Kemijärvi
Yukigassen 2005

Welcome Back to Kemijärvi, and now...
Let's once again join Leonard Nosewell, our imaginary Sportscaster at the field of play...


Mr. Leonard Nosewell...The Imaginary International Sportscaster

Hullo Ladies and Gentlemen! And a warm Welcome! to you from the Yukigassen playing field located here, at the Ahvensalmi Sports Field in Kemijärvi Finland.
It feels great to be back here in Finnish Lapland, above the ARCTIC CIRCLE, for Europe's 11th annual YUKIGASSEN!

The Ahvensalmi Sports Field

This imaginary New Yorker extends to you, a warm welcome back to Kemijärvi City, a charmingly beautiful town - the town of forest and water. And why not? Since the town is named after the vast lake that surrounds it, amidst the forested fells. Your reporter has been on location in Soubetsu, Japan _the very birthplace of Yukigassen_, I might add; for the past three years and for that reason unable to be here during that time to provide coverage of this annual event.
On this, the opening day, the sky is partially overcast, it is a bit windy and there are some wet snow squalls in the area from time to time. Though the temperature is above the freezing point the wind makes it feel very cold. But rest assured... the game will be played regardless of the weather... for these are very tough competitors...


 And Now!... Let me tell you again, a little bit about this exciting and fun Winter Sport, which is played on a YUKIGASSEN Court -

A Yukigassen court

The field of play:

  • Measures 10 meters wide and 40 meters long.
  • Is divided into two halves.
  • Each half is divided into a middle and back field.
  • There are snow "castles" and "shields" placed on the field.
  • The players wear special helmets with face shields.
  • The helmets are red for one team and blue for the other team.
  • The players wear numbered bibs: Zero through Seven.
  • Zero is black and is reserved for the team captain who roams outside the sideline up to the centerline and shouts instructions to the team.
  • Each team captain is on a separate sideline.
  • The numbers 5, 6, and 7 are red and are reserved for the "go-fers" (backs) who are the only team members allowed to go into the back field where the crate of snow balls is stashed.
  • The numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are black and reserved for the "shooters" (forwards) who are NOT allowed to step into the back field.

The rules are simple:

  • Two opposing teams throw snow balls at each other.
  • When a player is stuck by a snowball the player is declared out by a sideline judge and must immediately leave the field of play.
  • Each team has a pennant that it is protecting from capture by the opposing team.
  • A match between teams consists of three 180 second "sets" and the winner of two sets wins the match.
  • Each team has 90 snow balls for each set.
  • A set is won on the basis of points or by outright capture of the opposing team's pennant.
  • Each team is awarded one point for each member remaining on the field at the end of a set.
  • If that determination is a draw, then the set is ruled a draw.
  • A pennant capture wins the set 7 - 0!
  • Both side lines have two line judges and one sideline has the head referee positioned at the centerline of the field. Their job is to observe the "hits" and to "flag" players out.
  • There is also a time keeper and a record keeper for each match.


 And now.. Lets move on to Page Two - The Competitors and their Arena
 

Return to the Top Page Two - the Competitors and their Arena Page Three  - the First Day's Action Page Four - Then Second Day's Action Page Five - The Finals and the Award Ceremony

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