CHICAGO, IL -- In the highest-level matchup derby will see until October's regional tournaments, the #1 ranked 2007 WFTDA champions Kansas City go skate to skate with one of WFTDA's toughest teams, #7 Windy City.
This bout will be covered live on DNN's Leadjammer Boutcast by DNN's Gnosis. Boutcast starts at 7PM Central time on Saturday.
The KC girls venture into one of the deadliest venues into derby for this match -- thus far, no team who has faced the #7 Windy City Rollers at home has come out on top, and recently, the margins have been enormous. While WCR's last two bouts in Cicero Stadium have been against teams that have fallen on rough times recently (Tucson is 1-6 while Minnesota is 2-4 in 2008), the WIndy City wins were staggering -- 138-19 over Tucson and 206-18 against Minnesota. Their most recent victory, away at #12 Rocky Mountain, was much closer, but still convincing, as they took down the home team 97-58.
While Cicero has a reputation for having a particularly slick surface, that won't be as much of a factor this go around -- WCR will be playing on sport court rather than concrete for the first time in the venue, perhaps intending to get a better tune-up for the sport court on which the upcoming tournaments will be played.
If roller derby has a league that deserves the sports moniker of "Cardiac Kids," KCRW would have to be it. No league has played as many high-level nailbiters as this crew, going back to their performance at the 2007 Dust Devil. There, they propelled themselves to Nationals with an upset win over Arizona 75-70, only sealing the deal in the very last jam. Once there, they had to beat back three late comebacks in a row (15 points over Gotham, 8 points over Carolina, and a thrilling 4 points over Rat City) to claim the championship.
Three months later, they would stage a 26 point comeback but still lose their first bout as a #1 in an unbelievably close 96-95 bout against Carolina. And most recently, in July, almost as if they were specifically trying to erase the memory of that Carolina loss, they'd fight back from another 26 point deficit against Texas to win ... by a single point, 102-101.
Windy City will be sporting familiar faces from their last few all-star bouts, but Kansas City appears to be without a couple of big names from last year's tournaments, including Annie Maul, Dee Claw and Dominant Jean. Ivana Clobber, Rita Ploy and Red Ripper, all of whom played in the recent Texas game, are also not rostered this time out. Making their first appearance in high-level play here are Nadia Lott, Billie Club, Lunatic Fringe and Eclipse -- they are all playing in their second all-star bout after playing against #33 No Coast in June.
WCR and KCRW are both known for running fast, cohesive packs, and both leagues have the cream of the crop when it comes to jammer speed, particularly in KCRW's Snot Rocket and Xcelerator and WCR's Varla Vendetta and Kola Loka. With both teams likely to be playing a somewhat similar game, it's likely to come down to which team can take control of the momentum -- but both teams are also known for rabid comebacks when nearly down and out.
Both Windy City and Kansas City are odds-on favorites to finish in the top four in their respective tournaments and proceed to Nationals, so this bout might very well be a preview of a November meeting in Portland.
Additional reporting: Ivana Clobber, Bruz-Her
Bruz-Her #244 // Princess Slay-Ya #XOXO // Jade Lightning #816 // Archie Lee #59 // Jessika Rabid #11 // Eclipse #0 // Hall Balls #30 // Patti Wackin #911 // Snot Rocket #4 // Bad Omen #999 // Nadia Lott #37 // Billie Club #12// Xcelerator #34 // Lunatic Fringe #973
98 Beth Amphetamine // 5 Blossom Bruiso // 1847 Donna Party // 0 Eva Dead // 219 Hoosier Mama // 6 Malice with Chains // 1980 Megan Formor // 9 Nina Millimeter // 15 Shocka Conduit // 25 Varla Vendetta // 777 Ying O'Fire // 999 Yvette YourMaker // 666 Belle Diablo // 911 Kola Loka
Not concrete.
Cicero doesn't have a concrete floor--it's linoleum or something similar. That's wonderful that WCR got sport court!
Cincinnati Rollergirls
Anyone.Anytime.Anywhere.
K-I-L-L-W-C-R!!
Go get 'em KCRDub!!!
I'm so sad I'm not playing in this game. (sister's wedding) I heart Windy City!! It's going to be a good game. :)
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"In this sport there are winners, and there are losers. But we are all winners because we are on skates."
--Coach Death
rah rah!
go team! K-I-L-L-W-C-R
so looking forward to tomorrow!
xoxo
just to clarify
but not sure it matters...we actually purchased SKATE court. we fell in love with it at regionals last year and think it's the best thing created since...well since anything...
we are so pumped for this game!
Skate vs sport court?
This is one element of derby that I am completely ignorant about. Can somebody educate me on the differences?
JFM
brands
aren't they just different brand names?
This is one element of derby that I am completely ignorant about. Can somebody educate me on the differences?
JFM
Holly Gohardly
Charm City Roller Girls
wow...that's a lot of uses!
http://www.icecourt.com/
http://www.flexcourt.com/
http://www.sportcourt.com/
Holly Gohardly
Charm City Roller Girls
surfaces
Gotham has deep experience with both Skate Court (aka Ice Court) and Sport Court.
Frankly, they both skate just about the same.
Skate Court has little ventilation holes in each piece which can tear up your skin like a cheese grater if you fall on it just the right way.
Skate Court is lighter and easier to piece together and easier to take apart.
Skate Court is quieter because the pieces fit together more tightly.
Skate Court pieces are 10" x 10", Sport Court pieces are 12" x 12". This can make a big difference when planning its installation and movement.
One piddly issue with the preview
"Sport Court" is a proper noun, it's a brand name. Despite derby folks tending to use it as a common noun (ala Xerox, Band Aids, etc). So it should be capitalized up there. Or replaced with "Skate Court."
My other derby name is "Anal-Retentive Man."
-Barely even speaking for myself...
*~[
Grand Poobah
Sin City Stat Pack
Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls
So excited!!
Watching KC's run to the National Championship last year was awesome! Their fast style of play was a joy to watch. What a great test for the WCR leading into regionals. A fitting final bout to close out the old barn in Cicero.
Go WCR go!!!
Lion hearted...
Chicago probably has the second toughest pack in the nation (next to Gotham?? I would say...) ... but KC has heart. I like the point Justice made about their uncanny ability to pull through when everything is on the line. Yeah, I think Windy City IS tougher from a cold start, sure, but KCRW has exhibited an unmatched amount of heart, passion, and courage when it REALLY counts! Frankly, this is THEE bout of the '08 season, as far as I am concerned, and I am very sad to be missing it... but Fall Brawl will still be awesome. My heart goes out to KC on this one. This seriously could be the Warriors toughest challenge to date though. Godspeed, ladies...... you'll definitely need it.
Man I am so excited to see how this one turns out! Much love to Windy City just the same!
Bat Wing
Ref - CoMo Derby Dames, Columbia, MO.
Jammer - Midwest Men's Roller Derby (Midwest Monsters), regional club
http://www.myspace.com/refbatwing
Packs
KC's pack is second to no one until proven otherwise. They won nationals mainly because of their pack's intelligence and aggression (yeah, Snot and X are decent too). This version of KC is missing a pair of their strongest blockers, Annie and Rita, but I still recall how fluidly Archie Lee subbed in for Xavia at nationals too. They can bring in lesser known skaters and still get the job done. KC's pack is the shit is what I'm saying.
This bout will be dominated by pack aggression and I wish I had planned a trip to Windy to see this one. I think the bout will be pretty close as well and both teams are first class too. Put on a good one, ladies.
Hmmm
Wow, Angus. I guess RMRG doesn't look that bad anymore.
Blathering
It appears you're missing the point that was made in that particular thread. You and your girls go beat Houston and then hang close or beat Texas and then you can talk up your league. Until then, you're unproven against the elite teams. Unproven.
...
It appears you're missing the point that was made in that particular thread. You and your girls go beat Houston and then hang close or beat Texas and then you can talk up your league. Until then, you're unproven against the elite teams. Unproven.
I like to think that the great thing about roller derby is that there is no elitism, I guess I could be wrong.
Holly Gohardly
Charm City Roller Girls
Elite doesn't equal elitism
elite = "The best or most skilled members of a group."
elitism = "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority; the sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class."
Totally agree that there is no elitism in derby and that is awesome. I believe that Angus was driving at something else though -- the whole reason we have a system of rankings and tournaments is to determine who the best are.
JFM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
I don't know if I am going to throw up or cry right now. I cannot wait for this!!! WooHoo!
Windy City Rollers: MeganFormor
I usually try not to hang
I usually try not to hang out in front of a computer on a Saturday night, but I might need to make an exception for this!
Ana Bollocks
Gotham Girls Roller Derby
I have been incredibly
I have been incredibly impressed with Chi-town this year and who wouldnt be? They have a very strong, fast, talented and intelligent team and one only needs to look at who they have beaten and what they have accomplished in the past year to believe that they have a very good chance to pull off a little upset Saturday night. Unfortunately for WCR they are going up against a team that is ALSO strong, fast, VERY talented and intelligent. For my money the bout of the year (thus far) was KC's incredible victory over TX. Right now I would put Gotham at #1-A and KC at #1-B. As impressed as I am with WCR and as tuff as it has been for anyone to go into Chicago and win I still believe that KC is gonna emerge with a hard-fought victory. KC is gonna prove just a little too much for Chi-town at this point. But next year?? All bets are off. Those Windy City skaters could very well be in KC's place by then. They have everything they need to rise to the level of the Goths and the Warriors. Just wont happen tomorrow night is all.
Home Field Advantage
I heart Biker Dave. He's always willing to go out on a limb and pick a team, so I'm inspired to join him, but I'm going to take the other side.
With Kansas not skating Annie Maul, Dee Claw and Dominant Jean, Rita Ploy and Red Ripper, I think Windy City has a chance and with home field advantage, I pick Windy City to win this one. It ought to be an exciting and close game, can't wait to read it on DNN's boutcast when I get back from tonight's bout.
ouch
BURN! I'm the 6th benched skater. Dude, I woulud'a helped!
I believe in any roster picked from this team, I'm excited to support the team from the stands this time; rah rah go Warriors!
xoxo,
Clobbsy
No Disrespect Intended
Sorry Ivanna, no disrespect intended, but there's two reasons I left you off the list.
One, you weren't on KCRW's Championship team in Austin.
Two, I can't say I know how you skate. The only time I could've seen you was at Heartland Havoc, when Boston played Detroit. And the outstanding skaters I remember from that game were Shellby Shattered and Sarah Doom of Boston and Racer McChaser's overtime dash to victory.
I'm sorry, I just don't know of your awesomeness, so to be honest, I left you off.
happy
to have proved you wrong on this one biker dave!!!!
but always happy to see your posts here!
cheers
ying o'fire
WCR #777
Right on Ying!! But I did
Right on Ying!! But I did say that ya had a chance at the upset (he says with a sheepish grin and uncomfortable wriggle). WCR are kickin' total ass.
Heads Up For Hurt
I read somewhere that you're feeding all those Fall Brawl scores into the recent scores list on the home page. While perusing, I noticed that the final WCR KCRW scores are flip flopped.
thank you
I flop like one every week. I really need to go get a cat scan or something.
Prepared to hear
Once again, I am ready to hear all bout who "did not skate" this bout...but I saw what I saw...and heads up play and pack control propelled Windy City to domination of this bout. I expected more than I saw...from #1.
woah!!!
nobody expected that outcome tonight! I am both stunned and so proud of the WCR!!!! Unbelievable bout. Craziness.
Afterparty was kickin too! Can't wait for regionals.
speechless!!!
To KC...
I am really tired today... maybe it was the bout... maybe it was the Megan Formor Sandwich that was made buy uncountable KC skaters at the after party... who knows??? But damn, it was fun!
It was an honor to skate the same track with you. What a night!
Till we meet again..... :)
Windy City Rollers: MeganFormor
second that!
thanks to KC once again for the opportunity to play!
Dear KC...
Ummmm...ya know that I think the world of ya right? Ya know how much love I have for your incredible team right? Ya know that I adore Snot Rocket right? Ya know how much respect I have for Xcelerator right?? Well, I know that you were missing some key skaters and all but may I just interject one 'lil thingie at this juncture? WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!??
Big Ups to KCRW
Snot Rocket is one skater who, since Feb 2006, has consistently motivated me to work to become a better derby athlete. I respect her ability to consistently evolve her game and her dedication to the sport. She is inspiring to watch on the track!
Thank you to KC and all your incredible skaters. I second Megan Formor's sentiments: it was a long awaited honor to skate with the ladies of KCRW!
No excuses...Windy City
No excuses...Windy City played a great bout and shut down KCRW. I hope there's a rematch in the final game at Nationals. Many thanks to Pam Demic and Mr. Demic for being awesome hosts to us non-skaters; you guys f'n rock!
Lead photographer for the WFTDA national champions...the KC Roller Warriors!
AMAZING!!
I have been thinking about the WCR vs KCRW bout last Saturday and have never been so proud of the WCR!! I can't wait to see them dominate in Madison. Keep on truckin!!
Holy WTF!
Wow, I had to do a double take at the score! It's amazing to see the progression of "elite" (deffinitions noted)in this sport and how it's handed off from different teams. Honestly, from a non-WFTDA league (yet) everyone DID WORK! You guys are all awesome and we hope to join your ranks sometime soon.
Skyler Durden
ICT Rollergirls
Wichita, KANSAS!
Mishcief. Mayhem. Skates.