InfoAnda - Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Ukraine's Yanukovich moves to tighten grip on power | | 3 March 2010
Rambus jury deliberates, reviews more testimony | | 20 October 2011
Obama makes unscheduled visit to Dover to pay respects for fallen heroes | 10 August 2011

Chinese seeks reconstruction role in Libya | | 5 February 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race AFP - 1 hour 28 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race WISLA, Poland (AFP) - – Slaloming down the slopes in billowing cassocks in the tracks of their late compatriot Pope John Paul II, Polish priests vie for the "papal cup" prize in the annual clergy ski championships. Each year ski-mad priests flock to Poland's southern Beskid Slaski mountain range bordering the Czech Republic to indulge their passion, as bemused fellow skiers watch them whiz by in their priestly garb. "Each year, this is how we kick-off the competition for the John Paul II cup," explained Father Damian, one of the organizers of the recent event that first started 14 years ago. "When we take our cassocks off, that's when the real competition begins," he added. Priest and seminarians compete in six separate events according to age. So far no nuns have taken up the challenge but Father Damian says the slopes are open to them too. "If at least three show up one day, we'll create a special category," he vowed. In this race, prayers are a standard part of the warm-up routine. "May the good Lord watch over us and protect us, may He give us the strength to compete in a fair play," competitors say, heads bowed before reciting the Lord's Prayer. "We can praise the Lord in a natural setting, in beautiful countryside," said Father Henryk Urbas, the papal cup champion for the fifth year running. "People are really surprised to see us skiing in cassocks -- it's a way to demonstrate our devotion," said the Salesian priest who is also a school gym teacher. Franciscan friars were the first to organise the special event and priests from the local Silesian region then took it over. "We must be the only ones in the world to organise this kind of competition," said Father Damian, adding it was none other than the late ski-mad Polish-born pope who inspired the creation of the event. "It's Pope John Paul II who was our example. He loved to ski, especially in these very Beskidy mountains when he was a young priest and then as a bishop and a cardinal," the priest added. "The pope was passionate about skiing. Once he was asked whether it was appropriate for a cardinal to ski. He replied that above all, it was inappropriate for a cardinal to be a bad skier," Father Damien recalled. Competitors range in age from 20 to nearly 70. At 68, Father Wladyslaw Nowobilski from the nearby village of Cisce was the oldest to take part. "I should always get a prize just because of my age," he chuckled. Backed by 30 of his parishioners from the southern Polish town of Bedzin armed with whistles, tambourines and castanets, Father Krzysztof Sontag makes no secret of his passion for the slopes. "I train all year at the gym. Skiing and sports in general give me a lot of joy," he said. "Our priest is really fantastic," said parishioners. We come here each year to cheer him on. It really brings us closer. There aren't many priests like him in our region." "Skiing in cassocks is also a way of demonstrating that the spirit and the body always go together, like the Latin expression 'Mens sana in corpore sano' (A healthy mind in a healthy body)," Sontag told AFP. "We can do both, hold the rosary and ski poles, get down on our knees and on our skis," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Belgium artist's home-coming smeared by 'vile' politics AFP - 1 hour 48 minutes ago Bangladesh liberation film opens old wounds AFP - Sunday, February 20 Iranian drama triumphs at Berlin fest AFP - Sunday, February 20 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Sunday, February 20 Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin Reuters - Sunday, February 20 News Search Top Stories Baddeley leads, Couples lurks at Riviera golf open Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas US House cuts $61 bn in spending, shutdown looms Libyan regime hits back with deadly crackdown More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Britain's Fergie 'not invited to royal wedding' Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca Obama vows US will 'out-hustle' world Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas Fewer big fish in the sea, say scientists More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 20 February 2011
10 wounded in north Iraq demos
Freed German reporters preparing to leave Iran
Palestinians to make fresh UN anti-settlement bid
Bahrain protesters swarm square, police flee |
U.N. nuclear body may highlight Iran military concerns
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto: Abbas |
Eight dead in attack on Afghan bank: official
Iran warns opposition against staging fresh rallies |
Uganda's Museveni set for win, opposition cry foul |
Berlusconi pledges justice reform as scandal grows |
India silence Bangladesh in World Cup opener
Iraqis protest in Kurdish region, capital |
IOC sees progress in Pyeongchang's games bid
Brumbies defeat Chiefs in opening Super 15 match
New Zealand seek fresh World Cup start
Pakistan spokeswoman resigns over US gunman
India charges Pakistani singer for undeclared cash
Royal designer rocks London fashion week
G20 reaches deal on global indicators: France
China raises gasoline, diesel prices
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin |
Internet cut off in Libya: Arbor Networks
Death toll from Afghanistan bank bombing hits 35
Merkel braces for battering in German state poll
US-TECH Summary
Bank scandal highlights Afghan corruption
EU launches aid mission over Italy's migrant crisis
Baddeley leads, Couples lurks at Riviera golf open
Libya cuts off Internet service: network monitor
Freed German reporters leave Iran
Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca
After Egypt, Myanmar's Suu Kyi wants Twitter: report
Libya forces shoot dead dozens, talks begin in Bahrain |
Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas
Iran naval ships to cross Suez Canal on Monday
US House cuts $61 bn in spending, shutdown looms
Iranian warships pass through Suez Canal
Iran warns opposition against staging fresh rallies
Libyan regime hits back with deadly crackdown
Uganda's Museveni on verge of huge poll victory |
Australian soldier and Afghan interpreter killed
Moroccan protests to demand limit to King's powers |
Iraqis protest in Kurdish region, capital
Kuwait police clash with hundreds of protesters
North Korea digging tunnels for likely nuclear test: report |
Libya toll rises as Bahrain protesters seize square
Pakistani troops kill up to 15 militants |
Bahrain protesters camp out in square ahead of talks |
NATO, Afghan troops killed 64 civilians
India rejoices as minnows struggle at Cricket W.Cup
Libyan Muslim leaders tell security: stop massacre |
Luhrmann to shoot 'Gatsby' movie in Sydney
Vietnam death boat owner 'had bad record'
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto
Tycoon drama highlights Asian succession time bombs
Skeletons found on Philippine clan's properties
U.S. entering direct talks with Taliban
Donaire stops Montiel to take bantamweight titles
Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race
Cabbage and potatoes: Russia's new luxury goods
Belgium artist's home-coming smeared by 'vile' politics
Arrests after China web users call for protests
Nepal's growing middle class takes to the malls
Cricket 'with attitude' for LA gang team
North Korea digging tunnels for likely nuclear test
Tokyo's Haneda airport adds international routes
Bangladesh liberation film opens old wounds
Libya cuts off Internet service: network monitor |
Women drug mules pay as Philippines fails on jobs
William and Kate invite 1,900 guests to royal wedding
China raises petrol, diesel prices
China's Huawei 'in London Underground phones bid'
Iranian drama triumphs at Berlin fest
South Korea business failures fall sharply in January
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin
National Christmas tree blown over by fierce winds
Israel eyes Iranian navy move with 'gravity'
Karzai says NATO air raids killed 50 civilians
Egypt banks and pyramids open as some protest in Cairo
Iran ships approach Suez, Israel takes "grave view"
Yemen separatist leader arrested as protests draw fire |
Israel takes grave view of Iran Suez move
Iran ships yet to enter Suez Canal, official says
Germans vote in Hamburg as Merkel party faces loss |
NATO probes claims it killed 64 Afghan civilians
Moroccan protesters demand limit on royal powers |
Death toll in Afghanistan bank raid rises to 38
Iran ships approach Suez, Israel takes grave view |
Egypt banks and pyramids open as some protest in Cairo |
Chinese police snuff out planned Arab-inspired protests
Thailand's 'red shirts' warn of bigger rallies
A glimpse of Thailand's winemaking industry
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Nobel winner targets 'loan shark' microlenders
Korea Express stake sale kicks off -report
COMMENTARY: Bangkok set to slide again
60 karaoke bars close down in southern Thailand following bomb attack
Intel plans $5 billion Arizona chip plant by 2013 |
Thailand, Cambodia sign temporary ceasefire deal
Cuisine offers first taste of culture
China aims to become No 1 in welcoming the world
N. Korea 'appears to prepare for nuclear test'
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01