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Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Prize Money
35 comments:
- footfeathers said...
Again, Geoff, you solidify why your blog is one of the few I look forward to reading. Your posts are honest, well thought out, and interesting.
Yours is the perspective of a front runner, obviously. My own feelings (as a regular guy who could never entertain the thought of winning prize money) are more mainstream, I think. Prize money will typically draw maybe 10-20 folks to a race with 300 participants. Working with established race directors, I tried prize money with them on some of their events both new and long-existing. The result was that we'd get about the same number of people registering yet there'd be maybe 5 "elites" show up, run a new course record, win some money, and be in their car driving home before 80% of the other participants even finished.
From my mundane ability perspective, I couldn't care less whether there's prize money at a race. It gives me zero motivation to enter a particular event. I'm clearly not speaking for all non-elite athletes like myself but I'm guessing if you asked 1,000 of them, maybe 1% would say prize money affects their decision making on participation in races.
I've done informal surveys of participants (mostly on the East coast) to determine what makes them choose one event over another. Prize money is consistently at the bottom of the list. Geography, date, course, reputation, etc. carry the most weight from what I've observed.
That being said, I'm a fan of ultrarunning and am thankful to know top ultrarunners merely by proximity like you and Mackey. From a fan's perspective, prize money is exciting.
Looking forward to following your success again in 2011.
Tim - December 22, 2010 at 3:59 AM
- Jeff said...
Geoff, I think you're missing the potential dark side to prize money: cheating. Most races don't have the means to do drug testing or have course officials out at every juncture where a shortcut could be taken or aid provided could be provided illegally (some races don't allow pacers to carry water or food for a participant). Having to police 50-100 miles of trails would keep even some of what are currently the top races (that I think will continue to be top races) from awarding big money to the winners.
That being said, I think the number of races that provide prize money will grow, in that companies like the North Face will see the benefits of sponsoring and instantly competitive race, but I would expect that the number would be few and isolated geographically from one another. - December 22, 2010 at 4:29 AM
- BrotherRunner said...
In the end as you stated, standing on the line running for the shear joy of good competition is what it's all about. Will money,power and status corrupt some individuals? Yes. Is that your responsibility? No.
It really comes down to if you love to run then run. Ignore all the rest. If you win money so be it. I would take it. All of us need an income of some sort. But if the income is your driving force to run then you have lost the art of running and become the slave to running.
Always run free for it's a blessing to your soul and others.
Happy Holidays Geoff, your running and spirit are a true blessing to me.
From the rolling hills of southern Pa,
Jess - December 22, 2010 at 4:30 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if some races start popping up with some real prize money. The problem I see is that these races will not allow "average joes" to enter. You will have to be sponsored or have won another race just to get in. This will take away one of the great things about ultrarunning; being able to toe up to the starting line with the best ultra runners in the world (even if you're just watching them fade into the distance ahead). Of course, I'm not worried about prize money, so my opinions are naturally going to differ a little. Enjoy Alaska!
- December 22, 2010 at 5:26 AM
- Martin GAFFURI said...
Thnaks for bringing out this very interesting point.
I was lucky enough to discuss this topic with Tony K., Rickey G. and Scott J. at a Brooks party during the OR show, this past summer.
We didn't go that far into details but they agreed that prize money was a good thing to allow elite athlete to live off of their passion. Very respectable thought.
I'm just very happy that Jeff brought up the doping issue, that shall most likely increase accordingly.
There is a proposal that I have talked some brands into already but with very limited succes. Here is my 2 cents vision:
Running brands like TNF, Salomon, Montrail, Brooks, etc. have budgets to throw cash for some race's prize money, we all agree that this won't affect the quality of the race since none of this money will be used to improve it. So if they don't put this money, the race itself won't be affected, and people will chose to go to this race for what it is.
So where should the brand put this money ?
I do understand that elite athletes deserve like in any other sport, to fully dedicate themselves to training.
So why can't brands pay their athletes to live a decent life. After committing to some specific races where the sponsor brand has an interest, the elite athlete will be free to race wherever they want, not having to chase price moneys.
This might not be the best solution, but at least it will take the money issue off the races, thus doping and wrong race appeal. - December 22, 2010 at 5:36 AM
Excellent write up Geoff. I agree with most of what you've said here. I don't think prize money is bad. People with extraordinary abilities in areas that are impactful and important to others shouldn't be looked down upon for receiving compensation. Gifted individuals the world over are financially rewarded for their abilities and hard work. Athletes shouldn't be any different. I don't think prize money necessarily lessens the passion they have for what they do. It certainly can and does on occasion, but usually when someone looses the desire to be their best, their results suffer.
Cheating will certainly become more of an issue.
Events that offer the big bucks should also invest in keeping scoundrels in check. - December 22, 2010 at 5:49 AM
- KovasP said...
Interesting that, as more money enters the sport, more fat-ass events are being created as well.
- December 22, 2010 at 6:13 AM
Interesting post, I was just thinking about this topic two days ago. I saw an ad in Ultrunning Magazine for a new 100 miler in 2011. This race had prize money and a bonus of a couple grand to the first person to finish under 24 hours. I wonder if this will have any affect on the numbers for an inaugeral race. Time will tell how it all works out and it will be interesting to see.
Chris - December 22, 2010 at 6:24 AM
- don said...
Ironically, while North Face ups the ante for elite racers they have cut back for age groupers. What I mean by that is that 4 years ago they gave out prizes/swag/ribbons to each of the top 3 people in each age category. Now they only recognize the 1st place winners in each category. So while the race entry fees keep going up each year it seems that only the elite runners are benefiting. Please don't get me wrong, I have competed at 8 North Face races and they are always very well run events. My point is that they have minimized their costs by eliminating age group awards in favour of funding the elite racers. And who can blame them? The elite racers bring the media attention.
- December 22, 2010 at 6:56 AM
- Unknown said...
Great writeup! And a great perspective from someone who actually can consider themselves "in the money" at nearly every race he runs. Personally, I think prize money is needed for certain events, but not all events. I really think top races like Western States, White River 50M, Ice Age 50M, MiWok, Bull Run Run, Leadville, etc. should have some sort of prize money offered. But by no means should the average runner be shut out of any race, when really they are the ones who are just as passionate about this sport. The average runners support this sport just as much as anyone out there. Again, the top tier runners do need $$$ to keep things exciting.
- December 22, 2010 at 7:04 AM
Great post. It should be interesting to see where ultras go in the next several years. So many factors at play- we just hope that the changes are for the better for those who truly love this sport.
- December 22, 2010 at 7:09 AM
- Phil said...
It's really cool to see where you're at in ultrarunning. Prize money may not bring me to any ultra run but it certainly has me glued to the computer during those events. Very addicting to "watch". As for cheating, well that seems to crop up prize money or none.
- December 22, 2010 at 8:46 AM
- Eric@URP said...
Great discussion.
Jeff's point on cheating is quite germane, but I think an underlying fear that's not being discussed is the East African factor.
I love watching road races and am in constant awe of the Ethiopians and Kenyans, but I've got a feeling once they are drawn to ultra events and start dominating those, many in the ultra/trail community will take issue.
I'm not implying that there would be any racial motivations behind it, but right now we have our own little world where many people know each other, drink beer together after, and speak the same language, both literally and proverbially, and that would all change.
I say bring it on. I'd prefer to watch the best of the best duke it out, but it would certainly change the sport. - December 22, 2010 at 9:12 AM
- Guido Gallenkamp said...
Please link this at yout twitter account. I'd like to read more!
- December 22, 2010 at 9:28 AM
- Patrick Thurber said...
this whole topic reminds me SO MUCH of growing up skateboarding. there was all this heat surrounding the X-games and money in skateboarding and, in the end, it has turned out to be a great thing.
the principal reason it's turned out well is that, like skateboarding, ultrarunning is a participant's sport. even all of us who dorked out watching a twitter feed of the TNF race are still also ultrarunners ourselves. so yeah, big shoe/clothing companies ought to start ponying up some cash for the elite runners that bring credentials and sales to their products. for the rest of us? well, i'll just keep running. i ran before i knew what a running race was and i'll run long after the ultrarunning bubble has grown, popped, gone back to grassroots and then began to grow again (believe me it will, skateboarding goes through it about ever 15 years, once the cycle started back in the 80's)
the income class issue is moot, frankly. for every absurd western states entry fee, there'll be a race that's <$100. we've got a nice 100 miler over here in MI that's $80 as i recall. bands, camping, food included.
anyway, long story short. get paid, man. get paid. - December 22, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Elites living of their passion and then what? Here comes the doping or are they already.
- December 22, 2010 at 10:52 AM
- Jason Schlarb said...
3 Ideas!
Prize $$, as Geoff and others have said, brings the top runners across the US and abroad, but it also has an invaluable effect on "future" or potential top Ultra runners.
Here are what I believe to be 3 things that could further "grow" Ultra running to be more competitive:
1) More events with $$, sponsorship and team opportunities
2) A SMALL (10-15%) reserve of entries for elites… just like big marathons. Just allowing winners or top ten finishers from years past stifles competition and growth.
And MOST important:
3) US championship races that are truly THE events to win in the US.
USATF Trail Ultra Championships are too diluted and numerous to foster great competition and excitement… 50K, 50M, 100K, 100M = way too many events for such a small community... and it shows!
- Drop the 50K distance, which would be considered "long trail racing" (25K and Marathon)
-Drop the 100K as it is only 12 miles different than the 50 mile
-50 Mile and 100 Mile USATF Trail Championships
These changes would further entice big name sponsors and races to compete to host the 2 Championship races. - December 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM
- Unknown said...
I love cycling as well as running, and would pay every weekend to watch a good crit - or buy a channel that carried a crit league. Unfortunately the audience is too small.
The ultra audience is barely a sliver of the cycling audience.
Even worse for ultra, is we (I'm using the collective very loosely - 20 miles is ultra to me these days) use less PRODUCT. Sponsorship opportunity is limited to a few supplements, a few clothing lines, and a dozen shoe companies - of which they would want some sort of exclusivity agreement.
I think its going to take an organized group of leaders in the sport, such as yourself, to meet with companies that could be Charter leaders in establishing the growth. Companies like NF, REI, SHOE, gatorpowerade, Garmin, etc., and take them some loose plans, and see what you can get in commitments.
I think for the next few years you'll have to go old school golf - the prize money comes directly from the entry fee pool. If WS is $400, make it $500 with an award split.
Great topic to launch, though. Thanks for your blog - love it - I check in every day.
Here's a thought.... Set up a "Support Geoff" paypal link where we can chip you off a Jackson on occasion.
Merry Christmas - December 22, 2010 at 11:24 AM
- Kieran McCarthy said...
I like P.'s point. Get paid. You're too good at what you do to spend your time having to focus on anything else.
It's not an accident that the only well-paid athlete in the sport is a former corporate marketer (Mr. Karnazes). There's money to be made in promoting this sport, it's a question of how and who gets a slice of the pie. - December 22, 2010 at 11:26 AM
- Will Cooper said...
the one thing that has kept our sport clean is the LACK of money...its also the one thing that has kept the worlds greatest marathoners from focusing on ultra running. I kind of like it where it is.
- December 22, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Did I read you are not motivated by prize money, but by competition. But the competition is motivated by prize money?
Have you ever entertained a 24 hour race?
I know Scott said it was not good for his soul - But I would love to see the best Team USA as possible at Worlds.
Michael - December 22, 2010 at 1:55 PM
- keirahenninger said...
Such a great post..wow! I myself am a race director that gives away some decent bucks at one of my races(http://leonadivide5050.com). I am 100% in support of this. Leona is not to expensive, the money is put up by my sponsors, and I guarantee you won't find a more supported organized race around..ok maybe Tia's Miwok(love ya T!!) Ultra running is hands down the toughest sport there is. It's a complete lifestyle, and we work our asses off to compete well in this sport. Ask Tiger Woods if he would play golf for free. As our sport starts moving through generations there is going to be some dislike towards this, but you can't please all the people all the time. Ultra's used to be thrown together by a cheap entry fee, and a few aid stations with crackers, gatorade, and maybe some gels. The sport is making a drastic change, and thats because the runners have changed drastically. We are a younger generation, and most have no problem paying 100$ to run a 50mile race that is organized well, and worth there buck. If a small portion of there entry fee goes to the winners I believe most won't care. Every other sport offers money to elite athletes, and I believe it's about time Ultra running does. In my opinion it will not change the dynamics of the sport. We are a family unit made up of many smaller family units. I spent the day with 8 of my closest friends running in the mountains, and these are the same friends I spent the other night at a Christmas Party with, and some I will spend Christmas eve and day with. We have a bond between us in my opinion that is unbreakable, and it is the best sport ever to be apart of!! A little prize money for elites isn't gonna change things to much...but sometimes change is a good thing!! This sport needs a little improvement, and we can't all be to afraid to leave room for change!!
Just sayin... - December 22, 2010 at 2:52 PM
- Geoff said...
a few responses starting at the top:
tim, i think you are mostly right with your points but i do believe there is more a trickle down effect from having 10-20 elites in a race than you are recognizing. people want to race against runners who are generally a little bit faster than them and push themselves to try to stay with them. this is how we improve the easiest - running with people who are a bit faster than us. 15 elites in a race might draw in 15 2nd level runners hoping to stay with the elites. then those 30 make the race more appealing to those in line just below that. by this point it isn't the prize money that's drawing people in but the competition that the prize money draws in at the top. maybe you aren't as drawn to this as some, but there were more than a few runners who i think of as being very similar to you in past performances who were there just to be a part of race where they might be trying to chase down 20 runners instead of the 1 or 2 at a typical ultra.
Atticus, I really don't see races getting to the point of not letting "average joes" in. The NF 50 is the largest purse and my dead grandma could get in as long as she sends them the $90.
Kovas, exactly. as you have more "big money" races you will get a response to that of more totally low key, "fat ass" races. to me these are both good trends.
Chris, The race you're talking about has gotten my interest. partly for the potentail payday but much more for the likelihood that it could be a very competitive 100 miler in it's first running. we'll see.
don, I don't see this as a trend that would be likely to occur across the board but rather just something lame that north face has done with their specific event. they've also cut back the awards they give to the top 3 who are earning prize money. i don't even know if this has been a planned decision or just an oversight.
eric, the east african point could be another post just as long as this post. personally i would love to see some of the top marathon runners in the world try their hand at rugged ultras. some would excel. some would get their asses handed to them. i hope i get to see it in the next few years. it aint gonna happen without the prize money though.
P, interesting analogy about the skateboarding.
Ronald, I did a "support geoff" type thing a couple years back. not a direction i want to go again.
keira, well said. this makes me even more interested in running Leona Divide than I already was.
and everyone concerned about drug use: I think this is a valid concern, but one that is hard for me to worry too much about as i know that i would never dope, regardless of how much prize money there was. i think most people fall into this category. yeah, it's a bit sad and frustrating to think about people doping in these events, but someone else doing so doesn't really change the experience of racing for me. to me not offering prize money because you are worried about cheaters is a fear based decision something like not getting married because you're afraid to get divorced, or not running because you are afraid to get injured. at some point you need to just move forward, even if there are risks. - December 22, 2010 at 4:57 PM
- Ben Nephew said...
I don't think prize money is going to force out the average ultrarunner from any races.
I think the opposite problem is currently more of an issue: top runners not being able to get into races. Whether or not there is prize money, many popular races fill up months ahead of time. While it may be possible to sneak in if you are fast, some people don't know this, or don't know who to contact. If races want to have the most competitive fields possible, they should set aside a handful of spots for top runners, and state this up front in the race description.
Although many seem to see the NF races as some sort of elite event, I think that these events have done more for trail running at the grassroots level than the elite level. I'm pretty sure the current 2 day festivals are some of the biggest trail events in each respective region. The recent lack of age group awards is probably due to NF added another 6 races. The prize money is a small percentage of the cost of putting on such a large event. San Fran may be an exception, but I'm sure Hawkeye makes some money.
Giving money to the athletes will not prevent doping. They will be dope to get contracts, instead of win races.
The rationale for larger purses is advertising. Why are we all talking about NF, because they sponsor Lizzy Hawker? Large purses bring in all sorts of top quality competition, and then that race generates top quality publicity for the sponsor who provided the funds. I doubt the trend for increased prize money will lead to increased race fees. Races will either get sponsors to donate money for the purses, or keep the event small, as Geoff has noted. Big city marathons have not quite killed off local marathons as far as I can tell.
In addition to reserving entries for an elite field, Jason S. has another good point about the USATF races. Increased prize money has the most potential to increase competition by increasing international competition. In almost all other sports, this is done through national and international sports federations. I'd like to see USATF actively pursue the most competitive races and name these events as national championships. - December 22, 2010 at 8:30 PM
- Chris Ⓥ said...
I have two worries about increasing prize money at ultras--there will be pressure to increase registration fees and there will be increased pressure to perform well (meaning more cheating and drug use). With no money, we all line up and take a fair stab at winning or doing well in our age group--I help others if they need it, they help me, no one REALLY feels pressured to compete in a cut-throat manner. And, with a few exceptions, fees are generally reasonable. More money may spoil our grass roots ultras. I do not look forward to paying more to race. I'll never win a race. It would be cool to run next to elite runners--but that doesn't draw me to a race. I want a nice course with good race organization. That's all.
- December 23, 2010 at 6:20 AM
- Michael Owen said...
With prize money being introduced into ultra-running, how long will it be until elite marathoners (around 2:10) start running ultra's? And this isn't eluding to the current elite marathoners. I wonder if people from other countries (Kenya for example) will be pushing the young toward ultra running, as some do now toward marathoning.
Then I wonder what the connection is between the current elite marathoners compared to the current elite ultra-runners. It is evident that something like 50 miles or 100 miles is in such a different realm than 26.2 miles, but what effect would that have on the elite marathoners?
Can a 2:10 marathoner, with the proper training, be head over heels better than the current elite ultra-runners? Or, with the added 25 or more miles, does it lessen the gap? Because, I would think all of the elite ultra-runners (besides Uli in his prime) would even admit to not being able to run a 2:10 marathon, even with high intensity training (I don't think I could at least).
Its interesting to thinkk about things like this. I bet we will start seeing it within the next decade. - December 23, 2010 at 8:33 AM
- Michael Alfred said...
Geoff, this is something I've thought about a lot in the last couple years. There are potential analogies from other sports like surfing that went from super niche in the 60s and 70s to more mainstream today despite the fact that most of the world's population does not have access to surfable waves. I think television would have to be a component of larger and larger prize pools and I've already thought about how you might employ remote controlled helicopter cameras to capture some of the previously unseen action at the front in a race like Western States. Someone will crack this eventually and I agree that ultimately prize money will become a bigger part of ultramarathoning and the trend is probably irreversible.
- December 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM
- Speedgoat Karl said...
Great post again Geoff, you keep leading the way in great topics!
I think it's great to see prize money, let the elite athletes live off their passion. I, too have done all I can to live off the sport. It's been tough, but I"m fortunate to be surviving. If Marathoners can do it, why not Ultrarunners. I don't think the regular joe runner is losing anything because there are a bunch of fast guys in the front racing for some dinero. Big deal, the race is the same no matter where we are in the field, whether we race the cutoffs or to win, it's all the same.
Prize money makes it more entertaining for the fast runners.
I'm trying to get the Speedgoat 50k as one of the top prizes in the sport, yah, it's only 500 bucks and 500 for a record, but it comes out of my pocket directly. If sponsors kick in some cash, we'll have a great race, some great competition, and I would bet most of these fast guys would hang around and have some brews and watch the rest of the pack come in hammered.
Prize money is good....period. If I were only younger.... - December 24, 2010 at 4:49 AM
Anyone that tries to minimalize the impact of prize money and commercialization of the sport has not been paying attention to other sports.
Geoff is accurate about the competitive aspect of the sport. Great athletes will find their way to these great competitive events and that is no doubt a good thing for running.
In the end, it is the athletes that are exploited. Look at Golf, Tennis, and other individual sports. No one will be able to convince me that any other sport is different.
That being said, I am not a "front runner" either. The great thing about that is that I will always be able to find obscure events and enjoy just being able to go out and enjoy running. As a leader in the sport, Geoff is confronted more directly with these issues and the conflicts that arise from them. The great thing about the sport of ultra is that it has great role models.
One thing is for sure, however. Once money is involved things will never be the same. - December 24, 2010 at 5:07 AM
- Matt Davies said...
I certainly don't have the answers but believe we do need to continue to ask the right questions and come up with solutions that will protect the integrity of the sport. Right now we have a sport where respect and concern for one another along with sportsmanship are held in high regard.
In order to be proactive and in order to avoid the mistakes that other sports have experienced, i.e. cycling where even recently the masters div. has been found doping, what needs to happen now as somewhat significant amounts of money are being introduced? - December 24, 2010 at 8:22 AM
There is something beyond competition, beyond racing, even beyond running involved in trekking through the mountains for 20, 30, or 40 hours at a time. Without sounding too cheezey it seems like there is something spiritual or "overcoming" involved in ultras that push us past our everyday limits and force us to discover ourselves . . . that does not mean the elites shouldn't be able to win prize money and ideally make a living off the sport, but I do worry that increased "money" will negatively effect the overall sense of the sport. I hope the trails and the distances run will always be able to create the magic they so often create today, but as people we feed off of one another not only in terms of competition but also in terms of shared experience. Whenever money/corporations become involved in shaping the experience of the community (in this case the running community) there is a real danger that the spirit will be lost or changed . . . I hope Karl is right, I hope the elites will hang out after races and drink a few beers watching the rest of us limp in to the finish; however, if things become too serious we may find that the elites themselves will be of a different kind altogether and this will change the experience in what I fear might be less than positive ways.
- December 25, 2010 at 8:12 PM
- Wyatt Hornsby said...
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- December 29, 2010 at 1:35 PM
- Wyatt Hornsby said...
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- December 29, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Greetings from England.
You say you don't see the East Africans coming in to trial ultras without prize money.
You may be right, but I'm sure we all thought the same about mountain running.
In the last few years, they have started to make an appearance, maybe enticed by the fact that the old "World Trophy" finally was upgraded by the IAAF to a fomal Championship. Now you see Ugandans and Eritreans coming to run and winning titles and medals.
Also, there is now a Commonwealth Mountain Running and Ultra Championship, held for the first time in 2009 in Keswick in England and due again in 2011 in Llanberis in Snowdonia, North Wales. As well as mountain races (dominated in 2009 by a very decent Kenyan) there is a 24 hour race and a 100K race. So these guys are starting to experience these much longer distances (as well as the mountain environment) in this format.
Again, no cash avaialable, just titles and medals.
This may well act as bridge for the East Africans; only time will tell.
Happy New Year.
Morgan Williams - December 30, 2010 at 7:05 AM
money will only lure the elite african distance runners into top ultras thats for sure. but, many bloggers seem to think they wouldnt be competitive in the TOUGH 50-100 milers. these are guys,many born at altitude,who train at altitude and have the physiology for endurance. why then,with training,couldnt they mix it?
- November 2, 2011 at 7:55 AM


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Special Feature
Elliot Worsell, UFC - The queue to challenge UFC welterweight champion Georges 'Rush' St-Pierre isn't so much of an organised line as it is a communal gathering. There is little order, no hierarchy, and only a few dwellers are forthcoming. Aside from a brave few, nobody seems to be in any 'Rush' to fight one of the most dominant champions in mixed martial arts today.
The queue to challenge UFC welterweight champion Georges 'Rush' St-Pierre isn't so much of an organised line as it is a communal gathering. There is little order, no hierarchy, and only a few dwellers are forthcoming. Aside from a brave few, nobody seems to be in any 'Rush' to fight one of the most dominant champions in mixed martial arts today.
Rest assured, though, there are challengers and tests in the pipeline for St-Pierre. Only, unlike other champions' pool of contenders, St-Pierre's resembles more of a wasteland than a dish of fresh meat. In amongst a couple of brash newcomers from Britain are the resurrected zombies of previous conquests.
For a champion less disciplined and determined than St-Pierre, his selection of welterweight challengers could be problematic. Having beaten most of the leading welterweights in the world already, it would be easy for St-Pierre to rest on his laurels, fight once a year and fluctuate between weight divisions in pursuit of predicament.
As it is, St-Pierre couldn't be happier at the summit of the competitive 170-pound weight class. While the Montreal mauler would appear to be a level or two above the rest of the swarming sharks, St-Pierre isn't worried about future tests.
"I see every opponent as a threat," St-Pierre told me at UFC 105 in Manchester. "It's like mathematics – there are lots of different sums and equations for me to solve.
"Although people say I've cleared out the welterweight division, this sport is always evolving and there will always be different challenges. There are no two fighters the same in mixed martial arts, and each fighter represents a different style and danger.
"There are still many different threats I've yet to conquer in the welterweight division. I treat every single challenge as the toughest test of my career and I won't stop until I've beaten every single fighter out there."
At merely 28 years of age, St-Pierre has already come close to completing his mission. Etched on the 'GSP' ledger are the noteworthy names of BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck, Matt Serra and Sean Sherk. His two pro defeats – to Hughes and Serra – were both avenged in devastating fashion and he's been near perfect for six fights on the bounce.
In recent times, St-Pierre has appeared almost unstoppable. Seemingly now aware of his weaknesses, St-Pierre keeps fights geared towards his strengths, and when your strengths are as plentiful as GSP's, there are very few welterweights with a prayer. His recent clinics of Alves, Penn and Fitch were ominous in both their simplicity and one-sided nature. St-Pierre crushed all three and, in the case of Alves and Fitch, made hazardous number one contenders look like green rookies on the cusp of breaking the top 20.
This, in a nutshell, is the conundrum facing St-Pierre in 2010. A great problem to have, of course – St-Pierre is cleaning out his division and may soon run out of viable threats to his crown. If he can shut down the challenges of Alves and Fitch as though he's piecing together a child's Lego kit, what is he going to do to the rest of the 170-pound division?
*** Here are four welterweights - somewhere at the top of the pile - blessed with differing talents and tools to take to St-Pierre's lair ***
Merit: As worthy as any welterweight in the world, Hardy is 4-0 in his UFC career and has been competing professionally since 2004. Upon moving to the UFC in October 2008, Hardy has racked up wins over Mike Swick, Marcus Davis, Rory Markham and Akihiro Gono. The Nottingham man has yet to suffer defeat inside the Octagon and appears to be going from strength to strength.
Dangers: Like Fitch and Alves before him, Hardy enters a mooted bout with St-Pierre armed with all the confidence in the world. He's on a hot-streak of four straight wins and would seem to be getting better with each fight. He's bang in his prime at 27 years of age and seems to have a knack of riling opponents and getting under their skin.
Stylistically, Hardy is a threat on his feet, especially with his kicks and his left-hook. He picks his counter punches very well and is technically sound. His accuracy is also impressive when standing.
While Hardy may only boast four fights in the UFC, he possesses a wealth of experience in mixed martial arts and has competed in 30-bouts in total. This isn't just some new kid on the block that has talked his way to a title shot.
GSP History: None. Hardy is yet to fight St-Pierre and only shared Octagon space with the French-Canadian superstar when The Champ interrupted his post-Swick interview at UFC 105.
Hardy is a fresh face in the division. He's exciting, brash, articulate and takes on all-comers. Originally set to face Dong Hyun-Kim at UFC 105, Hardy effortlessly switched his attentions to Swick following the Korean's withdrawal. Hardy has taken chances with his tongue and his fight path. So far he's yet to put a foot wrong.
Next: Georges St-Pierre in 2010. Following his quality win over Swick in Manchester, Hardy will now challenge St-Pierre for his UFC welterweight title.
Merit: The nature of his chilling one-round dismissal of Martin Kampmann makes Daley worthy of a title stab in 2010. Lest we forget, Kampmann was originally set to meet Mike Swick in a title elimination affair before 'Quick' got concussed in training and had to withdraw.
Putting his money where his mouth was, Daley stepped up to the plate and obliterated Kampmann in style.
Dangers: Blessed with enough power in either fist to switch off the lights of the entire welterweight division, Daley is a permanent danger when standing. He hooks harder than any other welterweight out there and his Thai-boxing background provides him with the confidence to throw hands with anyone. While some fighters punch because they're told to – Daley punches because he knows how to and is used to knocking people out.
Like Hardy, 'Semtex' is a seasoned fighter who only decided to join the UFC when the time was right. Having travelled the world and mastered the arts the hard way, Daley is now at the peak of his fighting powers. While he may only be 1-0 in the UFC, Daley has a glut of fighting experience behind him and is experienced beyond his 26 years.
GSP History: None. Also like Hardy, this fellow Nottingham striker is relatively fresh meat in the 170-pound division.
Looking ahead, Daley may be only one or two further UFC wins away from meeting St-Pierre. While it would appear obvious Daley will struggle with St-Pierre's fusillade of takedowns and ground control, it's also worth mentioning that Daley clearly bangs hard enough to keep GSP cautious.
Unlike Alves – a similarly explosive striker – Daley is able to knock fighters clean out with his punches. He'll take confidence from the way Matt Serra upset St-Pierre with his fists. Though Daley may appear to simply do what it says on the tin, he's a genuine puncher with genuine power. Not many other welterweights – if any at all – can say the same thing.
Next: An intriguing clash with Carlos Condit at UFC 108 in January. Should Daley cut through Condit and then perhaps add another scalp in 2010, we could see the Nottingham man competing for the belt this time next year.
Merit: Given the nature of his last two performances, Koscheck's name deserves to be right up there in the pecking order. He dusted off Frank Trigg in September and then submitted hot prospect Anthony Johnson on Saturday night at UFC 106. Koscheck's have gloves, will travel attitude is refreshing. He never turns down a fight, is always ready to replace an injured fighter and never fails to entertain.
Recent defeats to Thiago Alves – albeit on late notice - and Paulo Thiago should keep his immediate title shot aspirations in check, though.
Dangers: Koscheck's bread and butter is undoubtedly his wrestling. In fact, he probably boasts the best wrestling of any welterweight not called Georges St-Pierre. Herein lies the problem for Koscheck. While his wrestling and athleticism give him a great chance against any 170-pounder, common logic would suggest that GSP is simply a better version of 'Kos'.
Koscheck is the complete mixed martial artist, in terms of his ability to dictate a fight standing and on the ground. His athleticism keeps him adaptable and a threat in all situations. The thing is, you could say exactly the same of St-Pierre.
GSP History: St-Pierre handed Koscheck a decision loss in August 2007. The fight was one-sided for the most part and St-Pierre demonstrated his superiority when standing and when wrestling. It was a humbling experience for Koscheck, and one he insists he's learned from.
Since that night, an improved Koscheck has defeated Dustin Hazelett, Chris Lytle, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and the aforementioned Trigg and Johnson.
Next: A rest. Koscheck has finished both Trigg and Johnson within eight weeks of each other. It's this willingness to fight and stay active that could see Koscheck get his return with St-Pierre in 2010. 'Kos' is always ready and always willing to fight the best.
Merit: With only two wins on the other side of a 2008 St-Pierre loss, Fitch won't be pushing too hard for a return just now. Nevertheless, Fitch does boast as good a set of credentials as any other welterweight in the UFC. He boasts pre-GSP wins over Thiago Alves, Diego Sanchez, Josh Burkman and Roan Carneiro, and has recently defeated Paulo Thiago and Akihiro Gono. Thiago, of course, was the man responsible for knocking Koscheck out in February of this year.
Dangers: A true mixed martial artist, Fitch is efficient in all areas of the sport. St-Pierre famously labelled him the toughest test of his career and it was for that reason. Fitch carries a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is every bit as strong on his feet as he is on the ground. Blessed with a unique ability to control his opponent and make them fight his fight, Fitch is the type of guy who will defeat everybody but the champion. He's the Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson of the 170-pound division. Not necessarily a bad thing.
GSP History: Fitch received a mostly one-sided beating from St-Pierre in August 2008. The teak tough American somehow made it through all five rounds, despite taking countless shots from St-Pierre for 25 painful minutes. It was a sign of Fitch's toughness and determination that he managed to last the course.
On a positive note, Fitch now knows what's in store when the GSP equation comes up. On a run of 16 straight wins at the time, Fitch suffered defeat and has now moved on to improve. It's easy to think you're the best when you're unbeaten in the UFC. Sometimes a loss acts as the realisation of just how good you need to be.
Next: The Indiana-native faces Mike Pierce on December 12 at UFC 107. Though a win over Pierce may not be his ticket to a title shot, one gets the feeling Fitch is about to embark on another one of those long and windy unbeaten runs. If that is indeed the case, who can write off a return with St-Pierre somewhere down the road? Take GSP out the equation and Fitch may still be the best of the rest.
Power Slap

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Friday, July 2, 2010
Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake
From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely sponge cake is popular throughout Scandinavia. I learned to make the Swedish version of the cake , called Jordgubbbstårta, the summer of my twelfth birthday. Traditionally, this cake was made for special occasions such as birthdays or national holidays. In summer months the cake was filled with heavy cream and fresh berries. Winter versions were, of course, filled with fruit preserves. While it is simple to make, the cake requires a lot of beating and I suspect that's why it was so seldom made. Although electric mixers became available to homemakers in the early 1930's, they were expensive and few families could afford them. All that changed in 1952 when Sunbeam began to market an affordable hand held electric mixer. That, coincidentally, is the year I first made this cake. Independence Day was a communal holiday in our neighborhood and Mrs. P was responsible for the desserts. She decided to substitute the usual shortcake with her lovely Swedish sponge. She had already made one cake when she asked if I would like to make the second. I was thrilled to pieces and under her watchful eye began to make the second. Now, there is a Tom Sawyer aspect to this tale. I suspect I was given the task because it took so long, even with the electric mixer, to beat the eggs. With her hands free, Mrs. P went on to mix a batch of brownies and the dough for oatmeal cookies, while I carefully held the mixer and watched and waited for the eggs to thicken. They eventually did and the tale ends well. My cake was a triumph. To prevent unnecessary worry, you should know that the cake layers will not dome as they bake. I've also found that the cake is vastly improved if the layers are lightly brushed with orange liqueur or dark rum. The berries I used were super-ripe and packed with flavor, but they tinted the cream pink. If you want a cake with a pure white visage use less ripe berries. The cake will hold nicely for a day or two, but it really wilts as day three approaches. This is a lovely dessert, and if you're looking for a strawberry dessert to replace shortcake, you might want to give this a try. Here's the recipe.
Swedish Strawberry and Cream Cake - Jordgubbstårta...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite
1 cup (4 to 5 large) eggs, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Orange liqueur or rum for brushing cake layers
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart hulled strawberries, sliced
1) Grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with wax or parchment paper. Grease paper and flour pans. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Place eggs in bowl of an electric stand mixer. Beat until frothy. With mixer at high speed, slowly add granulated sugar and beat until mixture is very, very thick and pale. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined.
3) Sift flour and baking powder into another bowl or onto wax paper. With mixer set to low speed, slowly add flour to egg mixture, beating just until blended.
4) Spread batter into pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake bounces back when touched. Do not over bake. Remove cake layers from oven and cool.
5) To prepare filling, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla and continue beating until cream is stiff. Refrigerate. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
You might also enjoy these recipes:
Toscatarta - One Perfect Bite
Linzer Cookies - One Perfect Bite
Swedish Visiting Cake - Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy
Swedish Princess Cake -Foodaholics
Swedish Meringue Cake - Epicurious
76 comments :
- Adventures in Domestic Cooking said...
This cake looks marvelous!
Thanks for sharing the story as well, super cool! - July 1, 2010 at 11:10 PM
- Lyndas recipe box said...
This is a lovely strawberry cake Mary, and I enjoyed hearing about your first time making it.
Have a wonderful week! - July 1, 2010 at 11:12 PM
- theUngourmet said...
Beautiful! I just made a cake like this a couple of days ago. I'd love to try your recipe next time! :)
- July 1, 2010 at 11:15 PM
- Annesphamily said...
Your cake tale was delightful but this cake looks like a real dream! Yummy! Happy 4th! Anne
- July 1, 2010 at 11:18 PM
- Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul said...
Can never have enough strawberries...this looks so good.
Carmen - July 1, 2010 at 11:23 PM
- Unknown said...
The cake looks amazing Mary. I don't have an electric mixer so I think I will pass for now. Mixing by hand is hard work, so I'm not surprised it wasn't made very often before electric mixers came out.
- July 1, 2010 at 11:33 PM
- GLENDA CHILDERS said...
This cake reminds me of the lovely bakeries I have visited in Scotland. A long way from Sweden, but some similarities.
- July 1, 2010 at 11:47 PM
- Unknown said...
Your cake looks delicious! I love anything with strawberries in it!
- July 1, 2010 at 11:50 PM
- Joy said...
That looks lovely. I like your filling recipe.
- July 2, 2010 at 12:10 AM
- CinnamonChoc said...
i wish i could be a good cook just like you :)
- July 2, 2010 at 12:51 AM
- RamblingTart said...
I love your stories so much, Mary. :-) Although I've never met you, you "feel" like such a kindred spirit. :-) Love this cake!!! Even if I'd wear my arm out beating and beating. :-)
PS - Yes! I did re-do my blog. :-) So glad you like it! - July 2, 2010 at 1:19 AM
- Adelina said...
Can a cake like this NOT be a triumph? And strawberries are just in season! I wonder if adding a few blueberries here and there would spoil the show....just for the July 4th festive look?
- July 2, 2010 at 1:26 AM
- sara said...
What a lovely story; very enjoyable reading! And, this looks delicious. Thanks and have a fantastic weekend!
- July 2, 2010 at 1:50 AM
- Jeannie said...
This cake looks gorgeous! I so love strawberries on cakes.
- July 2, 2010 at 2:09 AM
- Katerina said...
Mixers just like all kitchen appliances make cooking and baking very easy. Sometimes I am thinking of all the generations of women who had to do the same things with less tools available to them. This cake looks awesome.
- July 2, 2010 at 2:39 AM
- Unknown said...
what a lovely recipe and story. I'd have a slice anytime of the day. Have a great weekend Mary. Michael.
- July 2, 2010 at 3:54 AM
- Priya Suresh said...
Excellent looking cake, feel like having some spoons rite now...beautiful story as well..
- July 2, 2010 at 3:54 AM
- Deb in Hawaii said...
This cake is lovely--the perfect showcase for beautiful fresh berries. Can you mail me a slice?! ;-)
- July 2, 2010 at 3:56 AM
- Ana Powell said...
A very powerful slice of strawberry cream cake is teasing me.
Awesome click, delicious recipe ♥ - July 2, 2010 at 4:01 AM
- toni_n said...
Great recipe!
Greeting and smiling day :) - July 2, 2010 at 4:33 AM
- Diane said...
This looks really yummy, but I think I will swop the strawberries for cherries. They agree with me, where strawberries sadly don't. Diane
- July 2, 2010 at 6:02 AM
- Big Dude said...
Your past two strawberry treats have looked incredible
- July 2, 2010 at 6:36 AM
- Sweet Southern Prep said...
I'm going to have to try making this one soon. My dad's favorite is Strawberry Shortcake, so I'm sure he'd be willing to try this too! :) YUM!
- July 2, 2010 at 6:43 AM
- Rita said...
Fabulous creation! I can almost taste it! It looks so light,
Rita - July 2, 2010 at 6:45 AM
- Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...
What a fabulous cake Mary. Happy 4th of July. Hope you have a great holiday.
Sam - July 2, 2010 at 6:58 AM
- Martha said...
Mary -- another winner as usual! This does look really good! Reminds me a bit of Ina's country strawberry cake.
- July 2, 2010 at 7:04 AM
- Cherine said...
Gorgeous!! this cake is simply mouthwatering!!
- July 2, 2010 at 7:15 AM
- Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...
No wonder your desserts are always stunning. You have been baking since you were 12 with a few short years to create perfection like this strawberry cream cake.
- July 2, 2010 at 7:53 AM
- Malar Gandhi said...
Cake looks moist and perfect.
- July 2, 2010 at 7:55 AM
- Rachana said...
The Cake looks gorgeous! I love strawberries :-)
Thanks for sharing the story as well!
Have a lovely weekend, dear Mary :-) - July 2, 2010 at 8:02 AM
- Joyce said...
Thanks for sharing this and commenting on the recipe. I will definitely make this when I get home from vacation for the Atlanta blog gals when we get together in August.
Joyce - July 2, 2010 at 8:09 AM
- Sarah @ Mum In Bloom said...
I always learn so much from reading your posts. The cake is beautiful and my daughter would be so pleased to make this.. her brother's birthday is fast approaching & this would be a great gift from her. Again, it looks so beautiful and delicious!
- July 2, 2010 at 8:21 AM
- Cathy said...
What a wonderful way to use some of the luscious berries in the market right now.
- July 2, 2010 at 9:06 AM
- Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...
Mary, Immediate bookmarked this recipe, this cake look so good. Have a nice weekened ahead.
- July 2, 2010 at 9:19 AM
- Umm Mymoonah said...
I'm drooling over by the look of this cake and that was very good history about electric mixers.
Have a nice weekend:-) - July 2, 2010 at 9:28 AM
- CaSaundraLeigh said...
I don't think I've tried any Swedish desserts ever. But anything with strawberries and cake is a plus in my book! I could put my good ol' stand mixer to use with this recipe!
- July 2, 2010 at 9:29 AM
- Unknown said...
I love the story of your first time making this cake. Thanks for sharing that! And speaking of the cake.. oh my does that look delicious. I know it's only 6:30 in the morning, but I want a piece of it right now!! I mean strawberries are good for breakfast, right :)
- July 2, 2010 at 9:34 AM
- Salsa Verde said...
Hi Mary,
This cake look so delicious and gorgeous. I never baked a cake like that. It look so profissional!!
Lia. - July 2, 2010 at 10:46 AM
- Susi's Kochen und Backen said...
What a fantastic looking cake but then how can you go wrong with strawberries and cream? I wish I had a piece right now with my cup of morning coffee, I bet they would make a lovely combo!
- July 2, 2010 at 10:57 AM
- FoodontheTable said...
This looks so beautiful - especially for July 4!
- July 2, 2010 at 11:32 AM
- Unknown said...
We are big strawberry fans in our family so I had to come back and see what you made with your strawberries!
I love the cake and the frozen soufflé, a couple of great recipes and stories you've shared here, thanks Mary!
Happy 4th of July:-) - July 2, 2010 at 11:47 AM
- Unknown said...
Great looking cake, again I wish I could live with you for just one week@
- July 2, 2010 at 11:49 AM
- Carla and Michael said...
That is definately worth a try with all kinds of various fillings. It looks so light and fluffy.
Thanks. - July 2, 2010 at 12:27 PM
- Cooking Creation said...
I am drooling on my keyboard right now and trying not to lick the screen. Looks great!
- July 2, 2010 at 12:30 PM
- Sushma Mallya said...
What a beautiful cake, really loved it mary, very nicely done...& have a wonderful weekend..
- July 2, 2010 at 12:50 PM
- PranisKitchen said...
beautiful delicious and yummy cake mary.. feel to have some.. have a perfect bite...nice pic too
Have a great weekend - July 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM
- flying eagle woman said...
i love this place - thanks for sharing the recipe and the story! i may never make it but i feel better having just read it:-)
Shawna - July 2, 2010 at 1:50 PM
- Joanne said...
I always had a cake like this for my birthday but the bakery we bought it from called it a strawberry shortcake. Perfect for a lovely summer dessert.
- July 2, 2010 at 2:19 PM
- Deana Sidney said...
Wonderful cake and story. I just made a cake much like yours and the standing mixer was on for 10 minutes before the thick lemon foam happened. Delish cake... would be fun to put it together!!!
- July 2, 2010 at 2:35 PM
- ♥ Kathy said...
You make me wish I could eat berries! It looks so good!
- July 2, 2010 at 2:45 PM
- Angie's Recipes said...
Mary, have you an extra unused room in your house that you consider renting out? :-)
The strawberry cake looks simply elegant and summery! - July 2, 2010 at 2:51 PM
- The Blonde Duck said...
I can't make a layered cake to save my life.
- July 2, 2010 at 3:11 PM
- Simply Life said...
oh wow, that cake looks amazing!
- July 2, 2010 at 3:21 PM
- scrambledhenfruit said...
I love your recipes, Mary, but I enjoy your stories as well! This strawberry cake is lovely, though I'm glad I have a mixer to make it in. (It would probably do wonders for my arm muscles to make one by hand!) Thanks for sharing these wonderful strawberry recipes-
Betty - July 2, 2010 at 3:42 PM
- Amelia Morris said...
thank you for the nice comment! this cake looks PERFECT for summer. I can totally see attempting it!
- July 2, 2010 at 3:42 PM
- Devaki said...
What a great story Mary! And the cake looks marvelous.
The cream and strawberries with it is perfect for the summer.
I also want to give your strawberry souffle a go soon :)
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors - July 2, 2010 at 3:49 PM
- The Words Crafter said...
This is going in my recipe box with stars and squiggles all over it (to show importance). My husband adores strawberries and this looks easy enough to make. Thanks so much! Have a fantastic fourth!
- July 2, 2010 at 3:58 PM
- Jen_from_NJ said...
I enjoyed your story and the cake looks spectacular. I will be sharing this recipe with my daughter. She is the baker in the house. Thanks Mary!
- July 2, 2010 at 4:33 PM
- giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...
Hi Mary,
questo dolce è proprio una golosità !!
Buona giornata :-)) - July 2, 2010 at 4:52 PM
- Claudia said...
The first time you make a new recipe always seems to come with the best story. The cake is as scrumptious as the story is! Even the better for it. Happy Fourth of July.... soon!
- July 2, 2010 at 6:00 PM
- Cinara said...
Hello, Mary! Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog, Cinara's Place! I've just spent wonderful moments reading your recipes and enjoying your beautiful pictures... Congratulations on your amazing blog! Here in Brazil (at least in the southeast, where I live) it is also strawberry season. So I'll be checking all of your strawberry recipes!
Have a wonderful weekend! - July 2, 2010 at 6:39 PM
- The Red Umbrella said...
This looks like heaven to me!
- July 2, 2010 at 7:17 PM
- rosasdolcevita said...
What a lovely cake with a wonderful story behind it. :-)
I love the not-so-complicated list of ingredients. I bookmarked to make soon - that is, this weekend! My little guy will love it! Thanks for sharing. - July 2, 2010 at 9:40 PM
- xinex said...
Oh Mary, this really looks so good. I love strawberries!..Christine
- July 2, 2010 at 10:29 PM
- A Canadian Foodie said...
Mary!!! This, and then the yogurt... and the relish... and on and on. I will take more time to read more... but I have been so busy and I hate missing your posts. Each is so enjoyable to read and such a work of art... and yummy recipes, too. It is June (or was) - and I teach full time. What more can I say (get a subscribe by e-mail [plug in??)
valerie - July 2, 2010 at 10:35 PM
- Marly said...
This cake looks delicious! I love strawberries.
- July 2, 2010 at 11:12 PM
- PeggyR said...
This is another yummy treat! I love the story as well...
- July 2, 2010 at 11:19 PM
- Suzy said...
This looks positively wonderful and screams summer to me.
- July 3, 2010 at 2:36 AM
- Allie and Pattie said...
Lovely! I often make a sponge with strawberries and cream simply because it's my mother's preferance- I had no idea there was a name for it. happy 4th Mary!
xoxo Pattie - July 3, 2010 at 7:43 AM
- Le said...
Lovely looking cake Mary! I loved the story along with it too :)
- July 4, 2010 at 5:24 PM
- Vegetarian Yogini said...
made it today , July 4th, used blueberries as well- came out so yummy! Thanks Mary!
- July 4, 2010 at 7:47 PM
- AllThingsYummy said...
I made this cake yesterday for a bbq and it was a huge hit. thanks for the recipe.
- July 5, 2010 at 12:35 PM
- The Glamorous Gourmet said...
I found your blog through All Things Yummy & just signed up to follow you! That cake looks delicious! Please stop by and visit me at www.stephaniesavorsthemoment.com. I look forward to your next post - Cheers!
- July 5, 2010 at 5:25 PM
- pastry studio said...
Really beautiful cake! Sponge is perfect for strawberries and cream.
- July 7, 2010 at 9:23 PM
- Megan @ Foodalution said...
I absolutely adore cream cake! Delicious and my favorite!
- July 7, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Thanks for sharing this recipe it looks so yummy I would make this for my moms birthday.
- December 14, 2012 at 10:02 AM


text:
What Is a Roth IRA?
Roth IRAs are tax-favored financial vehicles that enable investors to save money for retirement. They differ from traditional IRAs in that taxpayers cannot deduct contributions made to a Roth. However, qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren't included in a taxpayer's gross income. That can be advantageous, especially if the account owner is in a higher tax bracket in retirement or taxes are higher in the future. A Roth IRA is subject to the same contribution limits as a traditional IRA, the maximum combined annual contribution an individual can make to traditional and Roth IRAs is $5,500 in 2018, unchanged from 2017. Special "catch-up" contributions enable those nearing retirement (age 50 and older) to save at an accelerated rate by contributing $1,000 more than the regular annual limits. Another way in which Roth IRAs can be advantageous is that investors can contribute to a Roth after age 70½ as long as they have earned income, and they don't have to begin taking mandatory distributions due to age, as they do with traditional IRAs; however, beneficiaries of Roth IRAs must take mandatory distributions. Roth IRA withdrawals of contributions can be made at any time and for any reason. Withdrawals of contributions are tax-free and not subject to the 10% federal income tax penalty for early withdrawals. In order to make a qualified tax-free and penalty-free distribution of earnings, the account must meet the five-year holding requirement and the account holder must be age 59½ or older. Otherwise, these withdrawals of earnings are subject to ordinary income tax and the 10% federal income tax penalty (with certain exceptions including death, disability, unreimbursed medical expenses in excess of 10% of adjusted gross income, higher-education expenses the purchase of a first home ($10,000 lifetime cap) substantially equal periodic payments, and qualified reservist distributions). Keep in mind that even though qualified Roth IRA distributions are free of federal income tax, they may be subject to state and/or local income taxes. Eligibility to make annual contributions to a Roth IRA phases out for taxpayers with higher incomes. If you're looking for a retirement savings vehicle with some distinct tax advantages, the Roth IRA could be appropriate for you. The information in this newsletter is not intended as tax, legal, investment, or retirement advice or recommendations, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2018 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. 11/16/2022 09:43:49 pm
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January 2019


text: While we're in the neighborhood: a new study has found that birds' nests lined with cigarette butts help keep the residents warm, snug and pest-free. Scientists at St. Andrews University in Scotland say that nicotine and other chemicals in the discarded butts act as natural pesticides against mites. And the cigarette filters provide the nest with insulation against the cold. The study was conducted in Mexico City, where butts abandoned and smashed on the streets are plentiful, so hard bitten urban birds are more likely to be happy nesters than those in the country. Cigarette companies are hard-pressed to put anything appealing in their ads these days on a product that by law must be bannered: Surgeon General's Warning: Smoking causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy. Maybe now they can add: It's For the Birds. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
A few people have already remarked on some pretty surprising numbers in Arctic sea ice extent this year (the New York Times has also noticed). The minimum extent is usually in early to mid September, but this year, conditions by Aug 9 had already beaten all previous record minima. Given that there is at least a few more weeks of melting to go, it looks like the record set in 2005 will be unequivocally surpassed. It could be interesting to follow especially in light of model predictions discussed previously.
There are a number of places to go to get Arctic sea ice information. Cryosphere Today has good anomaly plots. The Naval Sea ice center has a few different algorithms (different ways of processing the data) that give some sense of the observational uncertainty, and the National Snow and Ice Data Center give monthly updates. All of them show pretty much the same thing.
Just to give a sense of how dramatic the changes have been over the last 28 years, the figures below show the minimum ice extent in September 1979, and the situation today (Aug 9, 2007).
The reduction is around 1.2 million square km of ice, a little bit larger than the size of California and Texas combined.
Update: As noted by Andy Revkin below, some of the discussion is about ice extent and some is about ice area. The Cryosphere Today numbers are for area. The difference is whether you count 'leads' (the small amounts of water between ice floes) as being ice or water – for the area calculation they are not included with the ice, for the extent calculation they are.
Update: From the comments: NSIDC will now be tracking this on a weekly basis.


text:
This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Melissa Block.
And I'm Audie Cornish.
President Obama kicked off a new initiative this afternoon, aimed at improving the odds for young black and Latino men. The White House calls the program My Brother's Keeper. The idea is to bring together business people, faith leaders, athletes and celebrities to confront the challenges facing young men of color. Major charities have pledged $200 million to the cause over the next five years.
Speaking in the White House East Room this afternoon, the president said it's a moral and economic imperative.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We need to change the statistics, not just for the sake of the young men and boys but for the sake of America's future.
CORNISH: NPR's Scott Horsley joins us now. And Scott, it was two years ago this week that Trayvon Martin was shot and killed. That story generated a lot of headlines. And I understand his parents were in the audience. How much is this initiative a response to that?
SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Trayvon Martin's friends were here, Audie, as were the parents of Jordan Davis, another young black man from Florida who died a violent and headline-grabbing death. As the president pointed out, young black men are more than six times as likely to be murdered as young white men, and many of those deaths don't make the news. Last February, the president was in Chicago talking about his gun safety initiative. And while he was there, he met with some young men who were taking part in a violence and dropout prevention program.
And at the time, Obama was very frank in saying when he was a young man, he experienced many of the same frustrations, and made many of the same bad decisions, those teenagers have. And he said: We need to find more ways to help young men of color see more possibilities for themselves. And some of those young men from Chicago were here at the White House this afternoon.
CORNISH: Over the years, some African-American activists have sometimes criticized the president for not being more outspoken about these challenges. Is this a sign that the president is changing his tune?
HORSLEY: Obama has been very cautious about doing anything that might suggest he's too much the African-American president. Certainly, there are many people who want to see him in that light anyway. And in the past, he sometimes brushed aside complaints about, for example, high unemployment in the black community; saying, look, his economic agenda is designed to help all Americans. He repeated that message today. But then he added a wrinkle.
OBAMA: The plain fact is there are some Americans who in the aggregate, are consistently doing worse in our society, groups that have had the odds stacked against them in unique ways that require unique solutions.
HORSLEY: And on measure after measure, Obama said the group facing some of the most severe challenges is young black and Latino men.
CORNISH: But is there a political risk for the president here?
HORSLEY: It's possible. I've seen some reaction from people who feel like this program is giving special treatment to young black and Latino men, people who'd prefer to see a more colorblind approach from the White House. To be fair, those are people who probably weren't big supporters of the president to begin with.
Obama was careful to say, look, this is not about creating some big new government program. It is, as you pointed out, mostly about enlisting businesses and community groups and celebrities and faith leaders, trying to create an environment where young black men feel as if they're more a part of society.
CORNISH: And then listening to the president today, was there a sense that there was a little bit of tough love from him as well?
HORSLEY: Yes. He ended his remarks by talking directly to young black and Latino men, both the ones here at the White House and in the broader audience, and his message was, look, no excuses. We've got responsibilities as a society to give you the tools you need, but you've got responsibilities too. In essence, he was passing along the message that he says he heard from his mother, his grandparents, his teachers and others who were there when he was a young man.
And, Audie, I have heard him deliver the same message one on one to young black men throughout his time in office. Now he's doing it on the national stage, and aides say he'll be delivering this message and working on this issue long after he leaves office.
CORNISH: That's NPR's Scott Horsley. Scott, thank you.
HORSLEY: My pleasure, Audie. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Facing a wave of criticism from around the world, IOC President Jacques Rogge will meet with the head of wrestling's governing body to discuss ways the sport can fight to save its place in the Olympics.
The IOC executive board dropped wrestling from the program of the 2020 Games on Tuesday, a decision which brought a sharp backlash from wrestling organizations and national Olympic bodies around the world — including the United States, Russia and Iran.
The move must still be ratified by the full International Olympic Committee in September, giving wrestling time to try to overturn a decision against a sport which dates back to the ancient Olympics and has been featured since the inaugural modern games in 1896.
Rogge said Wednesday he has been contacted by Raphael Martinetti, the Swiss president of international wrestling federation FILA, and was encouraged by the sport's resolve to make changes and fight for its place.
"We agreed we would meet at the first opportunity to have discussions," Rogge said at a news conference at the close of a two-day board meeting. "I should say FILA reacted well to this disheartening news for them.
"They vowed to adapt the sport and vowed to fight to be eventually included in the 2020 slot."
Wrestling, which remains on the program for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, still has a chance to stay on the list for 2020 — if it manages to respond decisively to the wakeup call and convince the IOC to reverse course.
"This is not the end of the day. The door is not closed," IOC Vice President Thomas Bach of Germany said. "It's good to see the reaction of FILA to say, 'OK we have understood, we have to do something and we will present a plan for the future of wrestling.' That is the right attitude."
Wrestling now joins seven other sports vying for one opening on the 2020 program: a combined bid from baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and the martial art of wushu.
The IOC executive board will meet in May in St. Petersburg, Russia, to decide which sport or sports to propose for 2020 inclusion. The final vote will be made at the IOC general assembly in September in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"The vote of yesterday is not an elimination of wrestling from the Olympic Games," Rogge said. "Wrestling will participate in the games in Rio de Janeiro. To the athletes who train now, I say, 'Continue training for your participation in Rio. Your federation is working for the inclusion in the 2020 Games.'"
Rogge was asked whether Tuesday's decision marked an end to wrestling's Olympic hopes.
"I cannot look into a crystal ball into the future," he said. "We have established a fair process by which the sport that would not be included in the core has a chance to compete with the seven other sports for the slot on the 2020 Games."
Rogge said he was fully aware of the strength of criticism leveled at the IOC for the move.
"We knew even before the decision was taken whatever sport would not be included in the core program would lead to criticism from the supporters of that sport," he said.
Still, complaints continued to pour in Wednesday from different parts of the world, uniting the U.S. and Iran on an issue in ways never imagined in diplomatic circles. The U.S. and Russia were also unlikely allies in the save-wrestling campaign.
Alexander Zhukov, head of the Russian Olympic Committee, said he would write to Rogge and "use all of our strength to persuade the IOC not to exclude wrestling from the Olympic program."
Wrestling has been one of Russia's strongest sports: Soviet and Russian wrestlers have won 77 gold medals.
In Tehran, Iranian wrestler Ali Reza Dabir, a gold medalist in 2000 Sydney Games, called wrestling "the identity" of the Olympics.
"Do we destroy our historical sites which are symbols of humanity?" he told The Associated Press. "No. Then, why should we destroy wrestling?"
The Wrestling Federation of India said it would do all that it can to reverse the decision, and the Olympic committee in Greece — the birthplace of the ancient and modern games — condemned "a decision that is clearly in total opposition to the history of the Olympic Games and of sports in general."
On Tuesday, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun questioned the IOC decision "given the history and tradition of wrestling, and its popularity and universality."
There are potential scenarios that would work in wrestling's favor.
IOC officials said it's possible the executive board could decide in May to put three sports forward for consideration, including wrestling. Then it would be up to the assembly to approve wrestling or not.
If the board decides to keep wrestling off the list, the IOC assembly — which has resisted past attempts by the board to impose changes to the sports program — could reject the proposed list of 25 sports altogether. That would mean the current 26 sports, including wrestling, would stay and the whole process would go back to square one.
Modern pentathlon — a five-sport discipline dating back to the 1912 Games — had been widely expected to face removal from the program but lobbied successfully to save its status.
IOC member Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico, who served on the executive board for eight years, said such decisions are inevitably swayed by politics.
"Some people are better at lobbying than others," he told the AP. "There is a political dimension to this. There are people who have connections, who have this and that. We may like it or not, but in a multi-national organization like this decisions get made in ways that are not completely logical."
___ Associated Press writers Ali Akbar Dareini in Tehran, Jim Heintz in Moscow and Elena Becatoros in Athens contributed to this report.


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BRUSSELS– Minority populations in Europe and North America need a stronger voice in the seats of power, elected leaders from both sides of the Atlantic said today at the conclusion of the Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference in Brussels.
Coming on the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the European Union's Racial Equality Directive, the two-day conference focused on efforts to increase Black and ethnic minority representation in politics and government and support development and implementation of anti-discrimination laws.
"Throughout Europe and the United States we have seen historic and encouraging initiatives, however the persistence of anti-immigrant and downright xenophobic policies and rhetoric shows us that even our modest gains can too quickly be lost," said U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission).
"Political inclusion and participation of minorities at all levels of governments, especially in institutions like Congress and the European Parliament are key for advancing equal rights and opportunities," said Hannes Swoboda, MEP for Austria and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group Vice President responsible relations with the U.S. Congress. "In our enlargement policy we should demand an active inclusion policy as a condition for accession."
S&D MEP Emine Bozkurt of the Netherlands added: "Above all, we need to ensure that we have laws protecting against all forms of discrimination. However, it is not enough to just have laws in place; it is another thing to ensure that they are implemented and respected. Practice shows that there is a barrier to prosecuting on the grounds of discrimination. Policy makers at all levels, from local to national, European and international, need to work together in this regard to ensure positive change. "
As a follow up to last year's Black European Summit: Transatlantic Dialogue on Political Inclusion, sessions addressed the impact of diversity and anti-discrimination efforts, immigration laws, and national security policies on Black and ethnic minorities. Attendees also discussed the roles minorities play in formulating policy.
The conference brought together political and intellectual minority leaders from the United States and Europe to strengthen the transatlantic dialogue on increasing opportunities for minorities and breaking down barriers to political participation.


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Staring at the ceiling of our bedroom, I was feeling restless, my mind going through the chores and tasks of the new day ahead. Sleep did not fancy coming back to me no matter how I tossed and turned. Not wanting to disturb the household I tiptoed into the kitchen to fix myself a strong cup of coffee.
Cradling the steaming mug of coffee between my hands I walked out onto the patio of our back garden and made myself comfortable on one of the wooden deck chairs. The quiet and solitude are like balsam to my bustling mind, massaging the anxiousness slowly away. Suddenly my senses are alert, awakened by the beauty of the new season.
Spring has arrived, bedecked like a young virgin ready to seduce the senses of those who venture into her embrace. The air is heavy with the perfume of fresh moist soil, dispersing its sweet, redolent scent, which lingers in a hazy mist just above the earth. The sun begins its rise, slowly emerging over the grassy knolls in the horizon, setting the sky on fire in colors of flaming red and orange.
I feel selfish to be hoarding this undisturbed, breathtaking beauty in which I hide. I watch as the sky glows in the dark, the sun rays reaching into the mist, warming it and like the veil of a bride, lifting it and kissing the ground below.
Soon the air is alive with a symphony of bird songs, singing in nature's orchestra in perfect harmony. The warm breeze blows ambrosial fragrances of early blooms from the fields below, while busy bees begin their day dashing from flower to flower gathering the early morning nectar. Lucid droplets of moisture on the new buds reflect the majestic butterflies as they gently glide noiselessly over the flowerbeds.
This incredible scene unfolds within a matter of minutes before my eyes and the beauty resonates inside of me. Spring is the time for new beginnings. It creates inspiration, stimulates creativity and arouses the imagination and just like we open the windows wide, letting the fresh breezes of Spring ban musty old Winter from our houses, we allow Spring to reach deep within us and to extract and invigorate our senses that seem to have been dormant in the darker months of the year.
For now the restlessness inside of me seems to be sidetracked and I know that given time I'll get back into the swing of things.
Last summer just before leaving on vacation to Norway I made a Lemon and Herb Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Asparagus and described summer in a very similar manner to this post. Little did I know that the lemon and herb risotto would connect me with a new friendship. While we were in Bergen we met with Kjersti who chanced upon my blog in search of a risotto recipe. Both our families spent a fantastic day in Bergen together and we've been in touch ever since. Next week Kjersti and her family will finally be visiting us in Weimar for a few days. We've been planning since Christmas! I cannot wait to see them again and enjoy a few relaxed Spring days together. We'll be sipping wine, barbecuing, and creating Indian-Norwegian-German-Icelandic (Kjersti's husband in from Iceland) fusion food together.
As it was a risotto that brought us together it only seems appropriate that I celebrate their arrival with a risotto. An elegant risotto, refined with Riesling wine and earthy notes of leek and bacon. Simple yet very satisfying.
Printable version of recipe here
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
- 1 liter chicken or vegetable broth
- 375 ml Riesling wine
- 200 g bacon, cubed
- 3 large leeks, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 300 g risotto rice
- 100 g Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper
- Bring the broth to a boil and keep warm. In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and fry the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In a pot, heat 1 tablespoon butter and remaining olive oil together and add the chopped shallots and leeks, then on a low heat sauté very gently for 8-10 minutes until the flavors have combined and caramelized. Be careful and do not allow them to take on color. Add the rice and increase the heat.
- Keep stirring the rice while it cooks and takes on a glassy color - approx. 1 minute. At this point add the wine and as it bubbles, allow the rice to infuse with the wonderful aroma.
- Once the liquid has evaporated and the rice begins to get dry add a ladle full of broth. Stir well and add a touch of salt. Reduce the temperature so that the mixture bubbles gently. Now, keep adding the broth, a ladle at a time, and allow the rice to soak this up, stirring every now and then. When the rice has soaked the liquid add another ladle full. By "massaging" the rice this way you release the creamy starch from the rice giving the dish a fantastic creamy consistency. This whole process takes approx. 15 minutes. The rice grains should be soft but still have a slight crunch to them. Now add a bit of salt and pepper, but be careful as the stock is normally salty enough - so please taste before!
- Take the pot off the heat and stir through the bacon along with most of the Parmesan. Mix well and cover. Allow the rice to take on all the flavors - 2 minutes. Giving the risotto this time allows it to unfold it's perfect creamy-moist consistency. Check and adjust seasoning.
- To serve scatter the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top and enjoy with a glass of chilled Riesling wine.
The Food Guide Tips:
- Tips and tricks on how to make a basic risotto
These are often the simple but fulfilling dishes I like making when good friends come around. The message lies heavily on comfort, relaxation and feeling at home. Furthermore, in my opinion a risotto is a wonderful way to get your friends into the kitchen and everyone pitches in,.Bottles of wine are opened and tasted, laughter and ideas flow freely and then when we finally all sit down together there is that ultimate feeling of being surrounded by loved ones close enough to enter your kitchen and prepare a meal with you.
Plate to Page
Over on the Plate to Page blog we are currently featuring one very creative photographer who has inspired me from the early days I began with food photography. Come on over and meet Sabra Krock as she shares some awesome detail and insight into the world of food photography and styling in her post It Happened Organically.
I'll be taking a little break next week, but if I do get around to it, I certainly will share a few virtual appetizers of the food we cook up and scenery we take in. Have a great week and cook up a feast!
More risottos from WFLH:
All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2011 Meeta Khurana Wolff unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First


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