TURNIP TOSS
Gold - Peter (last year eligible. Nice way to end it!)
Silver - "Rainbow" on Team Ryan
Bronze - Enid (Defending Champion)

PARTICULAR CONTROVERSIES:
Three outstanding issues were on everyone's lips on this brisk sub-zero (Celsius) day.

First one was chapstick. It was cold.

Second, last year's winner (who has a stinkin' PhD in Brassicas - no joke!) was seen practicing ice curling. If she has entered as a professional in a related sport, she may not be eligible for her amateur title from last year, as there is a two-year wait before one can use the prestige of winning the Rutabaga Curl to rake in millions in endorsements. But, the pressure seems to have been too much, as her throw did not land her in the finals this time.

Third, this was the FIRST YEAR we had Kohlrabi as a qualifying vegetable as part of our Projectile Diversification efforts recommended by the International Olympic Committee. We had only one entrant brave enough to throw the alternative missile, and it hooked to the right considerably. We may need to have Kohlrabi back after more testing in our secret Vegetable Physics facility in an undisclosed underground location on West Hill.

RECAP:
The day started out with some light snow flurries; tiny sporulating rutabaga babies floating down from the sky if you will. The market was in modest hubbub as the last outdoor Saturday was underway. The smell of hay bales and an attractive display of branches along the curling track offered a moment for the unwary shopper to recognize that something was different. For the wary, the air of excitement, the new booth selling 'bagas and shirts, and the smell of vegetable athletes was plenty to arouse the hair on the backs of necks. Today is the day!

As London set up his music and began to play songs alternating between stirring and ominous for the competition ahead, early riser athletes looking for their best 'steed' tuber to carry them to the awards podium began to appear. 'Bagas were considered, weighed, carved, and some practice rolls were heard - the soft thump that thrills all of our hearts.

This, being our 20th year, was going to be a live-streamed event on VSPN (Vegetable Sports Projectile Network). The TV crew showed up with a portable camera and started getting early crowd footage. Aaron and Becca oversaw the preparation with their usual aplomb and calm, so important for this event.
The crowd grew as high noon approached. The announcers Carolina and Jeff conducted interviews with some of the competitors and fans, inquiring about training techniques, latest controversies, and people's histories of vegetable throwing - sordid or otherwise. The Rutabaga Chorus, back from Brussels where they often perform in early December, held a warm-up rehearsal. Already at this point, the words warm-up felt pretty good on this brisk day. The Chorus was joined by extra brass instruments, adding to the regal feel of the event.
The throngs huddled together, not unlike scenes from the dead of winter in March of the Penguins. Then we saw it! We noticed the flame appear, all the way from Mt. Cruciferae in Greece, finally break away from the police escort and make a break for it through the market. The torch, carried by our own personal God, was passed to our Goddess and there was much rejoicing!

We had our Procession of the Athletes led by our Gladiator (from Rent-a-Spartan in Greece. He accompanied the flame the entire way flying in from Greece, and boy were his armaments tired!). The athletes held their tubers high as the crowd cheered. The Rutabaga Chorus offered their dulcet tones, and then we were off to the races. (We typically have a Ceremonial First Toss, but given our time constraints we figured the first thing to toss would be that ceremony - at least this go-around.)

Next we got down to the real business with the Turnip Toss. We had only four competitors this year, possibly due to late homework requirements from the local academic acadamy. (Is that redundant?) Peter, in his LAST YEAR as a competitor in the Turnip Toss division, came in first, with Fiona "Rainbow" and Enid (returning champion) taking the Silver and Bronze. "Sammia", at age 2 and 5/12ths, came up short with his throw and was seen later on the sidelines consoling himself with some apple cider - non-hard version.

Rutabaga Curl athletes then entered the stage and you could see how the years of training pay off with stellar forms and steely gaze. The gaze could have been frostbite on the eyeballs, but it looked steely at least. Past winners and newbies chomping at the bit to win big were all prepared and all gave a throw.
We had around 85 athletes all told. Notable entrants included: The Nicholson Dynasty, Keener representing The Birds of England, Rutabaga God and Mother of God from Team Kingbird, Lil' Rooty, Smasher, ChewBaga!! (crowd favorite and previous winner), Cheesehead, RollBo Baggins, Brooter, Danger Ranger from the US Army, Cool-Robby, The Turnip-nator, Ms. Rushmore, Freya the Viking Goddess (Staff pick), Ruby Bruiseday, BetsyBaga, JudiBaga, ButaBacon, RutaBerit, and Rutabitty, and the Team Plenty of Posies who always represent well.

Three heats of 25-30 contestants, some rolled true, some were off track. Part of the sport is that your baga may be hit by another and be closer to the target or further behind. Athletes have learned how to use the backdrop hay bales very well over the past four years.

We had entrants from both the United Kingdom AND England, Panama, Canada, Iceland, Mexico, and Vietnam. VIETNAM for goodness' sake! That brings to 23 the actual number of international countries we have had represented here over the 20 years! Athletes represented States from Pennsylvania, Indiana, South Dakota, New York (duh), Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Maine!

Many thanks to the tireless referees, whom it seems all have some variety of reddish hair, Beth, John, and Sam! Out TV cameraman Ezra, Our security detail Gladiator Steve, Our DJ, Aaron, Becca, the market venders who put up with this, and the athletes and supporters (not going to say athletic supporters) who make this event a truly fun, quirky, Ithacan experience!
If you have any corrections or additions, comment below.

Thanks Ithaca! You Rock, we all roll.