World Class UK Final

Just back from what eventually became a rather messy trip south of the border to spectate on this years Final, what happens on tour stays on tour, but needless to say, a 12 hr day with no food, copious amounts of endless free booze, bartenders and more especially a notorious contingency from Scotland, will always only end up one way. After popping in to Tristan's new gaff for a quick flying tour, I, on a somewhat unfamiliar judgement call, headed back to base camp while others headed, in a rather inebriated state, to Met bar, from which, the stories have still to surface.....the mind shudders.
But back to the competition. After a really long day, and some sterling performances from our Scottish based boys in Marco & former winner, Ryan Cheti, joined with Joey Medrington and Stephen Martin, the lengthy list was whittled down to 2 and after leading the pack by some distance after some great presentation skills and solid technique coupled with great drinks, Ricks' own, Steven Martin was paired with the clinical Erik Lorencz from The Connaught. Ive competed against and with Erik a few times now, I know his technique and his style well, hes an immaculate bartender with great skills and great drinks, the competitions hes won is testament to that, and he put on a really strong performance and ended with a showstopper garnish which included smoking dry ice.
At this point I really felt for Stevie, I remember in a competition I was up against Erik, and, after feeling really confident about my drinks and performance, Erik makes a Blazer. In a UK final. That's ballsy man, you just cant compete with that.
But I need to say, Stevie blew my away. To be so calm on such a stage at such a comp, he did an amazing job. And to add to his boldness, he did a twist on a Ramos Gin Fiz(z), again, that's pretty ballsy.
In the end, Erik won, and although he thoroughly deserves the victory, I felt really disappointed for Stevie as I don't think he could have done anything more to win it than what he did.
Erik will go on to the World Final now in Athens, and I reckon hes got a really good shot at winning it. Erik's been in a couple of World Finals now, so hes picked a bit of experience about whats required at these events, and I'm hoping this year he can go on and do it. Good luck Erik !

On a sideline, there was one guy competing who always gets me, Ive seen and competed with him once before at Liquid War, and the shit he pulled that night was crazy. I think its becoming a thing for him now because what he did last night had me in tears of laughter, and for anyone else who was there and seen the picture of his future wife, you'll know what I'm talking about. But it just reminds how I need to go see this guy in action at The Artesian in The Langham Hotel, but Alex 'nanana na' Kratena is a crazy b*****d!!!! Love it ! Thanks to Alan Gow and the boys at Reserve Brands for such a good night, maybe next year I'll dust off the kit bag and get involved.