Billed the “Olympics of Atlatl Contests” or “Clash of the Titans, the Independence Day Contest was all that and more July 4th, 2000 in Candor, NY.
The four champions of the International Standard Accuracy Contest since its inception – Pascal Chauvaux, 1996 Champion of Belgium; Ray Stricheck, 1997 Champion from Ohio; Gary Fogelman, 1998 Champion of Pennsylvania and Terry Keefer, 1999 Champion, also of Pennsylvania met for the first time to compete in an ISAC together.
Robert and Cheryll Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl, hosts for the Candor 4th of July contest, were delighted to find out early in the year that Pascal Chauvaux, his wife, Carin, fellow atlatlist Andre and his wife, Marie, would be able to begin their United States tour in Candor. Pascal’s decision to arrive early paved the way for the meeting of the champions!
Despite some complications with luggage, Pascal and crew managed to arrive in time for the July 4th contest. The next question was who would be the fifth person competing with the champions? The answer was easy – Doug Majorsky of Pennsylvania – last year’s youth champion – who is now competing as an adult.
Not that it unnerved the champions (or at least these calm athletes failed to show it!), but an intent hush overtook the grounds as the champion battle began. The battle was not without its intense moments – Pascal Chauvaux still on Belgium time competing with an atlatl and darts he had only briefly become acquainted with and Gary Fogelman, a champion right hander, throwing with his left arm because of an injury.
Dana Klein handled the score keeping while Scott Van Arsdale fashioned a hand drawn sign to keep the crowd informed of the action on the field.
There is no question, it was one of the most enjoyable ISACs any had seen. The skill level of these five is amazing.
The scores of this special ISAC were as follows:
- Pascal Chauvaux, 80;
- Ray Strischek, 86;
- Gary Fogelman, 69X;
- Terry Keefer, 94XXX
- and Doug Majorsky, 91X.
Three days later with some of their lost luggage retrieved, although Pascal’s darts and atlatls never showed up, the European contingent was ready to continue their journey across the United States and with a variety of atlatl contests awaiting them. The first stop was Michigan where host Jim Gilligan awaited their arrival.
One stroke of luck was that a couple of years ago Pascal sent Bob Berg the specifications for making his darts. Bob made about 14 pre-forms and completed three darts. The 11 pre-forms sat in Bob’s shop in a dusty corner until this year when Pascal was able to finish them up to use in competitions throughout the United States. Fortunately, Pascal’s generosity in sharing his dart technology with Bob a couple of years ago ended up making the loss of his darts in transit not a total tragedy. Bob found it very interesting to watch Pascal work and to learn techniques from a person with highly developed skills. The newly completed darts were packed up and sent on to Jim Ray in Montana for competition in upcoming atlatl contests.
As did everyone who met our friends from Europe, everyone on the East Coast truly enjoyed meeting Pascal and crew!
Topped by the Clash of the Titans, the Candor 4th of July contest in Candor, NY, never slowed its pace. The weather was great, sunny and warm with hardly a breeze and the company was great.
All these worked together and ended in some fine scores including an 80X by Sharon Keefer of Pennsylvania giving her the top woman’s score in the ISAC! Congratulations Sharon.
Other ISAC scores over 70 for men; 50 for women and 40 for youth were as follows:
- JoAnne Fogelman, Turbotville, Pa. – 58;
- Margie Takoch, Wintersville, Oh. – 59;
- Don Roberts, Wintersville, Oh.,- 66;
- Sharon Keefer, Fort Loudon, Pa., – 80X;
- Lori Majorsky, Derry, Pa. – 56;
- Bob Rowe, Sayre, Pa. – 80 (age 16);
- Ken McIntosh, Vestal, NY – 84;
- Tom Goble Sr., Waverly, NY – 71X;
- Martin Strischek, Marville, Ohio, – 70;
- Frank Takoch, Wintersville, Ohio, 82X;
- Chuck Butorajac, Ligonnier, Pa., 85;
- Denny Bard, Fort Loudon, Pa., 79;
- Jeremy Bard, Fort Loudon, Pa, 79X;
- Toni Roberts, Wintersville, Ohio, 58;
- Chris Pappas, Hancock, NY, 86;
- Dana Klein, Belfast, NY, 74;
- Scott Van Aradale, Otego, NY, 76X;
- Dennis Lantz, Ulster, Pa., 82X;
- Brandon Anderson, Waverly, NY, 83X;
- Bob Berg, Candor, NY, 88XX.
Ray Strischek of Ohio won the Grand Champion Award with a score of 78 on the local contest. Second place for the men went to Chuck Burtorajac of Pennsylvania with a score of 75 and third place went to Gary Fogelman, also of Pennsylvania, with a score of 69. It should be noted that Gary who normally throws with his right arm used his left arm for this competition because of an injury. Lori Majorsky won first place with a score of 41 for the women and Toni Roberts came in second with a score of 31. For youth, Zachary Wilhelm, 9, of New York won first place with a score of 28. Many made long trips to Candor to compete – Thank You all!
Information provided by Bob and Cheryll Berg, Written by Cheryll Berg.