The Loppet Kubb Tournament is just one week away. We’re happy to announce that the 2014 Loppet Tournament is bigger than ever. Over 200 participants will gather February 1st representing 64 teams from 5 states for the largest winter kubb tournament in the world.
Here are the 64 Teams and the city they represent
Minnesota Kubb will release the tournament groups live Sunday, January 26th at 8pm on Fox Valley Kubb Radio. Tune in to find out who you’ll play!
Saturday turned out to be an absolutely perfect day for kubb in downtown Minneapolis at the picturesque Marquette Plaza. Teams of all skill levels gathered to celebrate kubb on the Nicollet Mall. The day kicked off with group play starting at 10am and a very tough early match between Goofy Kubbers and Regicide. In what became a preview of the finals match, Goofy Kubbers took the match 2-0 thanks to the very good drilling from Evan Fitzgerald. Newcomers and fan favorite Klassy Kubbers learned the game on the fly having played only once before. They proved beyond a doubt how fun it can be just learning the game of kubb. In the other group, Team Meh cruised through group play with Micah and Lee playing lights out kubb. Garrick Van Buren (normally of Kubbchucks) playing as The American Facial Hair Experiment found his team, once again, in a few hourlong grinder matches but managed second in the group behind Team Meh.
Teams fanned out through downtown for lunch as the Pizza Luce Block Party kicked off nearby and the sun crawled it’s way up the tiered pitches. A few big names in the kubb world were seen playing a friendly or two before teams gathered to start knockout play. The #1 vs #4 games went as expected but not as quickly as one might have thought. The Klassy Kubbers didn’t look intimidated against Team Meh and The Queens of kubb held their own against The Goofy Kubbers before both #1 seeds advanced. The #2 vs #3 games were very well played and pretty evenly matched. TAFHE again found themselves grinding out a long and well earned victory over Kubbic Zerconia (known to most as the Lakerol Originals). In the other #2 vs #3 match Regicide outlasted The Kubbler Elves, a very good team that has improved a lot and will be a team to beat at future tournaments.
While teams battled it out on the pitch, Minnesota Kubb designer and artist Sarah Wray created the trophies live on site. At Minnesota Kubb we pride ourself on unique trophies highlighting the talent of local artists and this was no exception. With a variety of supplies and tools at her disposal – players, volunteers, and spectators watched as Sarah created the unique trophies throughout the day. Sarah chose a theme reflecting the urban nature of the tournament – using street art influence to stencil and paint the trophies.
The semifinals kicked off with a match between Regicide and Team Meh that could have been the finals had the bracket played out differently. Both teams were highly skilled and the match reflected that all the way through. Regicide were able to eventually break through winning 2-0. In the other semifinal, Goofy Kubbers outlasted TAFHE and the finals were set.
Goofy Kubbers and Regicide moved up to the waiting Championship Pitch on the top tier of the Marquette Plaza and the finals were underway. The match showcased Evan Fitzgerald, one of the best inkastres in the nation against Dave Ellringer and Cole Vryens, two of the better blasters around. Evan and Braden played great kubb several times hitting clutch doubles with their 6th baton. On the other side the story was Josh Dibley who set up Dave and Cole extremely well all match long. Drilling for the first time in a final, Josh stayed cool under pressure and was the difference helping Regicide capture the first annual Minnesota Kubb Open in two games.
It was a great day to play on the Plaza and we’re looking forward to returning to the space for future events.
We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the American Swedish Institute for Cocktails at the Castle this Thursday, July 25th from 7pm to 11pm. Check out our facebook page to win free tickets. In the mean time, here’s what you really want to know: FIKA Street Food, Indeed Beer, Live Music, Pumphouse Ice Cream, DJ’s from 89.3 The Current, and kubb. Lots and lots of kubb.
Three kubb pitches will service a variety of skill levels. With the help of Minnesota Kubb Volunteers, beginners can get the basics at our “Learn to Play” pitch while an “Open Play” pitch allows players to try a match of their own. Graduate from that and think you can hang with the experts? Our “Challenge Pitch” will allow players to test their skills against a team of “pros.” Beat the pros and you’ll get free registration for the 2013 Minnesota Kubb Open Tournament on August 10th.
It seemed like it might not happen at all, but summer has found it’s way here to Minneapolis. And while it’s been a little Seattle-like we take summers seriously here in L’Etoile du nord. So we’re rolling out three great ways to play kubb in the sun!
Tri-Loppet Tournament – June 29th, 10am to 3pm – Registration is open now!
We’re excited to again partner with the Loppet to bring you a fun afternoon of live music, food, (free) beer, and of course kubb! Never played in a summer tournament before? Never played kubb at all? Perfect! This relaxed environment is an ideal way to transition from backyard/BBQ player to tournament champ! As usual we’ll have practice pitches for open play and volunteers available to help those who need some help remembering how to play. Did we mention free beer? All participants (of age) receive a free Surly beer ticket – register a team of 6 players and this tournament pays for itself in delicious Surly!
Cocktails at the Castle – July 25th, 7pm to 11pm
Minnesota Kubb will be taking over the East Lawn of the American Swedish Institute for this one of a kind evening. Listen to live music, explore the grounds, eat food from FIKA, and play kubb! Indeed Brewing will be serving beer near the kubb pitches along with Pumphouse Ice Cream. Three pitches will be available: one for beginners to learn the basics, one for open play, and one “challenge” field for you to try your hand against a team of experts. More details can be found on the American Swedish Institute’s event page. No need to register, your ticket will get you access to all the kubb fun!
Minnesota Kubb Summer Open – August 10th
We’re very excited to introduce Minnesota Kubb’s first Summer Open Tournament. Mark you calendars now as we expect this event to fill up fast. This will be a small tournament held at the Marquette Plaza green space (formerly Cancer Survivors Park) near the Central Library on the Nicollet Mall. Details and registration information will be announced soon.
McLovin
The 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament is set to be a great one, thanks to these fantastic volunteers! We had a great meeting last night and I couldn’t be more excited to work with such skilled people. To my left they are: (L to R) Sarah Wray, Jake Freeberg, Josh Dibley, Rachel Goplin, Megan Gamble, Cole Vyrens, Shaun Laden. Not pictured but just as awesome are: Raulie Ruiz, Becca Stohlmann, Mike Jackelen, Jill Johnson, Danielle Claseman, and David Davies-Deis.
See you on the ice,
Eric Goplin
The 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament is less than two weeks away and we’re getting geared up here at Minnesota Kubb HQ! Medals, Bibs, and Trophies are all prepared and ready to go. This year will be our biggest tournament yet with 40 plus teams (and counting) registered coming from 3 states. For me personally it’s a pleasure to welcome so many teams from out of state to this urban tournament here in my home city of Minneapolis. While on Lake Calhoun recently I saw countless walkers, joggers, runners, skiers, and bikers were using the lake as if it was June. There is a great sense of pride felt by many Minnesotan’s who don’t allow our harsh winters to stop us from getting outside and doing the things we love. It’s certainly in that spirit that we host this tournament and hope it’s part of what drives so many teams to travel here to enjoy a day of celebrating kubb outside.
I’m also impressed and humbled by the number of participants from right here in the Twin Cities. Last year I was pleasantly surprised by the number of local teams whom I’d never met. It’s great to know so many people are playing kubb right here in the Twin Cities. I truly look forward to meeting new players and teams again this year.
As we approach our 4th Winter Tournament it’s fun to think back on how far we’ve come since 2010, but we’ll save that for February 3rd. For now we have our eyes squared firmly on the 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament and hope you do too!
Minnesota Kubb will host an open practice at the site of the 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament on Lake Calhoun Saturday, January 19th at 1pm. No need to be registered for the tournament, just come enjoy a fun afternoon of kubb!
Lake Calhoun near Tin Fish Restaurant (NE part of the lake)
Saturday, January 19th – 1pm
An Updated List of Registered Teams can now be found on the 2013 Tournament Page at minnesotakubb.com
Don’t forget to check out our fantastic sponsors:
Frostbead Studios
Kubbnation Magazine
As we move into December registration for the 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament is in full swing. Many familiar faces return including all of the 2012 semifinalists, as well as veteran kubb teams like The Ringers, Lakerol Originals, and Kingpin. As a kubb enthusiast I love watching the sport of kubb grow. So while I love seeing the veteran teams slug it out in the later rounds, watching teams play in (and truly enjoy) their first tournament brings me a unique joy.
First Timers
I was truly blown away by how many people braved the elements to participate in the 2012 Loppet Kubb Tournament. Looking back almost a year later, I’m even more amazed at how many of those were first time participants. Why such a large percentage of first time participants? For starters, credit the Loppet. The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation has undoubtedly captured the spirit of not just winter recreation, but the collective attitude Minnesotans know so well – the idea that we can’t let a bitter and prolonged freeze stop us from doing the things we love. The Loppet offers the chance to do just that. In this case, that thing we love? Kubb.
Growth
When early registration ended 3 days ago, the total number of teams signed up for the Loppet Tournament had already reached 25. The growth of our tournament reflects the broader growth seen around the Midwest and that of the U.S. Championships in Eau Claire. However, it doesn’t fail to continue to amaze me how far we’ve come. Three years ago we scraped, begged, and borrowed our way to an 8* team “tournament” in a Minneapolis backyard. Since then the Minnesota Kubb Winter tournament has doubled in size from 8 in 2010, to 16 in 2011, to 32 in 2012. The goal (while lofty) is to once more double in size this year to 64. Such a growth rate is not indefinitely sustainable, but it speaks to the potential of where kubb can go in Minnesota and the Midwest.
Here’s to a great 2013 Loppet Kubb Tournament,
Eric Goplin – Director
* Many of them less-than-willing participants convinced (bribed) to attend with the promise of hot toddies.