So the end of December is fast approaching and we’re doubtless all focussing on the run-up to the same seasonal event – which is, of course, the culmination of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship due to take place at Ally Pally on 3rd January.
By the time you read this you may well already know the results of at least some of the early rounds, so I won’t spoil it for you by telling you what happened (bet that confused you for a second!). Instead, I’m going to devote this blog to a festive glimpse into something else 2010 might hold for darts devotees.
Now in my humble opinion (OK, so if I were 40 years younger I’d have just put IMHO there and saved us both time – sorry!) at the moment the “deadliest piece of ironmongery in the trade” in aerodynamic terms is a Sigma 970 or 950. And, for most people, I honestly believe that will continue to be the case. However, if, darts-wise at least, you’re not most people and you found the current Sigmas didn’t quite suit your particular grip or throwing style, then 2010 might just hold a nice surprise for you. No promises, but I’m working on it!
I suppose it wouldn’t really be fair to leave it there without giving you a bit of a clue as to the objective of my efforts, so let’s just say that the subject of my last blog – my take on the new flights that Phil Taylor played with in the Grand Slam of Darts and which he is also using in the World Champs (to answer Freddie Grice’s question) - is currently very much on my mind. I’d also like to satisfy some of my unfulfilled dart design ambitions which I referred to in my “Sigma Squared” blog. And I have the ghost of an idea that might just do some of the required tricks – a “Sigma Cubed” maybe? Who knows, it might even mean Chris McGrory (hi, Chris - thanks for the comment from last time) won’t have to use scissors and “dreadfully cut up” some slim flights into kites for himself!
Well, on that enigmatic note, that’s it for 2009. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers. I’ll see you again in 2010, so until then enjoy any festivities that come your way but maybe try to moderate the old “intercourse with Spirits” and, if you’re a smoker, make a New Year’s resolution regarding those “coffin-nails”.
Finally, to leave you with something to think about whilst you’re sleepily digesting those mince pies (can’t help admitting I’ve always hoped someone would produce some James Bond themed fondant-filled Christmas chocolates called “Mint Spies”), there are six (well, six that I intended!) linked seasonal quotes herein. Respect if you recognised all of them and maximum respect if you can correct the one slight misquote. Let me know if you succeed!
If you didn’t notice any of them, all I can say to you is “Bah! Humbug!”