Contributed by Sarah Hyde
There is about to be an epic battle.
We’re talking Starks vs. Lannisters caliber. We’re talking Montagues and Capulets. We’re talking Harry Potter and Voldemort but instead of wands there are shoulder and hip checks. Instead of wearing robes, they’re wearing roller skates. And instead of being an orphan wizard and the lord of darkness they are derby women.
So there’s a few subtle differences, but basically it’s the same.
The finals are here. Mountain Mayhem is Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Rossland Arena.
This season has had big victories and losses. It has even had natural disasters. Speaking of which, major props to the Valley Vendettas who sadly had to forfeit their final match against the Killjoys due to the Lemon Creek jet fuel spill. The Vendettas had their own bout on July 27 and it was them versus evacuation and they triumphed. The team came together to help those of them who were evacuated, offering up their homes and support to one another.
Unable to field a team for their make up bout the Valley Vendettas have bide adieu to 2013. Finishing off the season in 5th with one win against the Babes of Brutality, we’ll all remember that bout girls, thank you!
So, Sunday, Sept. 8 who will be playing and for what?
The bout for third is between the Rossland Trail Roller Girls and the Dam City Rollers. The Dams were beaten by RTRG on their home turf so the Dams need to get their vengeance. Fuelled be their loss the Dams have been steadily building throughout the season and were the undefeated Killjoys toughest competition all season. RTRG is a new team this year, made up of some vets with major derby resumes and some really promising rookies. This could go either way but at the end of it one of these teams will be chanting, “We’re # 3! We’re #3!”
Now for the boot… the Golden Boot. I have never actually seen it but I have heard stories of its glory. I've heard tell that those who look on it are never the same and it sings songs, of the glories of past bouts, when you hold it to your ear.
Of course those are just rumours, but what I know for sure is that whoever wins it is the winner of season 4 and both the Babes of Brutality and the Nelson Killjoys want it. They want it bad.
One could dwell on the fact that when last them met the Nelson Killjoys destroyed the Babes 282-93. But, that almost 200 point difference happened before the Babes beat RTRG on July 27 and won 198-167. This thrust them into second place and may have given them the momentum they need to take the season.
The Babes are also the foundational team for derby in the West Kootenays and that experience shouldn’t be underestimated. It was members of the Babes that trained up many of the Killjoys. Dr. Frankenstein made a monster that destroyed him.
The Babes helped create the undefeated derby monster that is the Killjoys, and now we’ll see if this monster bests them on September 8.
Doors open at 2 p.m. at the Rossland Arena. At 3 p.m. Rossland Trail Roller Girls will face off against the Dam City Rollers, followed by the Killjoys and Babes of Brutality at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance from:- Your favourite derby girl- Rossland: The Red Pair 2002 Columbia- Trail: Cedar Ave Salon 1334 Cedar Ave or online www.kootenayrollerderby.com
$15 at the door. Kids 10 years and under just $2 at the door. A beverage garden of the adult variety, derby merchandise and 50/50 draw will all be available.
When the smoke clears who will be left standing?