Chapter Two
Domina Pura
The respectable witches' magazine and newspaper
24th July 1995
Article by Lady Cierra Abbott.
Written at the 3rd Global Broom Racing Games on the Friday 21st July 1995
Britain was the scene of the four hundredth and third Global Broom Racing Games, the esteemed event taking place at Alexandra Park Racecourse in North London. It is always a well looked forward to event with tickets selling out within a month or two every year.
Tickets are already on sale for next years game.
The United Kingdom is nearly always the venue of choice for the games, as the game originated in Wales in 1592, although the event has evolved to include more skill sets than a straight forward race. Other rule changes include zero contact allowed with the other players, as traditionally, knocking others off their brooms was not only allowed but encouraged.
The weather was perfect for a Broomstick racing event. The air was crisp and clear without any humidity which could interfere with the brooms performance. There were a few clouds in the sky to help prevent glare and a gentle southern breeze to help keep the temperature comfortable.
Witches and Wizards from all levels of society came to watch as racers from all over the world arrived to take part in the various races. This year there were entrants from no less than twenty five countries, a most excellent turn out and a new record for participants.
We were able to get a few quick words with Head of Magical Games and Sports, Mr Ludovic Bagman, before he had to leave the games early due to other important duties. Mr Bagman had this to say,
"I am very proud to have been able to gather so many racers together, especially under the circumstances. Broom racing has never drawn the same interest or crowds that Quidditch manages each year but hopefully they will still put on a jolly good show!"
Mr Bagman's next in command, Mr Jareth Huber was able to stay for the full games however and helped the Minister for Magic present the winners their awards.
It is well known now that Mr Bagman will likely be leaving the Ministry soon, having struggled to hold his position since the disastrous Triwizard Tournament of 1994, where Mr Cedric Diggory, son of Ministry worker Amos Diggory, tragically lost his life.
Discovery of further debts suggest that Mr Bagman will stand down at the end of the summer after all of the large events for the year are over. Whether or not Mr Huber will be taking over for him is yet to be seen, what with the latest shake up in the Ministry, more on this on page 3-4.
First to take place in today's event were exhibition matches focusing on the different broom makes, these were well received by the crowds. The Firebolt came out as the clear winner, their brooms being the best money can buy it came as no shock. Their victory was followed by the latest Nimbus model, the Nimbus 3000, with third place going to Tinderblast. Further results can be found on page 49.
Next came the school years exhibition matches, these took place in two main parts; vintage and obstacle and always draw a large crowd and amount of interest.
Any school is invited to enter, so long as they have a contestant or contestants to take part in at least one race. This year there were fifteen entrant schools, full details can be found on page 49.
The first was the vintage broom exhibition which focused to the riders control over the somewhat temperamental Oakshaft 79 at high altitude. The riders from these races ride the exact same broomsticks as the adults do, giving them a real feel for the event.
The Oakshaft 79 was first invented in 1879 by Elias Grimstone. It was revolutionary for its time although now it is classed as temperamental, and immensely difficult to control above fifty feet. Riders for this category must train on both modern and vintage brooms to have any hope of preforming well.
However many professional riders have said that working with more difficult brooms forces you to vastly improve your basic skill level and therefore is advised training for all serious broom riders, even those who stick with purely modern brooms.
There are three races in this part of the event which were won by Alina Wilkinson: United Kingdom, Maud Begum: Bangladesh and Irene Anderson: Australia.
Wilkinson had a clear lead from the start, showing expert control over her broom throughout. Begum had a very close race, this race by far had the most skilled riders and it was a very close call for the judges. Anderson got off to a rocky start but quickly caught up, speeding though the finish line at speeds that a professional would be proud of.
Next was the always popular obstacle races, both single rider and relay. All contestants rode the Nimbus 2001 broomstick, one of the faster brooms and a challenge for many of these younger racers who tend to practice on much slower brooms throughout the year and they are only given an hour to practice on the day.
The relay events came first. Schools are allowed to enter more than one team, but no team may race twice meaning that any school wishing to enter all three races must supply three completely separate teams.
The first event was won by the French team: May Bernard, Laverne Vincent and Florian Girard. This was a close race, their team narrowly scrapping victory after the Irish team's second rider dropped the baton, costing them the lead.
The second was won by Germany: Nikola Hansen, Unser Khan and Anselm Fleming. A well fought race from all six competing teams, although Germany managed to take the lead early on and stayed ahead.
The third was won by the Norwegian girls team: Hildegard Thomas, Kai Martin and Britta Haugen. They are a fairly new team, only forming early this year to give the Norwegian school a second team and worked together flawlessly, showing off their hard work.
The individual races were won by Adrian Daniel: Norway, William Culpeck: United Kingdom and Georgi Silva: Bulgaria.
Daniel managed to make up for loosing in the relay race by sweeping passed the finish line with no faults. Culpeck was in a very close race, crossing the finish line at the exact same time as Nott who took second place but Culpeck only had one fault where as Nott had two meaning that Culpeck was crowded the winner. Silva also had a rocky start but finished two seconds before his opponent and with no faults.
All of the champions were invited to meet with Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, as well as Mr Bagman for their awards and their pictures and group pictures are displayed on the next page.
Of this year's guests the most notable were Lord and Lady Parkinson, Barron and Baroness of Salisbury.
Although this is nearly always a popular event for all classes, the Duke and Duchess of Wiltshire Lord and Lady Malfoy, the Marquise and Marchioness of Durham Lord and Lady Longbottom, the Viscount of Skye and the Viscount and Viscountess of Norwich often being in attendance, they were absent from this years event; presumed they are busy with important war work given the current climate.
Lord and Lady Parkinson were given orders to take the summer off after paperwork mix ups caused them to spend several more weeks than planned in America where both Lord and Lady Parkinson work closely with Magical Congress of the United States of America for our Ministry of Magic.
The honourable Miss Parkinson was also in attendance and greeted Mr William, with a very public kiss, as he left the field after his very close race.
The two are fellow students at Hogwarts School or Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is presumed that they met and their close friendship began there, as it does for many young witches and wizards in the United Kingdom.
Miss Parkinson is a member of Slytherin house and is preparing to go into her sixth year of school. She was also made Prefect at the beginning of the last school year, as were her parents at their own time in school.
Mr William is a member of Ravenclaw and will be entering his final year of school at the end of the holidays. He is also a Prefect for his own house, earning his badge in 1994. He represented Hogwarts School during the races.
Miss Parkinson wore a lilac dress with black trim, with a matching pair of court shoe heels with small flower detailing and a small lilac hat with black, satin ribbon trim.
This matched the black and purple racing robes that are customary for the United Kingdom school racers, so it can easily be presumed that they had planned to go to the event together when Mr William was given the honour of racing. Mr William also wore the customary Ravenclaw blue trim which he gave as a token to Miss Parkinson before the race began.
After Mr William had freshened up and changed into a dashing set of purple and black semi-dress robes, once again with dark blue trim, he joined Miss Parkinson and her family, to watch the main events.
Lady Parkinson matched her daughter, wearing a similar style of dress; short sleeved and nipped it at the waist with a flared skirt, in a darker shade of purple. Lord Parkinson wore a rather daring muggle morning suit in a matching purple to his wife.
It was clear from their behaviour that they were there to support their daughter as much as to enjoy a day out. Both of them met Mr Culpeck graciously and followed him to be introduced to his parents.
Mrs Viola Culpeck (nee Darrow) wore a dark blue, form fitting, velvet dress with matching hat and shoes, choosing to wear her long auburn hair in a bun. Mr Andrej Culpeck also matched his wife in clothing colouring, he also chose to sport a muggle morning suit.
Mr Culpeck's younger sister, Edith May was also wearing blue, in the form of a colourful sash on her white dress with matching bag.
A picture of the family can also be found on the next page.
The main races also consisted of the traditional vintage broom races and speed obstacle courses, full results of all 30 races can be found on page 49.
After the races, the two families enjoyed a meal at the race course 'gold' restaurant before parting ways.
This is believed to be the first public meeting of Miss Parkinson and Mr William, which is hoped to be the first of many.
Miss Parkinson turns sixteen tomorrow and is believed to be planning a small gathering of her friends to celebrate, before her parents return to their work.
It is expected that the formal announcement of Mr William Culpeck walking out with Miss Pansy Parkinson will happen after she has turned seventeen. In the mean time, we wish them the very best during these most difficult of times.
Until next time,
Cierra Abbott