Below are low resolution photos of Team Skandal, of Switzerland from the 2008 World Boomerang Championships. For high resolution versions check out our press photo section or the WBC photo archives. These photos are not authorized for use in paid advertising or any other function other than news coverage of the sport of boomerangs. Each member featured below is a member of a Swiss boomerang club team.

For more information on the Swiss boomerang scene also check out the Swiss Boomerang Federation website at:

http://www.swissboomerangs.ch/index.php

One cannot begin to discuss Swiss team Skandal without mentioning their exceptional teamwork and overall excellence but the story of Swiss boomerang history revolves around Manuel Shutz, possibly the greatest boomerang athlete of all time ( pictured at right ). A tremendous athlete and 3 time world individual champion, “Manu” has achieved superstar status in the sport by his electrifying performances in many events.

Manuel Shutz also is possibly the world’s greatest competition boomerang designer as well as the current world record holder in twice as many competition events as anyone else. His current world records include an amazing score of 81 catches in Endurance Fast Catch in 5 minutes time, almost 4 complete rounds of perfect score in Trick Catch doubling,  a consecutive catch record of 1297 and a mind boggling long distance record of 238 meters with a return.

What possibly is the most enduring legacy of Manuel Shutz though are the memories of watching Manu Shutz in person at a World Championship event. It is Roger Milla leading the Indomitable Lions from Cameroon in the 1990 football world cup, Joe Namath leading the New York Jets over the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl and Kirk Gibson hitting a World Series game winning home run on a busted leg all over again. It is every bit as epic. Every bit as exciting. Manu Shutz is a phenomena and we are so blessed to have him in our sport. For many of us, hearing the crowd chant “Manu”, “Manu”, “Manu” from the sidelines as he dominated the 2008 Head to Head World Boomerang Championships in the pouring rain was one of the most exciting sports events of our lives.    

We must do justice to the fine Skandal team as well. Even with several key injuries knocking out 2 team mates during the event, Skandal almost pulled off an upset of the World Champion German B-Motions squad with an incredible 2nd day comeback. Stephan Spirgi, Lars Overzee, Tobias Jakob and Kim Galeazzi kept putting up spectacular performances to come within reach of a victory only to have 2 more injuries to seal the victory for the German team on the last day.  It was a performance for the ages! Check out the highlighted videos below:

Manuel Shutz 2008 WBC video with interview HERE

Manuel Shutz 2008 WBC Head to Head Championship Win HERE. Can’t miss video in a huge rain downpour!

Manuel Shutz 2008 WBC Head to Head Championship video Long Form of multiple events HERE

Stephan Spirgi 2008 WBC Fast Catch Performance HERE. Very solid!

Team Skandal 2008 WBC Day 2 performance HERE.

A highlight reel of young Tobias Jakob can be seen HERE. Tobias also won the WBC MTA Individual Championships as a 20 year old. He has a very promising future in the sport.