It was indeed a historic moment in human history when the NASA probe DART collided with the asteroid Dimorphos on September 27, altering its orbit.
But no less historic than the tenth anniversary of the Copenhagen Conker Championship, which took place again at Charlie’s Bar on Pilestræde in the city center on Saturday 22 October.
An eerie reenactment
Just as the DART dissolved into dust when it hit the mighty asteroid, Kornelja ‘Korn Dog’ Raylte’s conkers splintered all over the tarmac after directly hitting the opponent’s nut on the side.
It was in many ways an eerie re-enactment of the NASA operation, and like the team at Mission Control in Houston (or have they packed it off to Delhi these days?), Elin ‘nihilation’ Giese was temporarily dumbfounded – but no, the remains were all of her opponent, leaving her conker dangling in history.
Øresund line
NASA had to wait a fortnight for confirmation of the result, but championship organizer Jon Nunn had no doubts about this course and bow: the journey across the Øresund from her native Sweden had paid off for the victor, and Elin’ nihilation lifted the trophy with unbridled joy.
Her beaten opponent, last year’s winner, was left to rue the tenacious strike with a conker clearly on its final strings.
Copenhagen conquered
“This year’s tournament was the most intense yet,” Nunn told CPH POST after the final strike. “This is possibly the most exciting thing that has happened to Sweden in years. I think there is a possibility that they can name a street after her.”
Nunn’s appetite for urchins, a pastime first practiced on the Isle of Wight in 1848, shows no signs of abating.
“This was the 10th anniversary and the best ever – here’s to 10 more years of conkers,” he enthused.
“Thanks again to CPH POST and Charlie’s Bar for their unwavering support.”
Source: The Nordic Page