Champion of Championships

France should definitely known as the

country of plentiful championships, championships that allow everyone
to be a winner at some point. . . .
even if you think you aren't exceptionally good at anything in this world.


A crowd gathered overlooking the river at Nérac, the closest big town.
For what could they possibly all be waiting?

It was none other than. . . .

. . .The annual championship of wine-barrel racing!
On your marks, get set....

GO!
And they're off in a puff of flames.

Hmmm... I don't know about these guys...
Seems crazy to me.

Ohhh, and one unfortunate soul is down for the count.

Admitting defeat, the contestant was taken ashore,
forlorn and disappointed, with his painted barrel beside him.

And if you thought that the festivities of the day were over, think again.
An obstacle course was strung up across the river for 2 teams in a race against time...

Through soaking t-shirts, faces bashing against tubes, and dangerously slippery platforms,
these daring individuals crossed the river as fast as they possibly could. . .

. . .while these 2 brave men blew encouraging masses of flames into the air.

Dirty water from the fire-blowers' flammable liquid, which was
spewed in a controlled manner(don't worry) onto the water and banks of the river.

No championship in France ends without bottles of wine for all...
or maybe just for the winners. Good enough incentive?

And these, THESE, ladies and gentlemen are the champions of
"who-can-stay-to-the-bitter-end".
And what did they get to show for it?

Nothing but a couple of sore bottoms I'm afraid.