Spring Kickoff at AC Paintball, Sweden.

Daylight Savings sprung forward on Sunday, 27 March, here in Sweden. Yes, it's a bit later than in the U.S., but we are nearly at the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska... (just, you know, on the OTHER side of Russia,). So we dusted off our markers after the long winter and took to the field for some small, but intense firefights and friendly matches on the ice. There were places, especially the parking lot, where ice skates might have been more appropriate than combat boots, but we all managed to survive.


We kicked off the season at AC (who have a slick new website!) with about 20 people. There were some new faces, some people trying out new gear, a father and son, all-in-all a good mix of people. We ended up playing four games, two going East-West across the town and two going North-South, competing for two Forts in the center of town.

Just like this.... except more buried in snow. 

It was fantastic weather (for Sweden). Temps were sliiiightly above zero, the sun was shining and as long as you kept moving and didn't get too sweaty, it was quite a comfortable first day of the season.

My girlfriend Valentina had said probably the hottest thing a woman can say a few days before Sunday... that being...  (on her own and without encouragement)
"I would like to play paintball sometime soon! I think it would be really fun!"
So after I recovered from being blasted by such awesomely 'winning' news, I lent her some extra camo and she came out with the rest of us, the only girl bravely shooting it out with the guys. She did well and managed to merc a few people at close range in a tunnel and quite nearly got her first "bunkering" kill. Maybe next time.

AWESOME!

The games ranged back and forth in the town and the woods, both teams seeking advantage and trying to out-maneuver eachother. I camped in the woods on the flank the first game and racked up a nice headcount. The second match led to an intense shootout in the woods, far away from any of the flag stations. The third match also led to a standoff in the woods with players creeping through the snow and sniping at eachother, while on the other side of the field in the town some intense CQC was raging.
All the games ended in a tie with Red and Blue team each controlling one of the crucial Forts and their flag stations. I did pretty well for being rusty, no painful shots until the very end of the second game... when I had what I like to define as a "close call."

Whew. Thank you JT for reinforced crotches.

It was a good day. Hopefully the remainder of the snow will melt soon and the trees will turn green. Rikard has big plans for the field, always modifying it and building it up, so I am excited to see what spring will bring.

I iz Rikard. I haz bIg planz 4 Painbolls... and also a neck shot that looks like it stung a bit. 

Be sure to check out the UWL which will be played at AC on in July!   UWL SWEDEN!

Next game will be WEST POINT, COMBAT CLASSIC, NY, USA



Til then, check out these vids of the day.

AC Game 1.

Vid 2

Vid 3