The World Games is more than an Ultimate event. 3,500 of athletes compete in 40 sports at 27 venues around Duisburg, Germany. This is a special experience for the Ultimate players competing here, and we asked them a few questions to find out more about their experience.

First, the questions we asked are listed. Answers from one player to represent each of the 6 teams follow below.

1. Best experience outside of competition?
2. Your team’s toughest match-up?
3. Best player you’ve played against/seen here at the World Games?
4. Best part of playing at the World Games?
5. Have you gone to watch any other sports while here at the World Games?
6. If you weren’t playing Ultimate at the World Games, which sport would you play?
7. Have you learned any German words or phrases while here?
8. Are you bringing back any souvenirs?
9. Did you get your picture taken with Allwin?

Thanks to Elizabeth Murray and Tom Deaver for help with the questions.

Joshua Ziperstein – USA #2

1. Last night in the dining hall when the Italian marching band came in and everyone danced on the tables.
2. Australia
3. Hasanuddin “Hans” Tiro (8) on Germany. He was very fast, made great cuts, and was really hard to guard.
4. Playing other countries, it feels like the Olympics. It’s a dream.
5. I saw the gold medal game for in-line hockey between the US and Canada, speedskating, faustball, casting, and some water sports like wakeboarding and barefoot waterskiing.
6. Fistball looked awesome.
7. Not really, I learned how to say “fact” as it was a word in our cheer, so we could say it when we played Germany, but I forgot it. I also learned how to say tap water, but I forgot that too.
8. A gold medal. Hopefully trade my jersey for other team jerseys.
9. Yes I did, at the party on Wednesday or Thursday.

Erin Huck – Canada #3

1. Seeing the diversity of athletes and events. I have only been to WFDF World Championships for Ultimate, not to other events that include other sports. Oh, and the band playing in the messhall.
2. That’s a split. It is always fun to play USA. There is the familiarity of players that adds to the competition. But playing Australia was exciting. It was great to have an exciting match against them. It was quite a challenge.
3. I had a good run against Sarah Wentworth (44) from Australia. It is always a challenge marking Deb Cussen (27) from the USA for sure. And it is always fun running against Miranda Roth (25) from the USA.
4. The level of experience on the Canadian team is really high. When we click we are able to use our experience and really execute. Playing with the best players against the best players. We are fortunate to be part of a broader event.
5. In-line hockey, casting, and of course fistball.
6. Squash – I don’t play, but I would like to try.
7. “I’d like to wish you a good day”, and I can also order vegetable soup.
8. A lot of learning and a lot of memories.
9. I did! On the first day, but I haven’t seen him since. He hasn’t come to see any of our games.

Ilkka Rämö – Finland #6

1. The match against USA, for me personally. It is always wonderful to play tough games.
2. The Canadians beat us pretty badly, but it wasn’t so bad because we were never in it. It was physically toughest for us against the USA.
3. Jeff Cruickshank (19) from Canada
4. The atmosphere is great. It is always fun to play in front of a crowd. Tough games – I like that. Playing on the physical edge.
5. We watched the rugby finals. Casting and fistball of course.
6. Indoor hockey.
7. No.
8. Not yet. I haven’t had time. (Illka has a 3 ½ week baby at home – congratulations to a proud pappa!)
9. No, I don’t know him.

Tom Rogacki – Australia #42

1. Watching Canada and USA fight in the in-line hockey gold medal game. It was inspirational. USA won the game, but Canada won the fight.
2. USA , the only team who beat us. We respect Canada very highly as well.
3. There are a lot of great players. Mashahiro Matsuno (13) from Japan is amazing. Quick, can throw. Deb Cussen (27) from USA is an inspiration, dominates the game. Andrew Lugsdin (9) from Canada is always hard to run after as well.
4. Being part of a larger sport event. Getting to travel. It is a long way to come here, but Australians have to travel to get good competition. Hopefully people can come to Worlds in Perth and see Australia next year.
5. Korfball, in-line hockey, fistball.
6. American football.
7. Not much, just the polite words – “thank you” and “hello”. Sarah Wentworth on our team lives in Germany and works as a German translator. If we didn’t select her for the team for her Ultimate skills we definitely would have picked her for her translation skills.
8. My wife would kill me if I didn’t. I bought her Birkenstocks. Also I bought many discs, and we exchanged gifts with other teams. I’ll try to swap shirts with other teams too.
9. With who? Oh the mascot. I have seen him around. Tomorrow if I’m lucky.

Catrin Schreiber – Germany #11

1. I went to the Opening Ceremony which was fun. There were only two of us participating, but we had fun. We got to meet people from different sports who came to see Ultimate and we went to see them compete.
2. Our toughest game was Saturday against Japan because we knew we had to beat them by three points. We thought we could win. Other teams were fun to play, but we weren’t disappointed to lose those games.
3. Sarah Wentworth (44) from Australia because she is so fast. She played a great game against the USA.
4. The best part is to see Ultimate as part of a big event of different sports. We see other people who have to explain their sports too! Great Ultimate competition, hard-fought games, great spirit.
5. A lot of fistball of course. That was amazing as they also dive for the ball. We saw the rugby final today and the in-line skating final.
6. Korfball because it is mixed. Or one of the swimming events because I used to be a swimmer.
7. I know German. I have refreshed some of my Japanese numbers which I had forgotten.
8. I bought a disc. And of course pictures and memories.
9. No but during the Opening Ceremony they had giant balloons with the logo of every sport, and we took pictures of ours with two kids holding it. It was really cool.

Emiri Minegishi – Japan #2

1. Everything has been a good experience for me. If I get a medal, it will be even better
2. Canada
3. Philipp Timmermann (#4) on Germany. Also Deb Cussen (#27) on USA has great throws and great spirit.
4. Having a crowd makes it very motivating to play. It is exciting.
5. Finswimming, casting, and in-line skating
6. In-line skating. And Sumo – just kidding!
7. “I love you.”
8. German wine and chocolate. And hopefully a bronze medal.
9. Yes!