GRIP Nº5 - English Version

N.ยบ 05 May 2013

Venice cps

Konstantin Fedorov interview

Stephanie miss grip

North vs South

Puget-Sur-Argens

scenario

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14-15 Profile 16-27 Millennium

46-52 Interview

88-97

Brotherhood Tour

Miss GRIP - Stephanie

index 06–07

The team

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Editorial

10–11

Highligth It has started

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News

14–15

42–45

16–37

46–52

38–41

54–65

Profile Richard Pike Millennium Puget-Sur-Argens Rules Domingos Leitão

Project K Axel Gaudin Interview Brotherhood Tour Gallery - Art Chaos Millennium Champions

66–79

Interview Konstantin Fedorov 02

index

98-109 North vs South

80-87 CPS 66-79 Interview

Konstantin Fedorov

114-117 Review - AXE LE 123-125

Review - FUEL SupraLite

80–87 CPS Venice

88-97

Miss GRIP Stephanie

98-109

Scenario Warped North vs South

110-112

Research Paintball and violent behavior

114-117 Review AXE LE

118-121

Review Competition clothes

123-125

Review FUEL SupraLite

126-129 Backstage

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Prize

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Thanks

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RITA PEREIRA GRIP Magazine’s Art Director. She works as a professional graphic designer.

PEDRO SIMÕES GRIP Magazine’s photography editor. He’s also an accredited photojournalist.

DANIEL TEIXEIRA GRIP Magazine’s kid.

He’s responsible for all of the news from the “world of paint”.

HANDY TIMS Who better than one of designers? A related to im your man!

ANDRÉ FARIA The scenario man.

If we’re talking about camouflage, gun replicas and lots of fun, then that’s where he is.

AXEL GAUDIN Doesn´t need introductions. Who better to teach you tactics than one of the Project K Masters?

DOMINGOS LEITÃO Head Marshal at the Millennium and Portuguese League. He explains you the basic

RITA RISCA Our «Irishw translates a up with us doubts. Wit you simply understand

team

S to help out the RSH Any subject mage, he’s

ZANE KJ MAÑASCO If he is not shooting, he is pulling some serious magic on the computer. the Design madmen and genius together in a unique guy!

HAILEY ADRIENNE The pretty face of paintball shows us the feminine side of our sport.

DUARTE GOMES The mechanic in charge. Very few understand paintball markers and accessories as well as he does.

ADO woman» and puts and all our thout her, wouldn’t d us!

SUSANA NOVAIS Translates texts at a fascinating speed.

We haven’t given out the text yet and it’s already returned.

ANDRÉ GOMES One of the “kids” of the team. Dominates the English language. and helps us translate a few thousand words per issue.

GIL BELFORD With such a name he could only be a translator… or the owner of a waffle shop.

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Property of André Filipe Sobreira Garrido NIF: 227215290 Legal address: Rua General Taborda Nº3 - 1º 1070-137 Lisboa ERC Registration Nº 126231 Frequency: Quarterly

DIRECTOR EDITOR MARKETING ADVERTISEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

André Garrido (mail@grippaintball.com) André Garrido (mail@grippaintball.com) Carla Peixoto (carla.peixoto@grippaintball.com) GRIP - Photo Services Axel Gaudin by Jani Andersson

GRIP – Paintball Magazine or André Filipe Sobreira Garrido are not responsible for the content of the ads nor for the accuracy of the characteristics and features of the products and/or goods advertised. Their veracity and accordance with reality are fully and exclusively the responsibility of the advertisers and advertising agencies or companies.

IT IS STRICLY FORBIDEN TO COPY TEXTS AND IMAGES BY ALL MEANS

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editorial

By André Garrido Director GRIP

W

e’re back!

It’s been a while since GRIP’s last edition. Many have been asking the reason for this absence, but this was the initial plan of our team. We decided that paintball lives at the times of the great games, the great tournaments – not outside them.

We didn’t make this magazine for financial reasons, but as a channel to develop our sport.

Slowly, we noticed that what we wrote in these pages was taken into account by influential people in paintball. Initially, we thought it was only by chance; however, later it was impossible to ignore that many coincidences. We started seeing improvements in some tournaments, some extra attention to little details and, above all, we noticed that we had a major influence in the growth of the players’ mentality.

This reason only is enough to makes us feel a huge courage to keep on fighting!

In this edition we went back to Puget-Sur-Argens to tell you all about the tournaments of choice of all big teams. We still went by Venice, the tournament that is nowadays considered one of the most controversial of the past years. Regarding the recreational aspect, we went back once again to the Queen’s grounds to report North Vs. South.

We still had the pleasure to interview the one who is considered the current best European player of all time: Konstantin Federov.

Not less important was to address Karine Souza’s doctorate thesis, in which paintball’s influence in violent behavior is studied.

At the end, as always, there are our offers.

A new year, a new adventure!

The same style, the same will!

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It has

started The season begins:

the longing feelings left by a long winter, with only a few games make everyone move towards the big events to watch their favourite teams.

You can feel the frenzy in the air and no one restrains from screaming, cheering or booing the true paintball knights.

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highlight

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Europe as a whole It is now possible to find on GRIP’s website news about the most important league in the European context. From the United Kingdom through Germany, Italy, Netherlands, France, among other, you can find written content from some strong names of paintball from the old continent, such as Ash Chaplen, Alex Gaudin or Fabian Dietz. With this, GRIP hopes to create a unique location where it isn’t only possible to get to know results but also stay in touch with important events in those leagues.

JT Z300 Z300 Rifle is the new marker in the JT Splatmasters series. As expected the new marker has an increased range (over 35 metres) and a larger capacity. The Z300 also comes equipped with an adjustable «stock» that allows the user to obtain a higher degree of comfort and therefore performance.

3D Layout

PCB Game and Millennium Series came to an agreement that will allow players to have their paintball field’s layouts in virtual 3D. XField Paintball game editor will make available to teams and those curious of an innovative application, light and free, that allows not only to know the layout of the field but also the angles in between obstacles and thus helping to create a better game strategy.

Primetime Paintball TV October 2013 is the chosen month for the launch of Primetime Paintball TV, the new micro-channel about paintball. After Shoreline Paintball conducted a pilot program last year to understand if there was enough audience to justify a paintball show, they reached the decision that there was a desire for such a program and more, leading to the creation of a full paintball TV channel.

Primetime Paintball TV will congregate various media from many suppliers from the paintball industry, especially from the UK and North America.

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Richard Pike

R

ichard Pike is easily recognizable by his size. He’s a tall player and he likes to occupy the central base, in order to control the game. He started playing about ten years ago in Messingham Scunthorpe and he still plays, today, with a friend from those times.

In these ten years, he was only in two teams besides Disruption, those being UK Chameleons and the Fe. Paintball has taken him to many distant

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places such as Greece, Norway or Turkey, but the highest point of this year will be his trip to Russia, where he will be able to witness the fantastic tournaments he has been hearing about.

He has won some tournaments internationally, but says that one of the best feelings he had was to win Campaign Cup stage in 2011 for the SPL league, in front of his family.

He says that life at Disruption is never boring, emphasizing the companionship among everyone.

NICKNAME Pikey

DATE OF BIRTH 12/02/1985

PROFESSION Mechanical technician on an oil refinery.

STARTED PLAYING IN 2002

PLAYING FOR Birmingham Disruption

INTERNACIONAL EVENTS Millennium Series and other events and practices in places like Norway, Greece and Turkey.

EVENTS THAT HE’S WON AND WITH WHITCH TEAMS 1st Place SPL with Disruption in 2011 3rd Place Campaign Cup with Fe Three times champions in CPPS

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT Winning at home in the Campaign Cup in 2011 Winning his first professional game in CPL in St. Tropez in 2012

Text: André Garrido

profile

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Puget Sur Argens 2013 was slow to arrive. The last stage of this event had been held in October and many were eager to get back and play on the field and to watch the games of the best teams in Europe and the World.

Text: AndrĂŠ Garrido

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By Handy Tims

This first stage wasn’t at all the most desired location regarding players’ preferences and the organization’s. As far as GRIP knows, this competition was to be held in Milan, Italy, even though this was only backstage talk, where most things come across as rumors most of the time.

In the social media there was an announcement with some pomp, with bets being made in between players about the location where the competition would be held. Many asked not to do it in St. Tropez, like last year.

One thing is certain: it wasn’t in St.

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Tropez. And it wasn’t for one reason only: because last year it also wasn’t in St. Tropez.

In 2012, in a marketing gameplay, the Millennium Series (MS) gave it that name, but many complained and actually mocked that.

This year they changed the name to the true location – Puget-Sur-Argens.

If doing this competition on an unwanted place already wasn’t a negative factor to an organization as MS, days before the competition, in one of the nights, several obstacles and grid systems were sabotaged, making them completely obsolete. This kind of vandalism was news to our sport and

soon associated to the small war existent there is no competition with rental houses between the two international competitions: as close to the field as in Puget-Sur-Argens.

MS and CPS. One thing is sure, Slava, CPS’ They’re small houses with three beds and head of organization and MS player for one sofa bed, with a little kitchen and the ICON team, showed worries a bathroom. The conditions aren’t about the situation and soon got like a five star hotel, especially This himself away from these kinds when three or four paintball year the of attitudes. Fortunately for players filled with dirt stay over championship all MS players these setbacks for three nights. But, let’s be promises are usually anticipated by the honest, we’ve all spend the to be the most organization and were altered night in much worse places for competitive in good time. the love for this sport. ever.

Even though there was Regarding the complex itself, unwillingness from the players regarding it was set the same way as last year: the choice of location, one thing is sure, CPL and SPL fields side by side, with its

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respective benches, and in the back of the played seemed to be in slow motion, as all benches the entire commercial compound, players took care to not get injured by a false with big brands stands such as Empire, move.

Dye, Maxs, Planet Eclipse, Anthrax, among Media members still encountered a new many others. The nice weather that struck policy where only authorized members could the location allowed the spectators to film, even existing specific authorizations take advantage of a landscape worthy of to each echelon. The offenders have to pay big paintball games. In the back, in the 5000€. Accordingly to that, this prohibition commercial zone, there were the other also includes players that cannot film with division fields. their GoPros, which seems a complete The commercial zone looked identical to nonsense to us.

2012, however the bar area was renewed, What’s noticeable in the Millennium and now being more central and covered from the probably nowhere else is the familiar feeling rain and the sun. Some shadow areas were of constant looming. Most players know each still offered to every participant so other; they are friends, even though that they can protect themselves in the field they do the worst This from the heat felt through the atrocities to each other. And year’s news competition. And it was still this feeling isn’t only related was the new interesting to see that the whistle at the ten to the players but to all the little stands existent last seconds mark: less Millennium technical team that year, such as HK and Anthrax, year after year are there to try confusion and doubled up their size, which and give their best. fewer false shows that even with economic This year the championship starts. difficulties worldwide, paintball promises to be one of the most still continues to grow, at least regarding competitive, if not the most competitive products related with personal style. of all, at least regarding CPL league. The The negative point regarding the complex presence of the northern American champions is related to one of the most important Houston Heat, who came to substitute the “pieces” of the game – the floor. Let’s be Damage, and the flag team from Empire – honest and rough about it: it’s impossible to Infamous, raised the bar for this league. demand such a high payment from the teams Canadian neighbors Impact, which year and the players, those being professional after year, in a partnership with Dynasty, or amateur, when one of the key-pieces take complete control of the European of every competition game is completely tournaments, is another of the excellent unpredictable. And we’re not talking about teams in this competition. If it wasn’t enough a gap from one or other hole in the ground; that those teams made a great championship, we’re talking about trenches where some we can still add the obvious ArtChaos and the athletes even got injured. The way SPL teams newcomers Polar Bears, not to mention the

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international TonTons and the DYE European not everything is bad, as a smaller number of team – Nexus. Obviously that any of the other teams made the schedule much more stressteam may bring surprises in a division free, especially for the referees who for a where speed and intelligence are long time haven’t had an adequate combined with an extreme calendar to the professionalism creativity. that they represent.

Poison Ivy But we’ll get to this However, it has been are the division. disclosed that the Bitburg ambassadors It was noticeable that the competition will have an for women’s number of teams enrolled in accentuated increase of teams, paintball. this Millennium competition obligating a rise in the number of was smaller, maybe because vacancies in the 2nd and 3rd Division. the location didn’t please everyone The big news that maybe, for many, or probably for economic reasons. What’s came discreetly, was the use of the whistle certain is that less than 21 teams were here at the ten seconds. Instead of only doing in this competition compared to last year. But the startup whistle, there will be now a

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whistling sound during the ten seconds, at every second. It’s another way to make sure there are no mistakes in the start offs, when there are other whistles in the field and, at the same time, to avoid false stars because everyone is aware of the countdown.

As normal, the turnover of the Division 3 is enormous; there are teams that are only going to one or two competitions to try the Millennium format. So, it’s no strange thing that two of the teams that were on the top four places have never been to the European

competition. With a total of 24 teams, it was soon understood that those were the ones fighting in the finals, because they were all in first place in their groups, without having big difficulties to reach that position. In the quarter finals the only one who couldn’t win for 2:0, in the division where you play race to three, were the Evil Men that won by 2:1, passing through to the semifinals. At this point all games are harder, yet nonetheless Apocalypses won without big complications, while the Evil Men and Bulldog’s game was

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2:1, ending Evil Men’s lucky run. The final to see a team solely composed of female were really thought-out games that forced members, Poison Ivy, which achieved a sixth all teams to fight to the end, both games place in this competition. We hope they ending at 3:2. In the fight for first place continue to improve because, without a the Apocalypses overcame Bulldog, doubt, the success of this team may while in the third place fight mean more female players joining Dogs D’ Hitsquad beat Evil Men. our sport. In this preliminary Amour awaits In the Division 2 the only the arrival of Ollie phase, only two teams stood returning team in the top out for their results, Extreme Lang to recover places is Elite. Last year they and Joker. The first won all from the disaster got sixth place overall and a games by 4:1, while the second they had in fourth place in Paris – Disney. It’s won two games by 4:0; in the France. interesting to notice that Italian third they had more difficulties teams have improved and after last year against Black Legion, yet still won by where Scorpions Milano went up a division, 4:2. In the round of 16 there were all kind this year they already have two teams in the of games: easy, endless, and those clutch fourth and fifth place overall. It’s curious points that were fought to the very last

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second. In this phase, Poison Ivy, Lucky 15s, Icon 2, Italian Idols, Diaspora, Neapolis, Low Life and Uddevalla stood out. In the quarterfinals, almost everyone got a 4:0 or a 3:0, except for the Italian duel between Extreme and Italian Idols, where the first team came

out as a winner by 4:3. At the semifinals the same Extreme had difficulties against Elite and lost the game by 3:2. Regarding the other disputed semifinal, Diasporta won with the same result against Lucky 15s. The finals, contrary to what was expected, were

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easy games for the victors. Elite won by 4:1 was possibly Dogs D’ Amour, mostly due to against Diaspora and Lucky15s won by 4:0 the team’s diminishing ranks as Chad George against Extreme Neapolis. that this year plays with Houston Heat in CPL. In the division above – Division 1 – it’s However, better results are expected from interesting to see that Scorpion Milano, them in the nest events, when Oliver Lang another Italian team, got second place comes into play with the Greek team. In the overall after they went up a division last year. preliminary stages it’s clearly noticeable that Obviously the help of Max Lundqvist is one of we’re in a really tough division, because all the reasons for success, but the teams bet teams that move forward lost only one game. all they can to win. In this division things are In the next stage the teams that stood out more serious as any mistake or any unfocused were newcomers Force Majeaure that won moment may dictate the course of the game. by 4:0 the Dagnir Dae and the RMG that won In the first phase the team that stood out was the Kosmos by 4:1. In the quarter-finals the Fighter Pro-Shar, which won all the games in only team that didn’t have any difficulty in the group stage, winning again in the winning their game was London Tigers round of 16 against Vision PPC. that steamrolled Boost Air by 4:0.

In this stage, all teams won by The remaining games all ended CPL is, one point difference only, by at 4:3, except for the game comparing to 4:3, 3:2, except for Scorpian between Comin At Ya and Ugly the rest of the Milano that won by 4:2. Until Ducklins that was won by 3:2 by leagues, like the the finals, the results of the Comin At Ya. At the semifinals adults’ pool is to winning teams demonstrated everyone fought without mercy, the children’s easy victories. Even the final showing that no point would pool. between GFI London Defiance and escape in the final classification.

Scorpian Milano,was an effortless match In the A group, Comin At Ya fought with for the British that won 4:0 against the Italian London Tigers fixing the result at 4:2 and team. The fight for third place was one until in the B Group the Russians Force Majeure the end and Instinct Gemoss came out on top won for 3:2 in a game finished by the time. against Bad Boys, by 4:3.

The fought for the first and the third place Another step in the division ladder, where studied games, smart, very tactical towards the higher standing teams; SPL is, which resulted in a final 3:2. The Russians without a doubt, where teams are made, defeated Comin At Ya by 3:2, getting the first where teams show if they’re playing seriously place. Identical result for the other game or only exchanging a few paintballs. There’s that opposed London tigers who won against a clear line between those who pay with all Hellwood Paris. their sweat and pain on the field and those CPL is to the other leagues as the adults’ who let money out the barrel without any pool is to the children’s pool. There is no purpose. The strangest result of this league comparison with what’s going on in the

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field of this division and any other division. without questioning the referees teams’ job There are points that take very few seconds constantly. to be scored, simply because one of In the Group A composed with Art the teams staggered; the referees’ Chaos, Polar Bears, Syndicate and quality is obviously superior and Carnage, was a too easy group It would its common to see a whole for the two Russian teams. The be more likely team with penalties because a Art Chaos didn’t lose any game for Breakout Spa player tried to hide or clean a to win the lottery in the group stage, winning shot; there aren’t shots made the first two games for 5:0 and then to win any by mistake and they’re made making a game worthy of a final of the games. without difficulty where there against the Polar Bears, ending are ten or more photographers on with a 5:4. The Polar Bear won the the field. Besides that there’s also a remaining 2 games and went through in commentator, in direct communication with second place. the field chief, explaining and stirring things In Group B the classification order wasn’t up with the crowd, contrary to last year when surprising. Infamous got first place, but even he showed himself very professional and winning the three games they had difficulties

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in the first game against Icon. The presence of Infamous is one of the big updates of this competition and what stands out the most is its black equipment with some players wearing masks with skull shapes. Icon got second place and, except for the game against Infamous, they won the remainder against Disruption and the Ducks.

Group C was the death group. From the start, Breakout Spa knew that is was most likely to win the lottery than to win any of these games. Even so, they still tried to make life harder for the North American

Houston Heat. Houston Heat were probably the surprise of the competition, complaining about the European referees to justify their results. Fact is that there’s a tradition that many northern American teams have difficulties adapting to the European style of play .Their result of two defeats by 5:1, fuel the row that this team without the Russians, which play for Art Chaos in Millennium, is nothing more than a trivial team. First up were the Canadians Impact that have the most beautiful game to watch, where nothing is left to chance and supported

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By Handy Tims

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had a very difficult game facing Polar Bears. in the mastery of some individualities as Another surprise game was the defeat of Art Tim Montressor, Ryan Moorhead or Justin Chaos, that started by winning 2:0 but then Rabackoff. This team won all games by 5:1, Impact turned over the result and won by 5:4. leaving the second place to the Tontons that There were only 2 final games left. Impact, lost the game against the Canadians. with all their experience, aggressiveness and In the last group everything was individual creativity would be in advantage uncertain. In first place there was Nexus, facing tactical Tontons, bold and at the same which we had seen weeks before in the CPS time manipulative in their way of playing. in Venice playing like an amateurish team.

But before there would be a fight for the And not only because Marcello Margott was third place, where the Polar Bears would playing for the Brits can this rising form be have the opportunity to get revenge from the justified. They played well, had their lessons result they had at the group stage against Art studied, everything was going perfectly Chaos. well. Solid games were played by the However in this Russian combat, British team and they were one the Chaos artists bested the Polar of the most coherent teams The Russian Bears, fixing the result at 5:1. with victories of 5:1, 5:0 and school is In the final, everyone 5:0. Outrage got second probably the supported the French team. place, leaving behind Vision best school This is not only a duel and Instinct. Instinct, after a in the world between teams, nor between dreamy past year got a 13th of paintball. countries, but especially between place. continents: America VS Europe. From In the quarter-finals, Tontons the benches, clapping, whistling, shouting changed. They became an assassin team, is heard. Everyone was agitated. Probabilities ready to shred whoever came across them. pointed a victory for Impact as after all the They took all the experience they got in the French only won one Millennium competition, United States and gave a paintball lesson to in London, last year. It was a relentless game, Infamous, winning by 4:2. In another game, very emotional with dream gameplays that Art Chaos went for a walk in the park against many times were risky. Point by point the the French Outrage winning by 5:1. Identical game was being made, and the last team luck had Impact winning 5:2 against Icon. The touching the buzzer was the Tontons. The most disputed game was the one opposing upsurge was big in the benches, the team was Nexus against the Polar Bears. The Russians, hugging and thanking by throwing the masks who came from the inferior division, showed and the harness to the audience. One thing is that they weren’t up for playing around and sure, these Tontons aren’t the same team as won against Nexus by 5:4. last year. Their goal is simple: to dethrone Art In the semifinals Tontons continued to show Chaos as the best European team. they didn’t want to lose in their country and

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Puget-Sur-Argens was a breath of fresh year, and also having a new team in the first air regarding the competition herself. place in SPL. Excellent paintball games were The next competition is already played and many times fought in May 24, in one of the most Tontons’ until the last second. The classical European compounds objective presence of the non-European – Bitburg – and one thing is is simple: to teams makes the performance sure, everything is still out in dethrone Art level go up and forces “our” the open, if last year there Chaos as the best players to make an extra effort. were clearly two favorites, Art European team.

It is still noticeable that the Chaos and Dynasty, this year no Russian school is probably the best one knows what could happen. For paintball school in the world, shown by now the French Tontons won, but we’re them having two teams in the top four places certain that the competition won’t have them at the CPL, one of them rising to CPL last laughing for long. •

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the referees

By Domingos Leitão

We’ve had the opportunity to talk about rules that never played the sport are embracing a and regulations before, namely about changes career in refereeing from scratch. Also, there and differences in rule books existent around are a growing number of organizations that the world. It’s time to dedicate our time to regulate tournaments and support panels of the people with the obligation to apply the referees in their different strands (PSP, MS, rule books in the field – referees.

EPBF, National Federations, among others) As it is common knowledge, the first which regulate the tournaments and provide paintball referees were also players, which support for referees in various forms. was why it was frequent to hear, after the Nowadays, in the top tournaments and end of the game, exchanges of comments divisions, it’s common for the referees to insinuating biased refereeing. Referees be paid, which also allows another kind of were accused of favouring Commonly, there were insinuations the teams’ progress in the tournament, and the payment of biased refereeing due to the fact that was, most of the times, extra the referees were players themselves. points for the tournament ‘s ranking.

At that same time, there weren’t demand and commitment expected from regulatory structures either to monitor or to them. This specialization also has been act disciplinary against faulty refereeing on promoting an improvement in the relationship the tournaments, or to protect referees from between players and referees, reducing the pressure from the team or players during the number of conflicts and increasing the respect tournaments. for the work of the refereeing teams.

Fortunately, in recent years, these trends One of the focal points to have a successful have been reversing, and there are more top-notch tournament that aims to be and more players quiting playing to commit internationally recognized by the paintball themselves to refereeing, or even people community is, without a doubt, the hiring of a

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dedicated, professional refereeing team.

How can one become a paintball referee?

Firstly, you have to be sure you want to follow these steps; then, you need to have total physical and mental availability,

regardless the number of working days.

These 3 elements are mandatory and crucial.

Refereeing isn’t just about applying the rules; making the right decisions is essential to rise to the challenge.

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Naturally, referees with little practice at Field Chief; first hesitate when called to intervene, but • Use right and adequate signposting for that’s nothing that practicing can’t perfect. each one of the occurring situations (it helps With experience you also get the sensitivity communication with the players and the needed to feel the pulse of the game, so audience); that it can flow naturally, only interfering to • Adopt a dynamic positioning during the oversee and objectively apply the rules.

Summing it up, referees must keep the Refereeing isn’t only about discipline and order and let the games applying the rules, but also about flow naturally.

Bellow, we will point out some stepping up to the challenge. guidelines that a referee must follow during the fixture he proposed to oversee: games that allows him to make a decision in • Apply the rules and regulations so that the shortest amount of time with the least the game can unfold accordingly to its degree of uncertainty; principles; • Have an exemplar behaviour during the • Report every occurring situation to the whole fixture;

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• Reassure the absence of distraction in and outside the field; • Be punctual, coherent and consistent; • Keep a consistent thread of communication with other referee in every situation • Move in the player’s direction for any needed action.

Long story short, the referee’s duties go from making the right judgment of elimination by impact to the exclusion of players due to infraction of the existent rules and regulations.

To finalise, the referee must keep in mind to always be discreet.

The centre of attention must be the player and never the referee. •

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areas of the field

By Axel Gaudin

Paintball, as all other team sports, isn’t an if they make a little mistake, since in that exception to the rule: each player has a field case there isn’t someone behind the defense position, therefore, a characteristic game line to correct that mistake. In football, we play. call that «l’effet de zone de Laurens».

If we take top-level football as an Crudely we can divide a football field in example, a striker is exclusively….a striker; a three and assign a color to each one of them. defender, a defender, and so on.

The defense zone is red, the central zone is Rarely can we find a defender in the orange and the offense zone is green. This training starting a game as a striker, or vicecolor code clearly indicates which are the versa. Each one isn’t only worried about areas where risks can be taken, and in what performing their role of striker or defender, measure. but also to participate in the collective work In the green zone, in other words, the zone during the course of the game. where strikers progress, a player may dare to The way to play football and the risks It’s important to understand the taken in the moment we have the ball possession depends, mostly, of the game effects of the zones in paintball: play position and the position the player red, orange and green. occupies in the field. To be clearer, a defender attempts to re-launch the game if he has the ball’s possession, or tackle take a risk to score a goal, and he may risk the ball if he’s on a defensive moment. Mid losing the ball possession, because behind him fielder joins offense and defense, while there are still two areas his team can defend. the striker seeks, above all, to score a goal But a defender in the red zone cannot take and to perform some defensive work. Good those risks; he cannot lose the ball, because defenders rarely maintain situations of ball he’s liable to suffer an opponent’s goal. possession, because that implies taking This field area effect exists in paintball too certain risks, making it extremely dangerous but it isn’t applied in the same way, simply

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because all players have in their possession a marker that allows them to eliminate anyone in any part of the field. It’s fundamental to be able to understand if the position we’re playing in allow us to take risks or not, if we’re remaining in the game or not, and, finally, to estimate if we can put in jeopardy our own elimination neglecting what it can bring to the team.

I´m going to give two examples of both positions: - Let’s imagine we’re strikers. We move forward on the side of the field without taking any big risks, we’re waiting for our opponent to miss a detail or to make a

mistake, we try to force the opponent to retreat to the obstacle and we try to move forward. Once we get to 50 the hardest part is done, however, it’s at this point most mistakes are made. Many times, the striker says «I’m here, now it’s at full speed». It’s a mistake. This area is a red zone. We can achieve a huge advantage on the opponent; consequently, we should try, at any cost, not to be eliminated. It’s better not to make our move if two opponents are waiting for us on each side of the obstacle; we are doing our job, monopolizing the two players just for being in that zone, without even firing.

It isn’t smart to build a good move during

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a minute or a minute and a half, to achieve we cannot be eliminated. We should, instead, the 50 and afterwards to get into «war» with take advantage of our field positioning. the opponent, ignoring if he’s better than - In this second example, we’re back ourselves or not and to put a whole good players, our striker got a good breakthrough move at risk, maybe even cause our own and he’s at 50, and we’re two obstacles elimination, when time ran in our favor. In behind him. The opponents’ team couldn’t this case, we should wait for the opponents’ make it further than our «mirror» line. We mistake, if there is one; if there In the red zone we should take isn’t, we should keep alive and wait that our teammates take advantage of our position on the field. advantage of the fact that two opponents are focused on us. have, then, advantage on the field because Going back to the zone issue, until we our striker is more advanced than theirs. Our get to the 50’s obstacle, the striker is in an role, in this case, is doubled. To help our orange zone, in other words, there will be striker having a better use of its obstacle, some risks until reaching that zone; but, once pushing the opponents that are firing at it’s reached, we are in a red zone, meaning, him, but, above all, preventing that the

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opponent team can recover its field delay, blocking their striker so we cannot move up the field. In this case, we shouldn’t go into crazy wars or take the risk to be eliminated; our opponent has a delay of two obstacles regarding our striker, which gives us a «Joker». We should, at all costs, bother him and stop him from going up but without getting eliminated: we are in a red zone, it’s forbidden to be eliminated, because no one is behind us to prevent the opponent’s team progression on the field.

We should fire to the obstacle’s entry and, in case the opponent goes to war with us and it’s dangerous, we should retreat slightly and fire to the entry of the next obstacle.

While we’re shooting, we keep on blocking helping our striker. If it isn’t possible to shoot, the opponent will have reached the next obstacle, being now only one obstacle way from our striker. In this case, we should, at all costs, stop the adversaries to get even with us regarding territory domination.

We are now in an orange/green zone, the «Joker» was used and we have to give it all to maintain our advance.

Finally, the notion of zone is, in a way, different regarding other team sports, because it’s not only conditioned by the field position, but also by the situation at certain timing. We should be able to evaluate at what time we can take a risk, because a bad timing may lead on to our elimination. All this is paintball art: knowing when to change our timing and correctly alternate between aggressiveness and game control.

In order to understand all of this better, in the next number we’ll see how to apply, in

a real situation, all of these steps regarding the three key positions on the field – this is, striker, midfielder and defender - correctly defining the role of each one in the game.

Meanwhile, keep in mind that high level paintball’s played, above all, with the head, and not with the marker. •

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We interviewed the four most mediatic paintball players that everyone will see this year.

We talked with Greg Hastings, Sonny Lopez, Wolf and Joshua Boomer, the players behind the Brotherhood Tour.

Text: André Faria Photos: DR

GRIP: How did you manage to join Sonny Lopez , Greg Hastings and Wolf all in the same «Joint Task Force»?

Boomer: Once upon a time, a Wolf came to a new team captain for an interview. Two years later, after many matches, events and big game scenarios together ODST Paintball wanted to give something back to the sport they love. Relationships with Sonny and Greg existed and I tempted fait to be honest. As Brotherhood is the main drive behind every paintballer, it was very easily seen as a positive venture for paintball and thus: with Sonny Lopez, Greg Hastings, Wolf, Aztek, Sarge Morin and some ODST Paintballers, we intend to make a video that will not be soon forgotten.

GRIP: What are your thoughts on this adventure?

Wolf: I think it’s going to be an Amazing experience, we get to meet and play with players from all over Europe, and share the fun together. The three of us have met many times on the field as friends, but now we get

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Brothe to share a Journey together!

Boomer: I think this is going to be the rock star tour of a lifetime. Playing paintball against the Worlds’ best, with the Worlds’ best! The true warrior test without any long term side effects!!

erhood tour Sonny: I cannot wait for this! I feel so blessed and I am excited to share this adventure with such an outstanding bunch of guys. The whole idea of shooting a documentary really peaked my interest because that can be used to reach out to new potential players and those

who might have tried it once and didn’t get hooked the first time. Ultimately this can be a vehicle to bring more people into the sport.

Greg: I’ve been to these events already, so I know what to expect. These are some of the best events on some of the best fields

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«Playing paintball against the Worlds’ best, with the Worlds’ best!» anywhere. To role with my boys on this one, is epic. Teaming up with mates that have the same passion to grow the sport makes this event better. Our plan to update fans daily will be very interesting! I have to admit I’m a little nervous. (smiles) GRIP: What do you expect to find in this tour, that it’s different from other scenario

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games?

Boomer: This is basically the Woodstock of paintball. This tour will feature in four different countries, it´s Paintball on a multinational platform; as well as technology, marker, and equipment reviews from the players who use it every day! You’ll go into the life of a pro paintball for an entire month and by the end of the documentary, it will

feel as if you were there yourself. Using more than ten Replay HD Cameras, we will capture every angle and produce a cinema grade filmography.

GRIP: Have you guys had any previous international experience?

Sonny: Yes, I have. I have been fortunate enough to have played in Aruba, Canada, Malaysia, France, maybe more, I can’t remember any more right now though. I have attended events in a couple of other countries where I did not play, including the Netherlands. But this tour is a bit different, most overseas adventures are for one event and one country at a time. In this tour we are going to multiple events and a couple of countries. This is going to be special.

Greg: I won my first pro event in Denmark with Ground Zero years ago, so I am welltraveled in Europe for paintball, but the friends made, and the adventure keeps me going back. I have the worst time traveling into Canada! The border guys are really tough on me. But I manage to get in…and escape.

Wolf: Personally I’ve played all over the US and Canada, once in Mexico, and England, it’s nice to expand the resume.

Boomer: Only Canada, I am very excited to upgrade my game to the next level!

GRIP: Paintball is paintball everywhere in the World, but what «turns you on» to play internationally?

Sonny: I think it is very interesting how paintball is viewed so differently in so many places. In some countries you can’t shoot your gun at such an high velocity. In some

«Our plan is to update fans daily.»

countries you can’t wear camo. In some countries it’s considered nearly a national sport and the royal family comes to the event. I really enjoy seeing the different promoters, in different countries, take

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«This is going to be the rock star tour of a lifetime» 50

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unique approaches to the games based on their laws and limitations. I used to think there were never going to be any cool players’ parties. But the PALS and World Cup Asia (WCA) showed me you can throw a legit paintball players’ party.

Allan Phang and the entire WCA staff and their supporting companies threw the most amazing party at the WCA this past November. It gave me hope that others can see the WCA players’ party success and emulate it. That was a party that I will never forget. Travelling for international paintball games is a dream come true and that certainly «turns me on». I am alive when I play paintball and I am on cloud when I am travelling to a foreign place to play and make new friends.

Greg: Paintball is not paintball everywhere in the World. I disagree.

The game is different to me when I play outside the States. Maybe it is because I’m usually on one of the few Americans who play these events. I usually only run into Army soldiers stationed in Germany, or folks who have moved overseas, but I feel like I need to play harder, and show honour and fair play harder. So what turns me on? I play with way more intensity when in another country. I have to.

Wolf: Paintball varies depending on where you go, in some countries only Adults are allowed to play, and it is really serious, In France there have been fields that just let you play with the eye portion of paintball masks, which seems

crazy to North American players. To play on an International level, especially in scenario games is such a different experience, the turn on is to learn how other cultures make the sport that much more challenging!

GRIP: Finally, a few words for the GRIP Magazine readers and fans?

Soony: To all the GRIP Magazine readers and fans, let´s play some ball; meet up with us at these events! My final words are: Follow your dreams at all costs. Never listen to someone who is negative and who always seems to have a dark cloud over their head. They will never go anywhere thinking like that and will hold you back from your dreams. Please

reach out to all of us on this tour, to meet up with you at the games we have listed and please support our sponsors! Check out the ODST sometime and be sure to watch the documentary when it comes out. We can all help promote paintball together!

Greg: Thanks for covering my Tour of Duty and especially the Brotherhood leg. We all appreciate the paintball media for what you do. I can’t wait to travel with Wolf, as we’ve never traveled together. Sonny and I have, on many occasions, and to run with the OSDT squad will be amazing. I am sure we’ll be creating some very compelling media to share with fans!

Wolf: The Brotherhood tour will be must

«The Brotherhood tour is the Woodstock of paintball.»

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do experience, we will be shooting videos, paintball, and having an absurd amount of fun! I want to meet all the cool players who have left me comments, and sent emails, and maybe get in a few after parties at the clubs.

«Where The Ladies at!?!?!?!»

Boomer: I thank all the readers and fans of this tour! We promise to put on quite the show, stay tuned and watch daily for antics and behind the scenes footage that may be left on the cutting room floor! •

PERFORMANCE GO E LV1

GEO3

AD0023

Editorial Note: You can follow the Brotherhood tour at: https://www.facebook.com/ODSTeams

«We will use more than ten Replay HD Cameras, we will capture every angle and produce a cinema grade filmography.»

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e y e y e e Âť advertisement

ETE K4

A ETH

ANYWAY YOU LOOK AT IT! 53

Š 2013 Copyright Planet Eclipse Ltd. Eclipse, the Estar Logo Device, LV1, Geo, Etek and Etha are all either design trademarks, registered trademarks or trademarks of Planet Eclipse Ltd. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Photos: GRIP Design: H

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Konstantin Fe

I’m kind of living a

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a dream.»

We spoke with the one whom is probably the best player of recent times. He’s too calm and unexpectedly shy, something we did not expect in a player of this caliber.

Text: André Garrido

GRIP: Some people look at you and just see a pretty boy who spends the time playing paintball but you have a course in Economic and Business Law. Are you connecting with your studies in any way?

Konstatin Fedorov: No, actually it was just for studying, you know. Right now I’m not interested in being a lawyer or whatever.

I’m not like working as lawyer.

GRIP: What do you for a living?

KF: Actually I live for the fun. I play paintball, I do whatever I want, riding motorcycles and a lot of stuff that I like. And actually my life is really (stops)… I’m kind of living a dream.

I have a job that I love, plus I’m playing paintball, plus I can travel a lot, so it’s amazing!

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GRIP: One of the big myths about the Russian players is their amount of paintball trainings. How many times a week do you train?

KF: (Laughs) It depends; if I fell that I’m not comfortable with some situation on the field I go and practice myself or with Mishka on the field in Moscow. We can do whatever we want but most of the time we train two days a week plus some special drills.

GRIP: What do you do the rest of the day?

KF: In the rest of the day I just hang out with friends and I work. First of all going to work and then hanging out with friends and then I go home really late! Three or four hours of sleep… that’s fine with me!

GRIP: In your profile page of Houston Heat you say that you like to cook. Do you really like to make some stuff in the kitchen or is it only a pickup line for the ladies?

KF: (Laughs) No it’s not a pickup line. You know, I cook for myself and I like to do a lot of tests and things. And if I like to do something special maybe I cook it for someone. But I definitely cook for myself.

GRIP: Last year you were PSP champion, European champion with your team and representing your country. How special do you feel in our sport?

KF: Last year was really crazy because we won all the series: PSP, Championship World Cup, plus Millennium, CPS and Russia. It was a huge year… I don’t know how to explain it; you just have to feel it. You play for the win and it’s kind of a dream. But you just want to be on the top, so you have to win.

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GRIP: What is the felling of entering in any event and having everyone looking at you?

KF: You know… sometimes it is weird because… I don’t know how… but people want to learn a little bit more and I have

«CPS is not our history.

We are only a team.» huge experience travelling around the world, playing with other people plus I have a personal life, things that I like to do and I never tell people what to do but everyone

don’t know…

GRIP: In another interview you said that you taught a young 12 years old in Sweden. Do you feel proud of being a reference to this little kid and at the same time to teach him what you do best?

KF: My dream is to be in a really young and hungry team. That was my dream. And I like talking with them because they are really excited, they know who I am because I play on Art Chaos or Houston Heat. They really worship me, they practice with me and it’s more exciting to the kids. If I see those guys I feel great.

GRIP: A more serious subject. Obvious you won’t tell me how much your salary is. But do you consider yourself to be well paid?

KF: I couldn’t tell you exactly but it’s enough for me right now. (Laughs)

has their special things… It’s weird but, at the same time, if you are playing at a top level if you make one mistake, everyone will say that you fucked up, but if you stay at the top people like to look at you. In my opinion it’s good but at the same time it is bad, but I do the best for my team.

GRIP: You started playing at 16 years old, while most of the players start playing at around 20 years of age. How do you think that starting at such a young age made you the player you are today?

KF: I don’t know… It’s a huge question! I

GRIP: You are 28 years old… With that salary can you say you are granted for a good future?

KF: Life is life and nobody knows how is it going to be. Paintball is not a big sport but I have a good salary.

GRIP: After you end your career what will you do?

KF: Hhaummmm (laughs) I never plan my life.

If it comes it comes. And I pulled some risky moves for the enjoyment of life and sport.

GRIP: Ryan Greenspan said last year that Dynasty doesn’t have the budget for you.

Are you so expensive that the most

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famous and merchandised team in paintball industry can’t pay you?

KF: (Laugh a lot) That’s sweet! I don’t know, there a lot of rumors coming back and forward but who knows how to talk about that?

GRIP: Everyone loved to see you playing with Dynasty. Do you think it will be possible for this to happen?

KF: Nothing is impossible, right? (laughs) GRIP: How do you deal with more than 60 trips a year?

KF: Last year I had 67 flights total. That’s weird because my body needs to adapt to different times all the time.

GRIP: You are probably the best creative player in paintball history. In any moment do you think you will fail when you jump a mini-bunker or you come to the inside of the snake?

KF: I’m just enjoying the moment. I never think about the game plan and I just look at the opposite team to see how they stand on the breakout. I can’t be 100% sure that I know where they go, but it is the moment… if I fell the moment, I go.

GRIP: Where does this inspiration come from?

KF: Just from the excitement of playing. I can’t tell you how to practice that. Every pro player has their special things and if you look at Ryan Greenspan, Nicky Cuba or anyone else… It’s just a mental thing. If you enjoy the moment you can do whatever you want.

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How you feel the field, how you see all the players; it is like everything is replicated in one spot and one time.

GRIP: Many times you have to give autographs and sign some merchandising like you have done some minutes ago. Do you like doing this?

KF: I can’t say I don’t like it, but it is like giving something back to our fans. You can’t do it just for yourself, you just need to give back all the time. If you are on top, you need to give it back constantly.

«I go home really late! Three or four hours of sleep… that’s fine with me!»

GRIP: Do you think fans are the biggest part of the teams?

KF: Yeah! Without the fans teams couldn’t feel really good. We have a lot of fans, I appreciate that.

GRIP: Despite your fame and all the marketing around you, you are not a very commercial player. You are not really into social networks and you don’t expose yourself too much. Don’t you feel comfortable in this role?

KF: I can’t say that I do not feel comfortable.

My life is a private thing, that’s what I think.

Paintball life is different from social life. My private thing is my private thing and everyone has their private life.

GRIP: In one of your interviews someone

said that you had one hit in your tank and that you didn’t noticed…

KF: Yeah! Yeah! I just couldn’t say that I entirely cheated because my school is the Russian school. In Art Chaos we follow the clean play, the fair play. We don’t like cheating because in paintball you have to be honest with yourself.

GRIP: You have never cheated?

KF: Haaam No! I haven´t… I really… No!

People on the side line can watch everything.

If they see you cheating one time, you are fucked up. So this is it… I don’t like to cheat. If I don’t cheat and get a hit, it is my mistake; I just have to say I’m sorry, that’s my bad.

GRIP: In another interview you were asked which was the next team to play against yours and you didn’t know (it was Dynasty).

Do you play like this all time, like if you

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teams, and a lot of different leagues.

GRIP: Can you adapt when you are on PSP and when you are in Millennium?

KF: Yeah, I can adapt because they are two different styles. I’m sure I can.

GRIP: Since we are talking about America; one of the most talked moments of your career was when you changed to Philly Americans some years ago. Do you think that was the crucial moment for you to become the professional you are today?

KF: A long time ago I played with one team and they taught me a lot, but that chapter closed. Having said that, I respect those guys a lot. But most of the time I think the American league is bigger, I had already everything from Europe and I need experience. And I made this move to Philly and I got that experience. For a long time nobody left Legion and I did and I liked it.

This was a big move for me. don’t care who the next team is?

KF: Yes, most of the time I don’t know the bracket. So… (laughs). My job is just playing, I don’t care who I will play against. I’m on the field and if it is Dynasty or somebody else, it doesn´t make a difference.

GRIP: But Dynasty is a big team!

KF: I Know… But I fight all the time with myself not with teams.

GRIP: What kind of style of play do you prefer? American or European?

KF: The American style is stronger and they have a lot of experience, a lot of different

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GRIP: Even today you still say that Phillys is your favorite team. Why? KF: Phillys was a different team because we were not a family but big friends and we did

«Paintball is not a big sport but I have a good salary.» everything together. If we went to a bar, we would go together. There is nothing that can take these things away. Everybody supported everyone, and we became big, big friends.

And that’s why I like this team.

GRIP: Why did you come back to Russian

Legion after two years?

KF: The coach came to me and asked me if I wanted to return to the team and, at the same time, Phillys didn’t know if they could hold the team for that year. They told me it would be fine if I left. I said that I would like to try again with Legion and I found they were a little bit changed.

GRIP: Now you are in Houston Heat. You are always saying that you made this change thinking of the future. What does this mean?

KF: (Laugh) It means that if Houston Heat´s owner hadn´t called me, I might had left

professional paintball and start working and playing for fun. He called me and asked me if I wanted to be on the team and I said «Why not?». This was a crucial moment for me.

GRIP: Your change of teams was involved in some controversy with Red Legion. After more than a year have those problems vanished?

KF: I don’t like people saying bad thing about me. They never told anything about this to my face. That’s why I do not respect that… If you have something to tell me, you can tell it on my face. I don’t like people saying «hooo this guy just needs money, blablabla» or

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just needs that. This is not true!

GRIP: You took some team mates with you but Berdnikov stayed in Red Legion. Did this affect your relationship with him?

KF: Hoo No! No! No! Our friendship is our friendship. I just asked them if they wanted to leave, they could come with me and play.

The other guys told me «Yes, we want to leave! ». Alright, let’s do it!

GRIP: Why didn’t he go with the group?

KF: I don’t know. It’s probably better to ask him because I don’t like to speak for somebody else.

KF: Maybe, but just the players. The thing is that the emotional things and how players feel is probably different. Legion is a totally different story, they think about the commercial things too much.

GRIP: Is Houston Heat your ideal team?

KF: I can’t say that! I don’t know… good question!

GRIP: Some people say Houston Heat isn’t the same without you, like we saw right here in Millennium… what do you have to say about this?

«Everyone loved to see you playing with «Nothing is impossible, right?»

GRIP: In your Red Legion Dynasty.»

PSP profile you are one of the owners of Red Legion…

KF: Reallyyy? I’m the owner of the Red Legion? (Laughs) GRIP: So you don’t have any connections with the team?

KF: No! No! I’m still friends with a couple of them, but not with the management.

GRIP: Do you see a comeback to Red Legion in the near future?

KF: Never! Never, ever!

GRIP: Why? KF: I don’t like how they follow the business and the team. I don’t like it.

GRIP: For us Europeans it’s difficult to separate Red Legion and Art Chaos, because the base of the team was the same.

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KF: I just feel bad about it. They have young guys and they just need a little more experience and to be a little more creative.

GRIP: Do you think Ryan Greenspan coming to play with Houston Heat in Millennium will help them?

KF: I hope! But one player is just one player.

GRIP: And in the first event of this year in Dallas you didn’t pass the quarter-finals…

What happened?

KF: Hooo I don’t know… Some guys struggled.

It’s paintball!

GRIP: The motto of Houston Heat is: «One Team, One Family». Do you really feel that you are in a family?

KF: Very much! Very much! We are kind

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of from the other side of the wall when we arrive at Houston house, everyone makes it hard for us and you start feeling that you are in family.

GRIP: Is Houston Heat a better family than

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Art Chaos?

KF: Art Chaos is a different story. Houston is a commercial project. It’s totally different.

GRIP: How do you describe the year of 2012 with Art Chaos?

KF: Winning is always winning. You just need to defend it!

themselves. I was really sad but at the same time I was happy.

GRIP: Dynasty is the biggest team ever in the business. Art Chaos is the biggest European team. Do you think you will ever achieve their level?

KF: They have more options than we have.

Art Chaos appeared a little bit later than them… I don’t know. We can try, but history is the history. It’s like Michael Jordan and all the other guys… Who can dig them right now?

Nobody (laughs).

GRIP: Now you are European champions twice in a row. What do you expect for this season?

KF: We want to win that one! For sure!

GRIP: Who do you think would be your rivals this year?

KF: Impact, they have a really nice squad; Infamous played really well last year.

We will see…

GRIP: In Bitburg, Art Chaos was fourth. Most GRIP: Houston Heat is playing Millennium of the teams would be happy to get in the for the first time, but you are with Art final group, but I remember all of you «I never think about the game were very pissed off. What were your thoughts on that specific moment? plan, if I feel the moment, I go.»

KF: I just feel that I didn’t play 150%.

I think we lost because part of the guys was Chaos. What is the felling of having your not playing 100% and I wasn’t playing 150%. «family» in the other side of the field shooting at you?

GRIP: Did you think you might had lost the KF: Outside of the field we are friends, but Millennium because of that result? inside I just have to fight.

KF: No, I never think about the future.

I’m just living the moment. If you win the GRIP: The owner of Art Chaos plays with tournament, if you win every game, that’s it! you. How weird is it to have your «boss» playing with all the guys?

GRIP: Before Paris, Dynasty needed to be KF: It’s not really weird. You know, Sardar is a off the finals for you to win the Series. In really nice person. any moment did you think that this was possible?

GRIP: If you are annoyed with something KF: I was really surprised, because I never stupid he has done in the game… Will you thought that Dynasty would lose the spot yell at him as if he is any other player? in the finals. I was excited to play against KF: Never! You don’t yell at each other them again in the finals. I couldn’t say that because we are all professional players. someone have beat them… they just beat Yeah, sometimes we are pissed off but not

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everyone.

say anyone.

GRIP: Sardar says that you, Mishka, Sergei and Malloy play all the points. Why? KF: (Laughs) It’s kind of a fun story because he really trust us, he knows that we are all professionals and he made a joke, or maybe not a joke. But we were on his office, he was hanging a cup of coffee and said «you have to play and I just have to chill».

GRIP: Last year in GRIP’s ranking, voted by all the CPL captains, you second, just after Berdnikov. Do you think he is better than you?

KF: (Laughs) If people think… Why not?!

GRIP: Who do you think is the best of the four?

KF: I can’t say anyone is better. The four of us have different styles of play. I just can’t

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GRIP: It is well known that there is a little «war» between Millennium/GISportz and CPS. Despite this, the biggest GI European team is present in CPS. What is your position about this subject?

KF: I don’t like these fights. For me paintball is paintball. If someone wants to make a

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KF: That is a tough question. Right now I can’t say why. Maybe in the future, Mishka and I will try to make a professional school for kids, but right now I can’t say why.

tournament, why not?

GRIP: Do you have the power to say to GI Sportz: «I go to CPS»?

KF: No! No! No! This is not our history. We have to play and we are only a team.

GRIP: How important is for you to represent your country as a player?

KF: That means a lot to me because I like my country. (Become speechless)

«If Houston Heat´s owner hadn´t called me, I might have left professional paintball.»

GRIP: Russia has a very strict winter; however, Russia seems to be a factory of high quality aggressive teams. Where does this success come from?

GRIP: Why do Russians always wear a very strange combination of colours with purples, pinks and violets?

KF: Because we are different! (Laughs) •

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VE NI CE

The polemic tournament had its first event in Venice.

Is there a better place for a paintball tournament?

Texto: AndrĂŠ Garrido

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Most paintball players have heard of the to be broken, CPS would have done it: on Champion Paintball Series (CPS) at one the day of the event, everything had been point or another, even though this might be cleaned up and built, ready for action. the case because of the on-going conflict Perhaps naively we expected something much between the new CPS and the hardened bigger, as this is the second biggest European Millennium Series shark. paintball tournament, one that has been Keeping this war in mind, and with the giving the Millennium Series – a tournament desire to know the tournament that everyone with almost always 5 playing fields, spoilers is talking about we decided to go, for the first and other luxuries – a severe headache. There time, a few days before the event for one was, after all, only one field, and two areas reason – Venice. for players and shops, three restrooms and We took advantage of the partnership one small venue for food and drinks. The that CPS had with Quid Hotel Venice general public wasn’t even authorised on Airport, a 4 star hotel with an amazing location due to legal restrictions. With this architecture, stunning right from the exterior kind of conditions, how is this tournament to the decoration of each room. The so renowned? What sets it apart from

promotional price given to us other tournaments?

Several included breakfast and Wi-Fi First, the most obvious reason: players were in every hotel room. The best the presence of Art Chaos, seen visiting part of this partnership was Icon, Nexus, Valkyries, Camp the fact that we could use this Carnage, Polar Bears and many Venice days promotion for days even after other teams. Where else can before the first the paintball event. We couldn’t you find teams like these and be event. be in better accommodation next to stars like Federov, Mishka, and we were astounded when we Ash Chaplen, Clint Moore or Cyril Job? understood where the field was: only three There were over 50 teams present, playing minutes away from the hotel, next to a large games from 8 am to 11 pm. Some were shopping mall with various fast-food chain training for the Millennium; the others were restaurants and other type of shops. there to learn from the best.

We went to the location one day before The second reason is the price of the the event, to see how everything was going event. One whole year worth of inscription and the first impression we had was fear… fees in the CPS is the equivalent of Fear because it seemed as if a tornado had registering for one Millennium event. passed over the field! All structures, obstacles But there is yet another reason that many and turfs were dismounted and laying around, only realise after reaching the location of the as if a Venetian canal had been diverted onto event. Many times we were approached by the field. players who, with a big smile on their faces, One thing’s for sure, if there was a record felt this was the place to play some fun, old-

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school paintball, without any stress or worries.

There seemed to be a lack of organisation around us, we could see a lot of people running around, trying to help as much as they could. Nonetheless, it was in these moments we could see the organisation’s dedication to the players. The smallest things were taken care of to ensure the maximum comfort and safety of the players, be it the

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several player tents, or the top net that covered the field to stop any paintballs from hitting the audience. Even during lunch, there was an extra effort for healthier food to be made available for players, unlike the widely available fatty snacks and sandwiches.

DYE as well as Paintball Life, endorsed

by Emboscada International, made an appearance as available shops for visitors to

purchase their wares. Pro-Share, with their confirmed but it will take place in June. new Art Chaos promotional stand and their Overall it was a great tournament, yet mascot could also be found amongst these with various aspects to improve. During shops. a conversation with the event The winners of the three organiser, we understood that The existing leagues were Art this is a project focused on the all-year fee Chaos, Kiev Express and Balkan for CPS is equal future, the main concern being Express. stability and not maximising to or less than The chosen locations for profit and having the maximum the fee for one the next events are at the amount of teams per event. It Millennium same level as Venice, the next is without any doubt an economic event. one being in Paris, in May and the event for European teams and a following in Milan, in September. The solution for some teams attempting latter is where the biggest event of this league to make the big step into the international is likely to occur. The third event is yet to be paintball scene. •

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Gloves: Planet Eclipse Gun: Planet Eclipse Bikini: H&M Black belt: Bershka Cream belt: H&M

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Stephanie Photographer: Carlos Rodrigues Model: Stephanie (DXL Models) Styling: InĂŞs Carvalhal Makeup & Hair: SĂ­lvia Ferreira

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Gloves: Planet Eclipse Gun: Planet Eclipse Bikini: H&M Belt: Bershka Shoes: H&M

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Gloves: Planet Eclipse Pants: Planet Eclipse Belts: Bershka

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Goggles: GiSportz Bikini: H&M Sandals: Primark

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Jersey: Planet Eclipse Gloves: Planet Eclipse

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Elbow Pads: Planet Eclipse Knee Pads: Planet Eclipse Bikini: H&M Top: Bershka Sandals: Bershka Belts: Bershka

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Goggles: GI Sportz Sandals: Primark Bikini: Woman Secret

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Gloves: Planet Eclipse Harness: Planet Eclipse Boxer: Styling

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Warped Nort

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It’s crazy what happened in Swynnerton, England.

1700 players, flares, flash bangs, smoke, grenades and a lot of paintball all together made the biggest paintball match in Europe.

Text: André Faria

The biggest recreational paintball event in Paintugal, Universal Exports, Myrmidons, Europe opened their front doors on the 3rd of Paintball Underworld and Hostile Intentions) May, ready to receive the biggest turnout ever and invested various weeks in the creation with 1700 players. Every minute of every day, of an attack plan that avoided the capture of people would only be breathing paintball, not the hostage during the game-time. The Dutch only with the games occurring but with the team Lima Bravo of Dutch Legion mounted camaraderie that existed, the companionship a pyrotechnics set composed of flares, flash made possible with the gathering or hundreds of bangs, tripwire traps and remotely detonated players, industry representatives, stores, staffs devices whose controls were in the hands of and many others. An inviting environment was the general. created and one must salute their effort.

The big news this year was the nocturnal • The new feature this year was three hour game played, based on rules the nocturnal three hour game. from the MILSIM paintball, with all-terrain vehicles patrolling the grounds, special Warped began by introducing the 400 pyrotechnics effects which altogether created attacking players, which were divided into a unique and unforgettable environment. groups of 15 each with a separate van for General Jay Garcia of Hostile Intentions transportation, that they would attempt to was responsible for creating the defence of capture the hostage and remove him safely. In a fortress and the grounds next to it, where the dark of the night all sounds would create a hostage would be held. He rounded up 100 an automatic response from the players who players from specialised teams (Apocalypse, saw it as a threat, pumping up the adrenalin Dutch Legion, Brotherhood of X, C.E.P. felt that would shoot up with every flare

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that went off.

As time passed, various attacking groups would try to penetrate the fortress’s perimeter. The defensive teams would request the general for motorized backup and the shooting of flares that would eliminate the whole terrain around them.

The hostage was taken for a few The instances and the «broken arrow» phase of defence begun. All lines of the defence united to control the inner perimeter, capturing many attackers and eventually returning the hostage to its safe place that was discovered by a motorised patrol.

In the end, the Blackout game was a positive experience for both sides, as it was a realist experience and different to what any

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players had previously played.

The second day begun early with various CQB workshops organised by Hostile Intentions, the availability of DCCT military simulator, driving or travelling on an armoured car, laser games, TPX pistol games, riot training and the preparation for the «UK

Lima Bravo managed to explode last resource 10 seconds before the end of the match.

Versus» match.

This game puts two teams on the field: JNTF, the foreigner’s team led by General André Faria from C.E.P. Paintugal, against the other faction (UK) of British players led by

General Rick Morice of Universal Exports.

On the JNTF side the teams that stood out were the Swedes from Sweden, Dutch legion from Holland, GPL Union from Norway; Apocalypse from the UK, Rat Pack from Sweden, Arms Gallery from Denmark and C.E.P. Paintugal from Portugal. Various players from other countries such as South Africa, Germany, Poland and Spain also participated in the event. On the UK side most of the faction was composed by Universal Exports, along with other teams and individual British players.

The game lasted for 4 hours and was fought on a varied terrain of around 40 hectares of forest and plains, hills and ditched, rivers with functioning boats, buildings, bridges and much more.

Right from the start the JNTF team took

Event’s accounting The event harboured 1718 players with over 100 teams from 12 nations, all organised by a staff of 160 people.

10km of tape were used to limit the size of the event.

The festival was built by a team of 70 workers in the ten days before the beginning of the event and was cleaned in the next 7 days, with specialised vehicles to completely clean the 35km of roads and over 50 buildings used in the games.

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control of the game, quickly exploding 3 of most contested zone with the constant arrival the British resources in less than 40 minutes. of people and small barbeques appearing The organisation used a player distribution everywhere; all other activities were being system that allowed for arriving players to used, the shops in what was most likely one of still play, balancing out the match and making the biggest paintball outlet stores in Europe it more entertaining for all. At one point JNTF were out of this world, and the dining area had double the amount of players compared with animation and prizes was also amazing. to the UK and then it was balanced out to • It was most likely the biggest make it a fairer game.

In the end, after many intense battles, paintball outlet store in Europe.

Lima Bravo as the demolitions squad for JNTF managed to do the impossible as they At night there was another new feature, a destroyed the fifth and last British resource band battle named «North vs. South’s Battle 10 seconds from the end of the game with of the Bands» where the final was disputed only one player left alive. Both factions are between «Crinkle Cuts» representing the to be congratulated for such an intense and South and «Red Light District» representing challenging game. the North. The South won and the night was The event was filled with movement in complemented with a hot show of fire dances every zone. The camping was clearly the with lingerie dancers.

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The sun had barely risen on Sunday morning and the event had already opened their doors to the biggest attraction of the festival: the 6 hour big game- Checkpoint.

The organisation of North vs. South bets on innovating the scene each year and presented new features for this year’s festival.

The terrain doubled in size compared to last year’s event, giving a total of 200 playable hectares of land. The transportation system was reorganised and reinforced with mini buses this year to ease in the transportation of players. The field entrances went from 2 to 4, alternating the team’s entrances every 90 minutes, which was facilitated with the bus transports.

Another 2013 new feature was the availability of three generals per faction, where the North was controlled by Dave

«TAZ» Bradley from Tazball paintball, Greg Hastings from Tippmann and Ged Green from NPF; the South was commanded by Jamie Powell from Apocalypse, Jim Rose from Enola Gaye and Pete «Mr. U» Utschig from Dye. On the field the armoured vehicles transported players to the hot zones on the field, giving them the chance to shoot while on the move.

The objectives changed repeatedly from team to team, with combats of which the size have never seen before as both sides aggressively pushed to win the battle. Many of the battles were simply epic!

In the end the victory was given to the Northern team, who managed to conquer more objectives than the South, although the Southern team did eliminate more players than the North. •

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT • THE CONVIVIALITY BETWEEN ALL THE TEAMS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES • REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE SPORT IN AN EVENT • ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE OF THE ORGANISATION • EXCELLENT ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF THE EVENT • SECURITY WAS THE MAIN FACTOR WHICH LED TO SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS OF THIS FESTIVAL

THINGS TO IMPROVE UPON: • THE NUMBER OF REFEREES FOR THE SIZE OF THE TERRAIN AVAILABLE • REINFORCING THE STAFF’S FORMATION TO AVOID DISCREPANCIES OF THEIR ACTIONS • FOLLOWING THE TIMING OF THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME • ACCELERATING THE PLAYER’S REGISTRATION PROCESS TO AVOID CREATING LARGE QUEUES • PARKING ZONE SEPARATE FROM THE CAMPING AREA

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PAINTBALL AND VI Being GRIP magazine a journalistic organization with the objective of disclosing information and data about the sport itself, it was with great interest that we addressed a most discussed subject: Does practicing paintball have an influence over the players’ violent behavior?

This article was based on the work developed

by Karine Souza to complete her degree in Physical Education. Her thesis focused on the connection between practicing paintball and showing violent behavior, with a lot of research and interviews with parents and young paintball players. The respective analysis and discussion of the answers’ content was also based on some authors´ texts that addressed aggressiveness.

«According to Lorenz (1966), aggression is an innate urge that played a positive role

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in the history of human beings’ evolution.

Accordingly with this line of thinking, this urge shouldn’t be inhibited, but channeled to socially adequate activities».

Karine isn’t a stranger to paintball, having years of experience as a player, athlete, organizer and being a huge sympathizer of this sport. In this paper, which you can consult in GRIP’s website, there are several facts questioned, experiences addressed and a browsing through several delicate issues without any kind of taboo or reservation.

«Certainly, crime could use these practices to improve its combat techniques, as police forces do. But it would be naïve to believe that the simple prohibition or limitation of the practice of sports such as paintball, bow and arrow, fencing, target shooting e martial arts would sort out politically social problems in the country».

The author claims that, through the simulation of conflict situations, paintball eventually generates in the people’s imagery the idea that its practice leads to the acquisition and expression of equally violent behaviors. «…aggressiveness isn’t necessarily an undesirable attribute in a personality, as long as it’s used in a constructive and positive way, accordingly to the sports

and cultural rules, inherent to the sport played…»

With an extensive investigation work, addressing the sports ancestries and main events worldwide, a group of people that often practice paintball and some parents were interviewed.

Based on the parents’ answers, we can highlight the reference to a bigger proximity with their children, improving family relations. It also referred that the practice of paintball allows new friendships to grow, prioritizing companionship and teamwork.

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

IOLENT BEHAVIOR

Regarding aggressive behavior, after practicing paintball, we can emphasize the answers concerning urge and emotion control, discipline and responsibility.

Accordingly to data research, analysis and discussion, it’s understandable that, besides the importance of paintball as a physical activity that improves physical conditioning, logical thinking, a release of adrenaline and forming new friendships, this sport is one more option for family leisure and socializing. Paintball helps individual discipline and it can also be used

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paintball allows the use of aggressiveness in a constructive way, inside a proper environment. That being said, the player doesn’t act violently regarding social patterns». •

KARINE SOUZA «I dedicated my whole life to the sport, since its beginning here in Brazil, when I was only four years old. I started playing at six, light pump games, of course, and through time I got even more involved and passionate, achieving a scientific investigation in 2008, when the news reported the prohibition of paintball. I confess that the project was a challenge: my supervisor at the time didn’t know what paintball was, and the bibliographic references about the theme were inexistent. But none of those things made me quit.

Nowadays there are investigations that use my project as a reference, and that pleases me: contributing is what makes it worth it!»

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FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

as a way to relieve daily stress.

In conclusion, therefore, based on every research and report documented in Karine Souza’s paper, «(…) with social conflict and existent cultural peculiarities, practicing

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Copyright ©2013 DYE Precision, Inc. The stylized “dye” logo, the “sphere” logo, and the “rotor logo” are either registered trademarks, trademarks, or design trademarks of DYE Precision, Inc. For a complete list of patents please visit www.dyeprecision.com/patents

AXE LE

Axe is an Invert. The same bolt system, the same functioning the same upgrades.

Text: Duarte Gomes Photos: Kee Action Sports

In 2012 and 2013, XSV played with Axe and they gave us hours of good moves and fun, while being mocked for playing with a marker known as the «big Invert».

Invert emerged in the market with revolutionary features: reduced profile, without macro line and a much more affordable price.

It took place on a product range with strong competitors, yet they weren’t

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impossible to dethrone; and it wasn’t long until that happened, because shortly after its launch, Invert was a best-seller. It was a very used and adored marker, for being able to deliver an accurate shot, being consistent and requiring low-maintenance. For sure, it had some faults but it still had success and a large legion of fans.

Axe’s an Invert. The same bolt system, the same functioning, the same upgrades.

They kept the same functioning; the marker is always under pressure in the fire chamber and the poppet is equipped with a spring to help the fire chamber to remain closed. The bolt is pulled back by its spring, so that the ball can enter in the breach.

When the trigger is pulled, the solenoid opens up the poppet during the dwell time, the pressure locked in the fire chamber makes the bolt move forward and make the shot; as

soon as the solenoid closes, the bolt is pushed back by the spring’s force and makes the poppet close the fire chamber. Even though it looks confusing, the functioning is simple and practical, allowing for an easy maintenance to any interested players.

Not wanting to hold back, Empire seized the moment and took a leap, improving every aspect that made the marker outdated for the current competitors.

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The first deficiency was the on/off button, numerous pre-set and regulators with the ground screw. It was a headache for those who needed to repair it.

Moving on to current times, there wasn’t any «invention», because «if it’s not broken, don’t fix it», but they improved, and a lot.

The on/off system is practical and really easy to use, built with the regulator which requires little to no maintenance.

The bolt removing system looks complicated at the beginning, because it’s necessary to get the hang of it, making the removal harder for the most nervous, but after several utilizations it becomes really

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easy and practical.

There was an upgrade to the plate where eyes and trigger operate. The contact of the trigger was made through a magnet, which sometimes fell when adjusting the trigger and it lost the contact with the plate. Players often go desperate with that situation. Now, a switch was installed, identical to the one in any marker in the market, something we are used to as being easier and reliable when adjusting the trigger.

As a final observation, we have a marker with a pretty attractive price, with enormous manufacturing quality and high performance.

There’s no way to get it wrong, its balanced

PROS · Easy maintenance · Variety of accessories · Price CONS · Too many grooves · little pieces that can easily be lost or damaged · Original barrel

size makes it small, yet comfortable in your hands.

The version we tested was equipped with Empire Super Freak barrels and with fore grip Redline plate. The Empire barrel has two pieces with 14”, allowing the exchange of fronts and inserts accordingly to the ball used, increasing the precision. The normal version comes with a 12” barrel, which, in my opinion, is worth an upgrade on the player’s behalf.

To help out, Redline plate increases the marker comfort, because the fore gripe is

more ergonomic and, with the LCD plaque, it makes the settings configuration easier.

This is a marker that will help many players to reach a certain level without spending too much money. •

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Compe

Cloth

At the end of 2012, whe were addressed and ultra-light equipment market, with little to no though they

Text: AndrĂŠ Garrido Photos: DYE

Our first reaction when told that competition equipment without any protection was going to be marketed was that we were being mocked and we laughed. When they showed us the equipment for the first time, we thought they were talking about a sports vest and we immediately replied no one was going to buy them. After all, all players need

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protection against the ball impact and slides. At least that’s what we thought.

Were we right?

Even though there are several brands with really light equipment and very little protection, only DYE with its UL equipment and Empire with ContactZero have specifically developed equipment to the highend market.

First off, there needs to be an understanding that this equipment must be worn with all of the existent interior protections, such as chest protectors, elbow and knee pads, among others. Without these

etition

hing

en several GRIP members informed about new to be available on the o protection, we literally were insane.

E; Kee Action Sports

protections, it becomes hard to get the desired result.

We requested some equipment and we provided it to the right people to test it - the players. When we gave the UL to the players, there was immediately some strangeness and, in a certain way, some fear.

In the players’ head, the message was to go out in the field with the maximum protection possible, and then, all of a sudden, we gave them equipment worthy of a cyclist.

With the Contact Zero there wasn’t exactly a really big difference, regarding the visual

aesthetics. They look a lot like normal equipment, and only by holding them up the weight difference is noticeable. Both the pants as the jersey have some light protections, although in a much smaller quantity than we are used to by these brands.

Both pants have pockets with zip

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fasteners, something that isn’t exactly new, but many players enjoyed them, since it’s an efficient way not to lose the barrel sock.

But let’s get to the point: performance during the game.

It was obvious that one of them would overall increase the agility of the players’ movements. The players did mention that, at the beginning, it was really weird and somewhat uncomfortable; after all, they weren’t used to something so light. After a few minutes, they thought it was an advantage.

Regarding the UL, it was impossible to have something more flexible and the Contact Zero equipment is more limited in this feature. However, not everything is better. In this equipment, bounce is much minor, increasing the probability of the ball to blow up during the impact. However, to the «cleaning professionals», both equipments are an asset. In the case of the DYE equipment, all texture is great to scrub off any paint stain and simply make it disappear. The fabric is super soft and smooth.

Concerning the Empire equipment, the whole jersey is perforated to the millimetre, which results in a better absorption of the most liquid paints.

A factor that concerned us was the water proofing and cold air

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passage to the body. In that aspect we were impressed with the DYE equipment, which managed to resist all-day rain without getting the players completely wet. Regarding Empire, the result wasn’t as satisfactory, functioning like any normal equipment. Regarding the cold-air passage, both are really thin, even perforated; therefore they aren’t expected to be the warmest clothing for winter.

Concerning resistance, only time will tell, because it is completely impossible to test this feature in just a couple of days.

The last factor we worried about was the printings. Even though we didn’t get to test it, we were under the impression that the Empire equipment could keep the printing longer due to its fabric.

The prices aren’t the friendliest, which is expected for a high-end, innovative product. The pants plus the jersey cost about 300€ in the DYE case and 200€ in Empire’s.

The fear was outdone by the agility players gained.

Our brains initially flagged it as inconsistent thought it immediatately became obvious and the right choice for that purpose.

We believe that within two years every top team will be equipped with this kind of clothing, especially if the price goes down a little.

At least something is certain in the present year: those who get this equipment will be the vainest in the field. •

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the ne w

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Features: id 2013 Soleno in lr e D w e n alve new 2013 V oated Steel C m iu d a n a tV new Tool Se OLeD Board i T G e n lo C ne w p p Around Gri ra w h c u o T new Soft

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F EL SupraLite The race to make the lightest bottle continues.

Text: Duarte Gomes Photos: Maxs

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We had some quiet years after the launch of Stako and its trembling path, with several allegations of security risks. It was thought that there wasn’t going to be any continuity, neither the intention to evolve into a lighter bottle.

It was a giant leap, if we consider the evolution bottles had from the aluminium tank, which weighed «tons» and had a reduced capacity, to the Kevlar light bottles and, more recently, to the ultra-light bottles that definitely are here to stay. Besides the terrific evolution that this component brings to the game, we now have many more options out in the market.

Today we will talk about Fuel SupraLite, the most recent innovation in the ultra-light bottles’ market.

Fuel SupraLite weights about 650 grams (1, 4 lbs.), is 28 centimetres long (11 inches) and its core part is made out of stainless steel.

After the date of manufacture, it has ten years of shelf life, and it needs hydro testing after 5 years.

Of all the features mentioned, the most significant is its stainless steel core, which allows for hydro testing. Hydro testing consists of filling in the bottle with greater pressure than it is certified to. This is something that wasn’t possible to do with ultra-light bottles until now, as the material used was plastic and the test would rip it.

With stainless steel, there’s greater elasticity; however, due to the quantity of material used, only one hydro test can be carried out; then again, that’s just enough for the shelf life of the tank.

The bottle is manufactured and certified

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in accordance with TÜV SÜD standards; this is the official body that defines rules and security regulations and that certifies equipment to be used in numerous branches of several industries.

This is the new fashion in bottles. There’s no other that can combine lightness, capacity and shelf life like Fuel SupraLite. •

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backstage Camping, dirt, beer and over 1700 people.

It’s not a summer festival, but North vs South.

Meet some of the people responsible for bringing you this great event.

1 – What is your function?

2 – What are the main difficulties of your job?

3 – Tell us the funniest story that you have experienced in North Vs. South.

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JIM FRENSHAM Director 1 – I’m the director of Warped and am responsible for the entire festival. From the launch of the festival in November until Sunday night of the last day everything is my responsibility. For six months it’s my job at Warped.

2 – Size! Skill! Warped most of the time is relatively small, six to seven people staff and in this festival we had 160 staff. The most difficult thing is to find people who are dedicated and passionate about what they do.

3 – Every year I can give you ten!

This year one story will stand out from Night-Ops. We finish the game at twelve a clock as planned, we swept the area, everything was finished, everybody came back to the beer and tents and at 1:45 AM one guy walks to the security and said: «I’m the Night-Op».

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STEVE EDDOWES Game Controller 1 – I’m the game controller. Basically people call me the head judge. It’s my job to guarantee that the games run smoothly, that players get what they need for the game and get the information that they need.

2 – Size and scale of controlling 700 square acres.

3 – I’ll tell you the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. I was driving my vehicle and I was arriving at a field that was surrounded by trees where there is one respawn marshal in one side, a respawn marshal on the other side and two lines of troops like in an old war movie, in the middle were the two commanders and they called a cease fire.

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STUART MATTISON Communications manager 1 – I do radio communications, DJ, looking up for the electrical cables and basically a run around doing all jobs in between our casting radio.

2 – Everybody wants something of me.

You go to do a job and before you get there to do it somebody else has asked you another question that is more important. It’s all day, every day, from six o’ clock in the morning until seven o’ clock at night for four days.

3 – Probably some of the fun characters dressed up as Vikings, nuns, Kaddafi. You can see so many different characters… dressed as pink bunnies playing paintball on the field. As a pink bunny, you’re absolutely never going to see him dressed like that.

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THANKS Alexandre Calvário Guilherme Pires João Ramos José Ferreira Pedro Batista Ricardo Catarino

Thank you!

/GripPaintball

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