Nestled amidst the picturesque vineyards and rolling hills of Sonoma wine country awaits one of the most anticipated events of the year: the popular WCO Pétanque tournament. This event draws competitors from far and wide, cultivating an atmosphere brimming with excitement and camaraderie. It has become a beloved tradition, celebrated with great fervor by both participants and spectators alike.
This year, the tournament drew over 120 competitors from all over the country and a few celebrities from France. The tournament is not just a contest of skill but a celebration of the game’s spirit and the camaraderie it fosters. The stars of the show this year were 2 amiable young fellows named Dylan Rocher and Damien Hureau, who amazed everybody with their extraordinary shooting skills.
In the game of pétanque, “le carreau” is one of the most spectacular shots of the game. This happens when a player’s boule knocks an opponent’s boule away and takes its place in the same spot. It is a feat difficult to achieve, and it usually takes years to perfect. However, to the amazement of the crowd, young Rocher and Hureau produced as many “carreaux” as a plate of green peas.
One of the major attractions of this tournament was the array of substantial prizes up for the top players. The allure of these prizes draws top-tier talent, elevating the level of play and the overall prestige of the event.
Yesterday, the tournament was well organized, except for a major boo-boo. In the afternoon, the players had to wait a long time before being given the green light for the second half of the tournament.. There was a large number of players, and somehow, a shortage of playing courts occurred. The organizers made a mistake and assigned the same court to various teams. Confusion and a long waiting period occurred.
This long delay naturally affected the rest of the day. In my old age, I am like chicken, I go to bed early. So around 4:30 pm, as it started to get a little nippy, I left the field. But I was told later that the tournament lasted until nightfall. Much too late for my delicate little nature.
The tournament fosters connections, creating lasting bonds among participants and spectators. Friendships are formed over shared interests and experiences, and the event serves as a platform for cultural exchange.
Whether you are a competitor, a spectator, or simply a lover of Petanque, this event should not be missed.
Partial tournament results procured by my (sleepy) moles:
Concours A
1st place: Dylan Rocher & Patrick Neuville
2nd place: Mark Greenberg & Damien Hureau
Concours B:
1st place: Emile Boujek & Joe Hass
Consolante A :
1st place : Bernard Passemar & Fabien Assie
Consolante B :
1st place : Caitlin & Albert Woodbury
If you know more about these results and have pictures of the winners, please let me know, and I will update my report. Thank you.
PS: I have a few pictures…
Merci Jean-Michel pour m’avoir aidé a corriger mes erreurs =😎