After a 2 year pause, it was finally time to celebrate 20 years Blackriver, with Fast Fingers 20. The event took place on July 6, 2019, marking the 10th Fingerboard Worldmaster contest.
Around 600 fingerboarders from around the world made the trek to attend the event. People travelled from Europe, USA, Australia, Israel, and the longest travelled participant came from South Patagonia (Mauro you rule!!). If someone would have told us that 20 years ago, we wouldn't have believed it!
FF20 took place in an old industrial supply hall in Schwarzenbach a.d. Saale, directly next to Blackriver HQ. The hall was generously lent to us to use free of charge from GKU Winterling, in cooperation with the city of Schwarzenbach. We are very grateful, as this was a huge part of being able to make the event happen.
The contest began at 1PM and lasted 8 hours. No chance that anyone was bored in that time; the contestants and visitors had 40 parks and the new G15 Blackriver fingerboard park (which was designed and built years before, specifically for FF20 by Martin Ehrenberger) to endlessly shred.
The decision to minimize the musical background during the contest provided an exciting atmosphere, as both spectators and riders could get more involved and focus on the competition.
The winner and Fast Fingers WM 2019 was awarded to our team rider Jeldo Ulpts, from Dortmund, who definitely earned the title. For those of you who don't know, Jeldo did not only become fingerboard WM, but also US master of 2019. Congrats Jeldo!
Second place went to Tobias “Stolly” Stoll, and third place was taken by Nico Frank, another Blackriver-team rider.
We want to take the time to thank our colleagues, family, and last but not least our volunteers - for example the moderators Ramon Angelow and Paolo Melillo, the judges, the DJ, and the bartenders. Without you all, the event would not have been possible.
All in all, the event was awesome and we are super happy with the turnout. A thousand thank yous to everyone that made it out to Schwarzenbach; you guys are the best!
Much love,
Your Blackriver team
