On February 1st 2018, the Roller Derby World Cup rolled into Manchester. Team Japan had chosen me as their official photographer, which meant I got centre track access to all the games (and priority on any games in which they played). It was an incredible four days, and a week later, I still feel like I haven’t fully recovered (even having managed to escape the dreaded lurgy from thousands of people bringing stuff my immune system isn’t prepped to cope with into one place).
I don’t know how to talk about the World Cup. It was an amazing experience, and tiring, and wonderful, and stressful, and exciting, and long, but also too short. I was happy when it was over, but also wishing it wasn’t!
I think the only way I can explain the brilliance of RDWC is how I saw it, through my own eyes. So, these are some of my favourite photos from the weekend, and how they represent about what I love about roller derby…
Smiles and Celebrations
Between teams and team-mates, roller derby is full of celebrations, and that’s one of the things that makes it so magical for me. It’s a competitive sport, and yet full of smiles, even for opponents.
Team Argentina celebrate a win
Team Australia win their semi-final
Team Aoetearoa started each game with a ceremonial war dance called a haka.
Smiles from Team Japan lining up for an end-of-game celebration
Team Japan celebrating a well-fought game…
Team Japan celebrating, despite losing!
Team Japan celebrating a win
The Fearleaders
Austrian cheerleaders in extremely tight neon outfits pulling off some stunning choreography… even more spectacular in person.
Fearleaders: a male Austrian cheerleading squad who love roller derby!
Fearleaders: a male Austrian cheerleading squad who love roller derby!
Fearleaders: a male Austrian cheerleading squad who love roller derby!
Fearleaders: a male Austrian cheerleading squad who love roller derby!
Fearleaders: a male Austrian cheerleading squad who love roller derby!
The Audiences
Roller derby crowds have a wonderful way of making me grin, whether it’s their enthusiasm, or just their costumes…
Team Wales had a really enthusiastic audience!
An audience member from Team Austria was particularly animated!
The crowd that made me most grateful for my earplugs, however, were supporting Finland!
Team Switzerland had a cow handing out chocolate during their game.
Team Switzerland’s fans weren’t the only ones with cutout letters to support their skaters (Denmark did it too) but they probably had the most flags in one place…
I’m really not sure the origins of the “Hot + Cheesy” thing chanted by the Swiss team’s fans, and I’m a bit afraid to Google it.
The fan who won my biggest grin, though, was Ireland’s dancing potato.
Positivity
And sparkle. So much sparkle.
Roller derby will change the world
Star-spotting
Getting to see people like Scald Eagle and Stefanie Mainey skate, feet away from me = \(*ᴗ*)/
“Mainey is doing what Mainey does. Winning.” — one of the announcers.
Scald Eagle truly is an aptly-named predator.
Scald Eagle may be a champion skater, but like the rest of us, occasionally has moments with no style or grace whatsoever… it’s encouraging as it is hilarious!
Spot which skater hasn’t realised USA have just lined up Scald Eagle, with four of the opposing team’s skaters starting the jam in the box…
This Block
I didn’t see it coming, but I am so glad that I had my finger on the shutter when it did!
V-Diva on the approach; Giles hoping to escape…
V-Diva on the approach; Giles hoping to escape…
V-Diva makes contact…
…Giles goes up
…and Giles comes back down…
V-Diva goes in for Round 2, but she’s not on the track…
Somehow, Giles is still upright…
…and V-Diva gets a penalty.
Last but not least: the Officials and Volunteers!
Because without them, it wouldn’t have happened.
Referees, not just there to enforce the rules, but first by your side when you’re hurting.
So many officials! (And a few more, still officiating on one of the four tracks!)
A rare photo of NSO Pretty Miffed smiling!
The volunteers who made the event happen!
Zebroar jammer reffing for the Juniors Expo, a junior official herself!
[…] weekend’s challenge was to brave using flash. I did take my speedlite along to the Roller Derby World Cup, but whilst I lucked out and had a trigger that didn’t clash with anyone else’s, it […]
[…] me, and for photography in general – but what a year it’s been! I’ve shot for the Roller Derby World Cup, and two inaugural European tournaments: EuroCup in April, hosted by my own league, Rainy City […]
[…] weekend’s challenge was to brave using flash. I did take my speedlite along to the Roller Derby World Cup, but whilst I lucked out and had a trigger that didn’t clash with anyone else’s, it […]
[…] me, and for photography in general – but what a year it’s been! I’ve shot for the Roller Derby World Cup, and two inaugural European tournaments: EuroCup in April, hosted by my own league, Rainy City […]