2024 Winter Invictus Games [Kylaris Only | Canon | IC]

by **Lannistter** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:27 am

"Surf the Breeze”

Disappointment pervaded Salikhia as the population witnessed first-hand how Zakhar Adrikishvili's efforts were not enough to stand up to the international elite — 13th place, 114.5m (National Record), not even enough to qualify for the final round. Today, however, "The Tskhan Madman" has another chance to prove his abilities to the world. He will not be alone, as the event consists of a mixed team round — Irakli Galogre, Irina Chabukiani and Ketevan Abashidze will be his partners in this event. The jump-off is the same as the one he faced last time, the so-called "Normal Hill". The goal is clear, to relentlessly pursue an Invictus medal. As has already been proven, the competition will be far from easy, and a fairly ambitious and remotely achievable aspiration would be a Bronze. Curling has already proven not to be an option for glory, after Bochorishvili and Boki's painful defeat against Caldia by a narrow 4-6 score.

Hermes Energy is the main sponsor of this whole Salikh dream of some measly winter medal — they are quite optimistic about the upcoming events involving Ski Jumping and Scovernois Combined, which historically have been the "least bad" points of any national participation in a Winter Invictus. Some more realistic, but naturally less attractive, forecasts indicate that Salikhia should concentrate its efforts on the next edition of the competition, where the motherland should have a more serious chance thanks to more preparation beforehand. After all, five years is more significant than just one.

In recent days, the national delegation has been haunted by the cameras thanks to their improvised and sometimes rather precarious training methods, which are being used to try to perfect times and techniques that have not yet been fully refined. We are talking about a group of athletes who, if they had any Invictus experience at all, have been out of competition for about 8 long years. Many of the athletes here did not even know that they would be participating in the Winter Invictus Games a year ago, or even a few months ago…

In any case, we managed to ask a single question to the 4 members of the Ski Jumping mixed team who will be trying their luck tomorrow, flying through Scovernois winds before landing on snow — the question is "What are your expectations for today?", on reflection, we decided it should be easy to answer, but sufficiently analysable to require a bit of introspection on the part of the interviewee. Let's look at the answers:

(Zakhar Adrikishvili, convinced of his chances, with a broad smile on his face) "Today I expect nothing but glory, there is too much at stake and not even the thought of disappointing the expectations placed on me — well, on my team too, now the responsibility for the result will be collective, that's a bit more relaxing..."

(Interviewer, replying) "Relaxing...?"

(Zakhar, now speaking without so much certainty, more vaguely) "Huh, it's easier to focus on yourself when you know you have a whole team behind you, I trust the people who have been assigned under my wing completely — so yes, I'm convinced that we can make history today, it must be some weird placebo effect..."

[...]

(Irina Chabukiani, with sweat beading on her face, but a fake 'tatemae' smile) "Heeeh, that's a pretty complicated question to answer..."

(Interviewer, checking his notes) "So, you're not going to answer it...?"

(Chabukiani, with defences fully penetrated, and camera pointed at her nervous face) "Nono, uhhh, like my partner said, this is the time to make history — yeah, that... that's a good answer, hehe..."

(Interviewer, with quite friendly body language, but somewhat disappointed by the answer to his question) "It is indeed, a great answer..."

[...]

(Ketevan Abashidze, rather more lucid than her teammate) "This day will be remembered in the history books for eternity, remember my words...!"

(Interviewer, infected by the positive energy of his counterpart) "So I should be looking forward to a medal...?"

(Abashidze, showing his teeth in a warm smile) "Indeed, nothing can change our glorious destiny!"

(Interviewer, returning that smile) "That's encouraging, truly..."

[...]

(Irakli Galogre, finishing a slice of pizza from a street food stall) "Did you know that the pizza here is really, really bad…?”

(Interviewer, annoyed by that disdain) "That doesn't answer what I asked you..."

(Galogre, continuing his game) "And there's no Shemtsvarikhmali around here either, that's a pretty low point of Scovern..."

(Interviewer, almost unleashed) "Seems to me that was pretty obvious — am I going to get my damn answer...?"

(Galogre, grabbing a can of Hermes from the fridge nearest to him) "Heyhey, don't take it too seriously, better take this, a present from me — we'll spectacularly surf the breeze today, can you imagine that…?”

(Interviewer, opening the can) "I guess I needed this, thanks..."

(Galogre, as he turns away from his counterpart, but still speaking audibly) "Idiot..."

(Interviewer, while sipping Hermes) "Haaa...?”

Zakhar Adrikishvili, clutching his head as he saw that his efforts were in vain, the past event.

by **Lilitou** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 5:27 am

by **Azmara** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:40 am

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:44 am

by **Liecthenbourg** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:22 am

1 Gérôme Féret, Tiphaine Beauvau, Aurélien Boucher, Arlette Chevalier, Olivier Guillory, Clotilde Sault, Émile Bellamy, Zéphyrine Géroux (Gaullica) 100.10
2 Zou Huiqing, Shen Mei, Hou Shu, Tian Meifeng, Yan Dong, Tan Yaoting, Kang Yongrui, Yi Guang (Shangea) 99.91
3 Solarian Zadornov, Kondrati Kirsanov, Fyodor Zhikin, Valeri Mineyev, Svetla Siyanovich, Frosya Polotentseva, Maria Karppinen (Soravia) 98.99
4 Yosihiro Maeda, Naohiro Sekiguti, Osamu Kobayasi, Keisuke Tomida, Yuki Uehara, Taeko Huzita, Yuri Sekizima, Reiko Nagase (Senria) 93.58
5 Dâvi Allix, Dominic Rose, Hayden Hudson, Luke Andrews, Lillie Bell, Amayah Davis, Flo Baker, Lana Marsh (Estmere) 93.25
6 Bjarne Kofod, Filip Juul, Anton Simonsen, Keld Frank, Sigrid Samuelsen, Trine Stava-Tellefsen, Karoline Kvale, Ina Isaksen (Scovern) 91.72
7 Lucas Bernard, Mathieu Pelletier, Antoine Delisle, Simon Patel, Sarah Ducharme, Zoe Sinclair, Aisha Kim, Olivia Renaud (Cassier) 90.43
8 Stefan Usenko, Serhij Kuzmych, Viktor Vyacheslavovych, Illya Fedirovych, Tsveta Bacheva, Albena Ivova, Myroslava Yehorivna, Natalya Serhiyivna (Chistovodia) 89.76
9 Dario Benuzzi, Ugo Capovilla, Marco Giorgio Cafagna, Davide Grassini, Adrina Gurrieri, Marta Lagorio, Sofia Vescio, Marija Bukvić (Etruria) 85.67
10 Isak Carlsson, Elias Bergman, Alf Egnell, Johan Rehn, Kira Sjöström, Nathalie Drakenberg, Nora Sjöström, Daniela Lundin (Eldmark) 84.96
11 Anders Jorśsun, Siimun Hildassun-Lagarde, Niklaas Jonssun, Aleksander Hildassun-Lagarde, Karoliina Petursdohter, Alana Leifsdohter, Ana Johansdohter, Freija Karlsdohter, Sigrid Askelsdohter (Azmara) 82.94
12 Yuriy Yugashvili, Grigol Kodoshvili, Zaal Arakhamia, Valerian Barbanishvili, Yelena Dadeshkeliani, Helen Kodoshvili, Izolda Orjonikidze, Ksenia Andronikashvili (Salikhia) 76.40
13 Baek Si-Woo, Son Jun-Seo, Park Min-Jun, Park Hyun-Woo, Lee Chae-Won, Lee Eun-Seo, Kim Seo-Yeon, Choi Ji-A (Ansan) 71.46
14 Damien Van Den Borre, Joffrey Desramaux, Anthony Calleeuw, Hendrik De Smedt, Louise Vermeersch, Marissa De Waele, Charline Deramaut, Léa Depraetere (Kesselbourg) 60.20

1 Stefan Usenko, Serhij Kuzmych, Viktor Vyacheslavovych, Illya Fedirovych, Tsveta Bacheva, Albena Ivova, Myroslava Yehorivna, Natalya Serhiyivna (Chistovodia) 76.55
2 Dâvi Allix, Dominic Rose, Hayden Hudson, Luke Andrews, Lillie Bell, Amayah Davis, Flo Baker, Lana Marsh (Estmere) 74.65
3 Lucas Bernard, Mathieu Pelletier, Antoine Delisle, Simon Patel, Sarah Ducharme, Zoe Sinclair, Aisha Kim, Olivia Renaud (Cassier) 72.55
4 Yosihiro Maeda, Naohiro Sekiguti, Osamu Kobayasi, Keisuke Tomida, Yuki Uehara, Taeko Huzita, Yuri Sekizima, Reiko Nagase (Senria) 71.06
5 Dario Benuzzi, Ugo Capovilla, Marco Giorgio Cafagna, Davide Grassini, Adrina Gurrieri, Marta Lagorio, Sofia Vescio, Marija Bukvić (Etruria) 67.07
6 Bjarne Kofod, Filip Juul, Anton Simonsen, Keld Frank, Sigrid Samuelsen, Trine Stava-Tellefsen, Karoline Kvale, Ina Isaksen (Scovern) 60.96
7 Solarian Zadornov, Kondrati Kirsanov, Fyodor Zhikin, Valeri Mineyev, Svetla Siyanovich, Frosya Polotentseva, Maria Karppinen (Soravia) 60.31
8 Isak Carlsson, Elias Bergman, Alf Egnell, Johan Rehn, Kira Sjöström, Nathalie Drakenberg, Nora Sjöström, Daniela Lundin (Eldmark) 60.04
9 Yuriy Yugashvili, Grigol Kodoshvili, Zaal Arakhamia, Valerian Barbanishvili, Yelena Dadeshkeliani, Helen Kodoshvili, Izolda Orjonikidze, Ksenia Andronikashvili (Salikhia) 58.31
10 Zou Huiqing, Shen Mei, Hou Shu, Tian Meifeng, Yan Dong, Tan Yaoting, Kang Yongrui, Yi Guang (Shangea) 57.84
11 Damien Van Den Borre, Joffrey Desramaux, Anthony Calleeuw, Hendrik De Smedt, Louise Vermeersch, Marissa De Waele, Charline Deramaut, Léa Depraetere (Kesselbourg) 57.60
12 Gérôme Féret, Tiphaine Beauvau, Aurélien Boucher, Arlette Chevalier, Olivier Guillory, Clotilde Sault, Émile Bellamy, Zéphyrine Géroux (Gaullica) 52.17
13 Anders Jorśsun, Siimun Hildassun-Lagarde, Niklaas Jonssun, Aleksander Hildassun-Lagarde, Karoliina Petursdohter, Alana Leifsdohter, Ana Johansdohter, Freija Karlsdohter, Sigrid Askelsdohter (Azmara) 48.47
14 Baek Si-Woo, Son Jun-Seo, Park Min-Jun, Park Hyun-Woo, Lee Chae-Won, Lee Eun-Seo, Kim Seo-Yeon, Choi Ji-A (Ansan) 40.96]

1 Bjarne Kofod, Filip Juul, Anton Simonsen, Keld Frank, Sigrid Samuelsen, Trine Stava-Tellefsen, Karoline Kvale, Ina Isaksen (Scovern) 143.49
2 Lucas Bernard, Mathieu Pelletier, Antoine Delisle, Simon Patel, Sarah Ducharme, Zoe Sinclair, Aisha Kim, Olivia Renaud (Cassier) 138.30
3 Dario Benuzzi, Ugo Capovilla, Marco Giorgio Cafagna, Davide Grassini, Adrina Gurrieri, Marta Lagorio, Sofia Vescio, Marija Bukvić (Etruria) 136.10
4 Zou Huiqing, Shen Mei, Hou Shu, Tian Meifeng, Yan Dong, Tan Yaoting, Kang Yongrui, Yi Guang (Shangea) 127.64
5 Gérôme Féret, Tiphaine Beauvau, Aurélien Boucher, Arlette Chevalier, Olivier Guillory, Clotilde Sault, Émile Bellamy, Zéphyrine Géroux (Gaullica) 124.81
6 Stefan Usenko, Serhij Kuzmych, Viktor Vyacheslavovych, Illya Fedirovych, Tsveta Bacheva, Albena Ivova, Myroslava Yehorivna, Natalya Serhiyivna (Chistovodia) 121.87
7 Baek Si-Woo, Son Jun-Seo, Park Min-Jun, Park Hyun-Woo, Lee Chae-Won, Lee Eun-Seo, Kim Seo-Yeon, Choi Ji-A (Ansan) 114.02
8 Anders Jorśsun, Siimun Hildassun-Lagarde, Niklaas Jonssun, Aleksander Hildassun-Lagarde, Karoliina Petursdohter, Alana Leifsdohter, Ana Johansdohter, Freija Karlsdohter, Sigrid Askelsdohter (Azmara) 110.07
9 Yuriy Yugashvili, Grigol Kodoshvili, Zaal Arakhamia, Valerian Barbanishvili, Yelena Dadeshkeliani, Helen Kodoshvili, Izolda Orjonikidze, Ksenia Andronikashvili (Salikhia) 104.16
10 Solarian Zadornov, Kondrati Kirsanov, Fyodor Zhikin, Valeri Mineyev, Svetla Siyanovich, Frosya Polotentseva, Maria Karppinen (Soravia) 101.24
11 Yosihiro Maeda, Naohiro Sekiguti, Osamu Kobayasi, Keisuke Tomida, Yuki Uehara, Taeko Huzita, Yuri Sekizima, Reiko Nagase (Senria) 98.14
12 Isak Carlsson, Elias Bergman, Alf Egnell, Johan Rehn, Kira Sjöström, Nathalie Drakenberg, Nora Sjöström, Daniela Lundin (Eldmark) 97.15
13 Dâvi Allix, Dominic Rose, Hayden Hudson, Luke Andrews, Lillie Bell, Amayah Davis, Flo Baker, Lana Marsh (Estmere) 96.76
14 Damien Van Den Borre, Joffrey Desramaux, Anthony Calleeuw, Hendrik De Smedt, Louise Vermeersch, Marissa De Waele, Charline Deramaut, Léa Depraetere (Kesselbourg) 87.88

by **Mahayala** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:01 pm

by **Lilitou** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:22 pm

by **Liecthenbourg** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:43 pm

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 4:01 pm

IMAGUA REELS FROM DISAPPOINTING RESULTS
All hopes lie on Winton Stepney for the men's 20 kilometre individual biathlon event

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BETTY MOWAT (@BettyMowat)
18 FEBRUARY, 2024 15:25 IST | RIMSO, SCOVERN

View of Revnettind Extreme Park in Nordfolden (file photo)

Following Imagua's last place finish in the mixed biathlon relay, and its fourteenth place finish at the women's individual fifteen kilometre event, many Imaguan fans have expressed disappointment at Imagua's "abysmal performance" in the biathlon events that Imagua is competing in so far.

"I am very disappointed at how badly we're doing," an Imaguan fan in Nordfolden who refused to give us their name said. "Last place in the mixed relay; fourteenth place in the individual women's fifteen kilometre, we are not doing so well."

"I hope that Mr. Stepney can redeem us here," he added, "because in 2020, we were on the cusp of getting onto the podium and getting our first medal at a Winter Invictus Games."

Similar sentiments have been heard not just in Nordfolden, but on social media and back home, with many Imaguans expressing "major disappointment" in their team's performance this year, with one viral chirp urging the Imaguan Invictus Committee to fire Coach Isiah Lacruse receiving thousands of retweets and tens of thousands of likes.

Despite growing criticism of Imagua's performance in the 2024 Winter Invictus Games, Coach Lacruse defended himself at a press conference after Ottery's fourteenth place finish outside the Revnettind Extreme Park where cross-country skiing and biathlon events are being held this Winter Invictus.

"Of course we are disappointed that our Imaguan biathletes have not been doing well so far this Invictus Games," Lacruse said. "I'm just as disappointed as you are that the Imaguans haven't been doing well."

"However, our results have been improving since we first arrived in Nordfolden," Lacruse said. "At the mixed six kilometre relay, we placed last place, thirteen seconds behind the Bistravians, who have ample experience with winter conditions that we Imaguans don't usually have."

"But today? Ms. Ottery placed fourteenth," Lacruse declared. "We may have been nearly forty seconds behind Scovernois biathlete Mrs. Ludvigsen, but we were exactly forty-four seconds ahead of Champanian biathlete Mrs. Dòrmergue, and nearly fourty-five seconds ahead of Rizean biathlete Mrs. Almgren, and four places ahead of the East Miersan biathlete Mrs. Stralkowska, who finished two minutes and forty-two seconds behind us."

"We are getting better and better as we've gotten used to Scovern," Lacruse added, "and Mr. Stepney and the rest of our delegation have been working tirelessly to improve our skills in the biathlon so that as we compete in the men's twenty kilometre individual tomorrow; in the women's 7.5 km sprint on the Lord's Day; on the men's 10 km sprint the day after; the pursuits the day after; the relays on the 29th and the 1st, and the mass starts on the final Sunday of the games, we will have a chance at winning our first winter medal in Imaguan history."

"So tomorrow, I can confidently say that we will shock the world just like we did last year in the Coupe du Monde," Lacruse declared.

Following his speech, Isiah Lacruse was asked by the Gazetta di San Pietro about that viral chirp demanding that the Imaguan Invictus Committee fire him.

"I have spoken with the Committee back in Cuanstad, and they have their full confidence in me," Lacruse said. "I will be staying on, as coach, well past the end of these games, because chaos and instability is worse for our athletes, even if some in the peanut gallery think I am a bad coach."

A report from the Cuanstad Sentinel asked Lacruse if he would consider resigning if Imagua failed to medal in any event during the Winter Invictus games.

"Absolutely not," Lacruse declared. "Full stop, end of story."

For more live coverage of the 2024 Invictus Games in Rimso-Nordfolden, tune in to its one or its due, or watch live coverage online here!

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by **Cassier** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:25 pm

by **Imperii Ecclesia** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:48 pm

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 8:05 pm

by **Ainin** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:43 am

by **Eskaeba** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:53 am

by **Liecthenbourg** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:05 pm

by **Norcandy** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:17 pm

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:01 pm

by **Poshyte** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:36 pm

by **Liecthenbourg** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:55 pm

by **Liecthenbourg** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 3:10 pm

by **Deblar** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:45 pm

by **Lannistter** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:38 pm

“Born Hunter”

The silver medal win in the Ski Jumping mixed team event (only variant, normal hill) on 21 February has meant a major paradigm shift within the national delegation — now the mindset is no longer to "avoid embarrassment" but rather to "disprove every conceivable prediction", which means we are likely to see a far more offensive attitude in the medal hunt.

Zakhar Adrikishvili, in that sense, is a shark, a born hunter, who has already smelled blood. His participation in tomorrow's Scovernois Combined (Normal hill/10km) event, simply by being announced, has attracted a wide range of audiences — Hermes Energy has reported "Extraordinary, never-before-seen" sales numbers this month, while the event's share of television airtime in Salikh land peaked at 82/100 points yesterday, the highest ever recorded since the late 1990s.

But you and I know that all this data is only - in case it is - minimally relevant — so it's time to move on to the words of tomorrow's protagonist, Zakhar, who was interviewed a few hours ago at a press conference:

(Porthos Auger - “Le Monde”, while reading a small greasy napkin remarked with a toothpick) "When did all this skiing dream start?"

(Adrikishvili, laughing thanks to his peculiar memory) "Hehe, some years ago, together with my schoolmates we used to go to the village mountain with some wooden planks carved by ourselves, the loser had to climb back up with skis on — only once I lost, from that point on I was the fastest, I was no more than 10 years old at that time, it's such a nice story…"

(Auger, having expected a much shorter answer, with no space on his napkin) "Huh, well, I couldn't write that down — then where did the idea of Ski Jumping come from...?”

(Adrikishvili, still with a distinct smile on his face) "My grandmother saw that I quite liked those mountain jumping things, she took her car, an old Lada Laika, and drove me to Soravia one winter, there was a youth event on a 30m hill, I jumped 31.81m, first place on that occasion — by the time I landed I had decided my future, I wanted to make a living out of it!"

(Auger, noting on his jacket sleeve seeing that his napkin has let him down) "So, love at first sight, that's really romantic — any words regarding tomorrow, a prediction or something...?"

(Adrikishvili, broadening his smile to a somewhat mischievous range) "You see, I'm like Functionalism, it takes several people to stop me, so I'm tasting that damn gold..."

(Auger, dropping his toothpick-pencil and looking Zakhar straight in the eye) "That's... timely — Duclerque must be proud of that mention, of you, glory to Mother Gaullica, sir!"

The room falls silent, it's the turn of the next journalist, no one wants to step forward, except...

(Magdaleina Andersdohter - “Aalmsted Herald”, sorting out the thoughts in her head while ignoring those 'neofunctionalist vibes') "Hey, I have a question too, how did it feel to win that silver medal...?”

(Zakhar, usually long-winded, giving a rather short answer) "A one of a kind moment, the highlight of my life, for now... I emphasise that last phrase — for now!"

A young girl in a tight bikini - she must be scovernois, I guess? - enters the press room with a cooler full of Hermes cans. Apparently that's part of the campaign, good ol' capitalism…!

(Andersdohter, taking a few seconds to analyse the taste of that somewhat mysterious western invention, completely frozen) "Huhhh, it's refreshing, while it's a few degrees below zero outside, cold on cold, interesting combination I must say, worthy of a 'Winter Games' — but I have another question, what would you say to the children who want to follow your example...?

(Zakhar, returning to his trademark grin, as he arranges the can he's just been handed) "Something like 'don't jump off a cliff on skis', I did, didn't end too well, heh…”

As Adrikishvili takes a sip from the can while being focused on by the cameras, Andersdohter prepares another question, but she’s too slow...

(Camille Chamoun - “Le Fédéraliste”, taking advantage of her quick-wittedness) "So that's where your nickname comes from?"

(Adrikishvili, surprised by that good question, for which he has the perfect answer anyway) "Something like that, it has a curious backstory...'

(Chamoun, turning on her audio recorder hidden in her left breast pocket) "I wanna hear it.”

Those words were accompanied by a tone of genuine interest and a warm feminine smile, Zakhar simply has no choice but to begin his tale.

(Adrikishvili, articulating his memories as he speaks) "It's from a while ago... [small pause, another long sip from the can] yeah, a while ago, like in my sixteen, seventeen years, I used to upload videos to YouTube with the nickname 'Aviadri', huhhhhh... I had a camera on my helmet and with it I recorded some of my amateur jumps and skiing tips, I can say that some of my best marks are recorded there..."

Chamoun and all present are silent, as if inviting the story to continue.

(Adrikishvili, much more lucid after that short pause) "... one day, an old landowner managed to get in touch with me, he put together a ramp on the edge of a hill, about ten cars side by side, and some wooden bleachers so he could invite the whole village, he told me that if I managed to jump all ten without dying in the attempt, he would give me 50,000 Euclos — not only did I meet the challenge, but I did a fucking backflip in front of everyone's eyes, that video went viral for a few months, and the nickname 'The Tskhan Madman' prevailed..."

(Chamoun, enjoying the story, but with an unresolved doubt) "And what did you do with the money...?”

(Adrikishvili, with a 'remember good times' face) "My God, that money was crucial in my career, thanks to it I was able to get decent equipment, a professional camera, a car, I could even rent my first flat, ha!"

(Chamoun, insatiable) "And you're still uploading videos...?”

(Adrikishvili, whose smile now has an ear-to-ear spread) "Indeed, I'd like to be able to record the events here from my perspective, but that's not possible, fuck the Comitee..."

(Chamoun, naturally mischievous) "Then, I can conclude that your legs are more functional than your brain, haha..."

(Adrikishvili, who is definitely not easy to offend, still smiling, throwing his can to the audience in slight protest) "I might take the bait, but I'll answer that 'yes, of course that's the case, my legs have never broken!' — now, no more questions, so much talk about jumping made me want to practice some... see you tomorrow on the podium, bastards!"

In my opinion, this guy, Zakhar, is quite an eloquent, almost fictional character, or don't you agree with me?

Above: Zakhar Adrikishvili, after his new national record jump of 133.5m.

by **Imperii Ecclesia** » Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:53 pm

SPORT: CURLING TEAM MAKES IT TO FINALS
The remarkable story of the Asolariani pair shocking the curling world at the Invictus games.

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CYRIAC APETRI (@cyriacapetri)
^{22nd FEBRUARY 2023 20:22 | RISMO, SCOVERN}

Lacrimiara Asolariani prepares a shot in her match against the favoured Caldish team.
Photo courtesy of Theodos Avasilei.

RISMO, SCOVERN-

The Winter Invictus have rarely been Tengaria's strongest performances. Due to its climate and positioning, winter sports are only possible in the northern hills and mountains, and the most prominent sports historically for Tengaria have included cross-country skiing and biathlon. However, in recent decades, a newer sport has emerged in the Tengarian winter athletics scene- curling. A game about strategic placement of stones on ice, it has traditionally been dominated by such powers as Caldia, Scovern, and Cassier, as have many other Winter Invictus sports.

However, Tengaria's mixed-doubles curling team has broken through the gatekeeping of the old powers with a remarkable run at the 2024 Winter Invictus Games in Rismo. Only comprised of two members- husband and wife Theodos and Lacrimiara Asolariani- have shown the world that Tengaria once again can do the impossible, especially at an event so packed with old powers.

After losing to Cassier in their first match on the 17th, they managed to secure a spot in the quarter-finals by dominating Eldmark's team on the 18th by a margin of 11–5. This impressive achievement allowed them to beat out both Werania and Gaullica in the point differentials (with a positive 4+ differential), being the only team to successfully make it into the quarter-finals with only one victory.

However, they were seeded 8th, set to face off against the number 1-seeded Caldish team, led by Lorcan Ó Cearbhaill and Eabha Ní Lorcáin. They were expected to lose to the experienced and prestigious team. However, despite a close game and the Caldish nearly pulling through, the Tengarian team pushed forward to beat them 8-7, securing a spot at the semi-finals and taking them far closer to their dream of a medal.

However, they were not out of the clear yet. Although many commentators were stunned by the upset, the Tengarian team had to face off against Cassier's team once more- a team they had already lost to in the preliminaries. Surely, most assumed, the underdog's luck had run out. Cassier would make a clean sweep and make their way on to the finals round. However, their expectations were foiled when the Asolariani team fought back and snatched yet another 8-7 victory against a team clearly projected to win- not just doing the impossible once, but twice.

"You could feel that not many people expected us to win. Theodos and I had to prove them wrong," commented Lacrimiara on the game. "We gave it our best effort, and I am pleased with the results. Of course, it's such an honor to be able to compete on this global level. Showing the world what we are capable of is a fantastic feeling."

So who are these new rising stars? Theodos and Lacrimiara Asolariani, aged 28 and 26 respectively, were born and lived in the city of Visnagrad, Visoclesia. Both started at curling from a young age, and first met at a curling club while they were attending Rethor. While continuing to pursue curling and with eventual aspirations of making it to the Invictus Games, they married in 2020. After hard work and success in the Tengarian curling scene, they were selected for the country's Invictus Team for this Invictus.

"Although Tengaria has been sending curling athletes for some time, we've never quite managed to secure a medal," commented Theodos. "Now that we are guaranteed a spot on the podium, this has become a momentous occasion for not just us, but our whole country. I'm so happy of the work we have done, and I hope we can get a gold medal. Io Tengaria!"

So, what next? Now, Tengaria is set to play in the finals against Soravia, led by Demian Veselovsky and Maya Kutuzova. If they win, the will win the gold medal- and if they lose, they will still receive a silver medal, marking the first medal Tengaria would have won in the sport. Many fans are excited to watch the match tomorrow- can the Asolariani triumph, and do the impossible yet again? The world has yet to see.

Cyriac Apetri is the Novini's chief correspondent on winter sports and Winter Invictus events, and a former Invictus biathlete who participated in the 1996 Games in Alsland.

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2024 Winter Invictus Games [Kylaris Only | Canon | IC]

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