation that highlights on a long wall all the magazine and book covers that past and current students have graced in the past year. Needless to say, BSA graduates are going places!
Fresh from leading the Saskatoon Berrypickers to the WEL championship in Mongolia, Carlo stepped in for his pop to host the Carl Games elking competition. In between marveling at how much he's grown since he was first proudly paraded around campus by Carl and Carla as a newborn, we all watched as Carlo (with his twin sister Carlita!) handed out autographed game-worn jerseys from his historic rookie season to the top athletes in the competition (most participants had only first learned "to elk" at LAST YEAR's Games but they're already showing great skill!), while also offering helpful tips and encouragement to those who weren't quite yet in fine elking form.
Obviously, Carlo takes after his mom.
The highlight of the afternoon was when our fabulous Dutch student bested even *Carlo* in a games of "Stacks & Tails," proving she truly lives up to her "Diede the Great" moniker. She celebrated with a quick trip to our fast food pop-up establishment, where she splurged on all the goodies she usually stays away from the rest of the year. "Such a victory was a special occasion," she said with a gloriously beaming smile.
At one point during a high-level game demonstration featuring our host, an oddly large competitor -- dressed in a hooded cloak that covered his face -- emerged from the crowd and pulled off one of the most astonishing Squish moves any of us (including Carlo) have ever seen. The individual didn't stick around to receive his jersey, and instead silently walked off campus in the direction of the forest.
(Yeah, yeah... we *think* we know who it was, too. But no one was brave enough to remove the individual's hood, so it'll just have to remain a "mystery" until further notice, or the authorities come to their senses. So, you know... make sure to vote next year!)
Alas, while the Sugarpova Cineplex is currently undergoing renovation, the usual wintertime film festival was reluctantly cancelled heading into this year's celebration, our longtime benefactor *did* contact and fly in the Go-Go's from points afar to perform a Saturday night concert, during which they led the group in a hearty (and sometimes crazy!) version of "We Got the Beat."
She even helmed this year's Sugarpova pop-up store and handed out free samples...
Not only of her brand's latest flavors of candy, but also her latest holiday musical releases (this year's she's stepped up her classic game!)...
We must say, she's become quite the artist over the last few years...
"Are You There Margaret? It's (Still) Me, Serena." - Serena Williams
“Expectations ruin a lot of things. I accept what’s coming at me and I try to work around it.” - Bianca Andreescu
"Working Together for the Good of the Family" - Kristina Mladenovic (w/ an intro by Caroline Garcia)
"I Deserve to Be Honored" - Margaret Court [CANCELLED DUE TO OVERWHELMING ANNOYANCE AND EXASPERATION] *
"It is a lot to carry, but so is being Serena Williams." - Serena Williams
"2019 was Sh*t, but I Want to Love *You* 2020" - Dasha Kasatkina
"Do You Know Me? Don't Worry, You Will." - Elena Rybakina
"Living with the Weight of a Continent on Your Shoulders" - Maria Camila Osorio Serrano
"Ready, and Waiting to (Finally) Exhale (Again)" - Garbine Muguruza
"See You in Tokyo" - Venus Williams
"The new 39 looks amazing." - Venus Williams
"Living in a Long Shadow: It's Going Okay So Far" - Iga "WTA Shot of the Year Winner, WTA Fan Favorite 2nd Place Finish" Swiatek
-
* - Ms.Court scheduled a speech to be delivered atop the far wall of the northern campus at what she called "the witching hour" (we're not sure what went down, since we weren't sure when that was... and simply couldn't bother to try to figure it out)
On Saturday night, in the tradition of "Serena Claus," fast-rising student Sofia K. (aka Sonya K., or so we thought, for a while) took her turn as the Winterfest Weekend Santa, providing a knee and thoughtful ear to all the kiddies seeking a direct line to the North Pole. With her trusted Rinaldi Elf by her side and calling out the number for the next lucky tot in line, Sofia stayed around for what seemed like hours (because it was!) posing for photos and selfies. She seemed to enjoy the process as much as the children, noting, "I've taken photos with all sorts of famous people since I was a kid! If someone famous was ever nearby, there's surely a picture of them with me *somewhere* out there."
Sunday was gift day!
Everyone in attendance at the festival (while supplies lasted) were given a very special "swag bag" with all sorts of new items, including both Kiki M.'s debut "Paris" album from last year, as well as her new sophomore effort "Perth"...
Also included were special edition Caro gold chocolate coins, a Carlo replica jersey, World Elking League Championship Series program and fleece Church of Simona flag blanket...
And, last but not least, a complete Bianca gift set (with two t-shirts, a pack of collector's cards and a limited edition Gen PDQ brand comic book):
"I have had some heartbreaking moments. I've had some amazing moments. But all in all, I have enjoyed every single minute." - Ash Barty
"The Art of Russian Trainspotting" - Varvara Gracheva
"How to Be a 'Good Daughter' *and* a Successful Tennis Pro" - Kristie Ahn
"I'm going to try and milk this as long as I can." - Kristie Ahn
"How to Ride the Year-by-Year Rollercoaster and Not Lose Your Lunch" - Angelique Kerber
"Wait'll They Get a Load of Me" - Dayana Yastremska (w/ an intro by Sascha Bajin)
"A Whim for Wim (what's next for me)" - Naomi Osaka
"Don't Worry, I'll Know When Enough is Enough (not yet, by the way)" - Maria Sharapova
"So Close and Yet So Far: My Almost-Top 10 Journey" - Anastasija Sevastova
"It's just a millimeter. It doesn't make you better or worse player. In the end, it's a bit of luck." - Anastasija Sevastova
"The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave: A True Story" (aka "Why I'm Going to Live at the AELTC One Day") - Alison Riske
"I'm Here. Let's Go." - Francesca Schiavone
Francesca's speech was followed by a long, warm standing ovation, then an impromptu bit of crowdsurfing and, as anticipated, high-fives and happy tears all around.
The weekend concluded with our festive parade of stars, as all our top students walked through campus, greeting well wishers and, hopefully, inspiring a few members of future generations to one day step into their shoes.
And, thus, we arrived at the end of yet another year, as soon our thoughts will be overtaken by the hopes, ideas and notions that might shape the NEXT twelve months.
posted by Todd.Spiker @ 6:57 PM
11 Comments:
I like the cover montage best of all, especially since I haven't seen most of the non American ones.
Remember when we realized Gavrilova would need WC to enter Australia? She openly admitted that she will sit out the Aussie swing, and use her SR once eligible.
My hope for Todd's final Top 10?
1.Serena
2.Vergeer
3.Hingis
4.Kerber
5.Wozniacki
6.Kvitova
7.Sharapova
8.Makarova/Vesnina
9.Halep
10.Clijsters
Yes, the gap between Serena and the rest was on purpose.
Stat of the Week- 8- Number of WTA wins for Maria Sharapova in 2019.
Articles trumpeting the return of Sharapova make it seem like she is back. I don't feel that way, but if you do, keep one thing in mind. Judge her after March, not January. Why? Because she won 6 matches in January last year!
After winning 5 in Australia, she then defeated Gavrilova, one of the few women who had a more difficult season in St. Petersburg on the 28th, then won 2 matches the rest of the year.
So enjoy her Instagram. But temper your expectations.
Quiz Time!
Victoria Azarenka won 2 Girls slams. Who did she defeat? Multiple answers accepted.
A.A.Radwanska
B.Wozniacki
C.Szavay
D.Glatch
Answer!
I will tip you off. She did beat 2 different girls, and the first was (C)Szavay. You may have linked the two together, because Szavay/Azarenka won 2 doubles slams. Vika's beat her in Australia 2005, while Szavay then won Roland Garros.
The 3rd slam of 2005 was won by (A)A.Radwanska, who is wrong as she played and beat Tamira Paszek, then won another slam in 2006.
(B)Wozniacki is wrong as she did not play Azarenka, but beat Rybarikova for her 2006 title.
That leaves (D)Alexa Glatch, who lost to Azarenka on home soil(US), capping off a 2005 season in which she won either singles or doubles at all 4 slams.
I made a last moment switch with the one magazine cover when Sharapova posted it this weekend (the one near the bottom of the third part of the "the wall"). Originally I'd had the Aussie newspaper with the "It's Our Barty and We'll Cry If We Want To" headline. :)
The Top 10 list probably won't be *too* different from that, but I'm still a bit torn over where to list M/V since I *did* list Errani/Vinci as the #1 doubles duo (but ranked them as individuals in the Top 50). Because of that, they probably won't make the Top 10.
Agree. I just don't see Sharapova having any staying power because she keeps being taken out by the same injury/injuries (forearm/shoulder).
I'd say the same with Clijsters (*if* she ever gets out of the starting gate, I guess). I figure I'll have an over/under pick on her total matches played in '20 in the Blowout. (Maybe I should do the same for Maria?)
And, no, I won't tempt fate (or the TG's) and do that for Bianca.
Quiz: went with Wozniacki/Szavay. So half right, at least.
As evidence to prove some weird point about odd fates, there might be a better than even chance now that Glatch (the least successful of them all) actually outlasts all those mid-00's players you mentioned. Radwanska and Szavay are retired. Wozniacki soon will be. Paszek is in and out, while Rybarikova won one tour-level match (Wimbledon - Sabalenka!!) after April last season. And Vika, well, who knows? Glatch reached two ITF finals (one a $75K) in 2019 and is around #300.
Wonderful, as always! It was quite an honor to start things off by “reading my poem.” (The rumor is that another poet, from Germany, wants to add a slam to the event, and I’m in!—I think there’ll be dancing, too.)
Hmmm, the German in question was conspicuously absent from her usual place on the schedule this year. Everyone figured she was super-busy... now I guess we know why! ;)
And, alas, I guess BJK's invitation was "lost in the mail." :(
(Of course, when you have the chimps-in-lab-coats crew from WADA handling all the Winterfest email lists, I guess distractions and outright malfeasance are to be expected. My bad.... I should have known. Carlita would have surely done a better job with that.)
Carl would have done a better job.....
The last time I checked, Petko hadn't written any recent poetry. I would love to read some of it, but she says it's too bad to show anyone :)
2019 Lou Marsh Award winner Bianca Andreescu is out of Auckland. As good as her shotmaking is, on bad knees her defense might look like Oklahoma's did over the weekend. Too soon? More of a threat to miss Australia than Serena, here is a look at some others that are question marks with last tournament played.
Andreescu-YEC
Konta-USO
Zvonareva-Roland Garros
Petkovic-Luxembourg
Tsurenko-Washington
Boulter-ITF India
Schmiedlova-Wimbledon
Vondrousova-Wimbledon
Osaka-YEC
Kontaveit-USO
Done in order of threat to miss, Konta's statements really make it sound like she has low expectations while Kontaveit seems ready to play in the lead up tournaments.
Stat of the Week- 3339- The amount of miles run by 1980 Lou Marsh Award winner Terry Fox.
The Lou Marsh Award is one given for the best athlete in Canada. Technically, Fox wasn't a professional athlete, but youthful exuberance led to one of the most incredible, or insane ideas ever.
Already a cancer survivor, Fox decided to go across Canada to raise money. But instead of walking, he decided to run-marathon style. Weekend warriors mat run one 26 mile marathon a year, while the pros do 4 or 5. Terry, who never completed his run due to his cancer spreading to his lungs, ran for 143 days. Comes out to an average of 23 miles a day.
Like the airplane, the microwave, or even the internet, sometimes someone has to think that something that should not be possible can be. Running across Canada? Maybe. Doing it with a prosthetic leg since cancer has already taken it? Does not compute?
In the almost 40 years since Terry's death, the run has been completed, plus many other runs done in his name. Only nine months after he stopped running, he passed away. Terry Fox was 22.
One other Lou Marsh Award note. Bianca's path was made easier due to the fact that although the Toronto Raptors won the NBA title, and have 22 players from 7 countries, including the only player from Saint Lucia(Chris Boucher), none are from Canada.
Quiz Time!
Bianca Andreescu is also up for the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award for the top female athlete in Canada. Which of these WTA players won that award? Multiple answers accepted.
A.Carling Bassett
B.Aleksandra Wozniak
C.Helen Kelesi
D.Genie Bouchard
Interlude- Why not listen to the dulcet tones of #19 Joey Votto- 2010 and 2017 Lou Marsh Award winner in the 12 Days of Redsmas.
https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1207375261852979202
Answer!
First off, Bobbie's real name is Fanny, a Russian born Canadian that got the nickname due to her bob haircut. An Olympian in 1928, she was named Canada's athlete of the first half century in 1950.
Because of (D)Bouchard's 2014, she was an obvious good guess, but is a 2 time winner, as she went back to back, having won it in 2013.
(A)Bassett, the phenom, was another 2 time winner, having done so in 1983 and 1985.
(C)Kelesi was also a 2 time winner, pulling it off in 1989 and 1990.
If you notice, tennis players have a better chance in non Olympic years, and with summer and winter now in different years, there is even less of a chance. This explains how (B)Wozniak won in 2009, even though her biggest win was Stanford in 2008.
Wozniak was the only tennis player who had only won once, until Andreescu did late last week. This makes Andreescu the first woman since swimmer Penny Oleksiak(NHL's Jamie is her brother) in 2016 to have won both awards in the same year.
Maybe at some point they'll realize that Oklahoma (except for the year of Mayfield's Heisman win) really has no business in the college football playoff. Every year, though, they're blindly moved up the list and then benefit because the teams ranked just ahead of them lose and they slip into the semis through the backdoor. :\
Hoping Andreescu chooses to pick her battles wisely and not push it. She showed she can return from time off and pick up where she left off. If that means means missing the opening weeks (including the AO) or even months of the season, so be it. Containing and rehabbing her injuries, and not scheduling stupidly because she wants to win (or, more likely, now feels the pressure to show up everywhere and defend her ranking), are her most important career management decisions until she can prove she can play a full season without having a physical setback.
Hmmm, might Halep head to Melbourne as one of the healthiest threats on the board? A third insignia of a Career Slam slam sure would look nice on the "Church of Simona" crest.
I knew the name, but wasn't fully aware of Fox's story. Thanks for that. :)
Quiz: I'd figured Bouchard and Bassett had won, but wasn't sure of the rest. Bianca's run raised the bar a bit, I think, for tennis players to "qualify." Interesting that Dabrowski missed out even with MX slam wins in 2017 and '18. LPGA player Brooke Henderson won both years (and won in '15, too).
Just a few realizations as I wrap up the Decade's Best Top 15 list:
1) wow, Hingis had some numbers
2) Vergeer won't be as high as anticipated since she only played three years in the 2010's (I sort of view her like Clijsters, with a loose but significant tether attached to her ankle keeping her from rising beyond a certain point in the rankings)
3) de Groot won as many slam titles (15) this decade as Vergeer. Vergeer did it the first three years, and de Groot the final three. Those sneaky TG's! :)
Meanwhile, Kamiji won 20 (upset!), and Van Koot 18.
4) I HATE where Vika is landing on the list.
5) Debating whether I should identify Flavia Pennetta's spouse as simply "her husband Fabio" when mentioning her now having had two children, or at least give a slight nod to his occupation. ;)
I probably will agree about Vika. Her 2012 is one of the best 5 seasons of the decade, but so many injuries and gaps.
Halep? Slightly down on her, but will explain once you put up your Prediction Blowout post.
Kamiji's numbers aren't a shock(Whiley), but Van Koot is a pleasant surprise.
Hmmm, well maybe your Halep prediction will be like that one for Andreescu for 2019 and Simona will reap the benefits. Heehee... sorry, I had to get that one in one more time before the calendar says 2020. :D
I hope she *can* get one more big one, because I wonder how much longer she'll be on tour. She'll turn 29 in summer '20, and I have a hunch she won't play much beyond 30 (if at all).
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