United Flyball League International

Touch N Go smashes the 14 second barrier!

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0000

U-FLI is extremely proud to announce that Touch N Go's first-in-history 14-second run has been certified as a new official U-FLI record time. Touch N Go A’s 14.963 run on May 16, 2009 in Hurricane, Utah was comprised of Chef (2 year old border/staffy), Warrant (4 year old border/staffy), Urgent (3 year old border/staffy) and Raptor (3 year old border/staffy). It is an incredibly exciting time in flyball when such an impressive milestone -- once thought to be unbreakable -- has been achieved!

Video of the run: Full video of the run (5.5 MB).

United Flyball League International Announces Sites for 2009 Championship Series

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:30:00 -0000

United Flyball League International (U-FLI) has announced the host sites of six qualifiers and of the championship in its 2009 championship series:

Location	Date	Host Club
Talladega, Alabama	January 31	The Gamblers
Grove, Oklahoma	April 4	Dogs Gone Wild
Otisville, Michigan	May 9	Rude Dogs
Hurricane, Utah	June 13	Stampede
Amana, Iowa	July 11	Hawkeye Hustlers
Vancouver, British Columbia	August 29	Dogwood Pacesetters
Kearney, Nebraska	September 25-27	U-FLI Championship 2009

The championship series is a process for selecting at six qualifiers the best teams from each of seven pre-determined divisions and bringing them together for a championship that contains the most competitive racing in flyball today. Racing sanctioned by U-FLI has generated the fastest time in the sport worldwide, with the current record standing at 15.023 and belonging to Touch N Go. A fiercely competitive race environment resulted in the record being broken three times in as many months, and teams will, no doubt, continue to get faster.

Flyball is a relay race between two 4-dog teams running side-by-side. The dogs jump a series of four hurdles, trigger a spring loaded box to release a ball and carry the ball back over the hurdles. The distance each dog travels during its leg of the race is 102 feet. The first team to finish four dogs cleanly wins the heat.

The sport is open to dogs of all breeds and sizes. Like other athletes, every dog has its style. Some talk trash in the lane, some love to come-from-behind, some stare over their shoulders waiting for the competition to overtake them and others run flat out, not noticing what anyone else is doing. What they are united on is their love for the game, and most of them express this enthusiastically and loudly. Flyball is probably the loudest dog event you will encounter under a single roof. In spite of the noise and the frenzied pace, competitors and spectators continue to spend an increasing number of their weekends attending tournaments, maybe hoping to see a new world record but more likely just to have fun with friends.

Details regarding the 2009 Championship program will be posted as they are available.

2008 Championship Wrap-Up

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:30:00 -0000

Thirty-six teams representing 16 states and two Canadian provinces descended on Memphis October 10 through 12th to compete in the 2008 U-FLI Championship, hosted by Memphis’ own Fetchin’ Frenzi flyball club. The event was the culmination of a series of competitions that began in April in Tulsa with the first of five national qualifiers. Participation in this year’s event marked a more than 50 percent increase over the 2007 championship event.

Racing kicked off on Friday with the inaugural running of the Dream Team Challenge and the Singles & Pairs Championships. The Dream Team Challenge was just as it sounds – a chance for everyone to put together boundary-less teams, teams assembled without regard to club affiliation and that sometimes ignored the traditional thought processes that competition teams are built on.

“The stuff that dreams are made of” meant different things to different people. Yes, there were some dream teams not unlike our US basketball team that took gold in the ’92 Olympics, teams assembled with the belief that they were the best of the best . . . teams that could outperform all others. Still, other teams were founded on dreams where perhaps speed was secondary to, or at least no more important than, other considerations – teams with names like Better Red than Dead, Dash Hounds, Dogz from Down Undr’, Gold Rush and We are Family.

Twenty-four teams participated in the Challenge. Placing first in their respective divisions of the Dream Team Challenge were All BS, Division 1; Leap N River, Division 2; Gold Rush, Division 3; Endless Pawsibilities, Division 4; and Anythings Pawssible, Division 5.

The Singles & Pairs Championships drew 23 and six entries, respectively. Singles stayed true to form. It was about setting personal and breed-best times, but this year’s event included the added reward of divisional placement. Divisions were tight, with the spread generally being less than 2/10 of a second from the top to bottom seeds in each. Placing first in each of the divisions of the Singles Championship were Riff, Division 1; Impulse, Division 2; Krypto, Division 3; Rage, Division 4; and Lady, Division 5. Fastest time of the singles event was 3.645 posted by Jack Jack from Instant Replay. The winners of pairs divisions 1 and 2 were DGW – Alpha/Omega and Droolin Dragsters Cruisers, respectively. The fastest pairs time posted belonged to Hawkeye – Moxie/Shiner at 7.971.

Shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, October 11, the first of the teams competing in the U-FLI Championship 2008 took to the lanes. Championship racing would continue for just over two hours, after which the 42 standard teams that entered Saturday’s regular tournament, Barkin’ in Memphis, took to the lanes for their first block of racing. It, too, would run for more than two hours, after which the two events would begin their second rotations. At the end of the day placement for the round robin portion of the championship was posted, and the division winners of Saturday’s regular tournament were announced.

Throughout the weekend, there were reminders of where the future of flyball lies: Moments such as when the Dawged Forces Kids R Us P/U team took to the lanes Saturday in Standard 3 and moments such as Saturday evening when Melanie McAvoy presented Katlyn Stay of Dogs Gone Wild with the Advanced Junior Handler Award, the highest level of achievement awarded to junior handlers.

When Sunday rolled around, the race schedule became just a bit heavier. With championship racing scheduled to conclude mid-day on Sunday, eight more standard teams entered the regular tournament mix, for a total of 85 teams competing throughout the day. (The divisions 7 championship team completed its racing after Saturday’s round robins.)

In anticipation of the heavy race schedules, this year’s event included the addition of a third ring of competition. While there were some references to a 3-ring circus here and there throughout the weekend, those were more references of convenience than commentary on how things were run. This event was a huge undertaking for both the U-FLI organizers and Fetchin’ Frenzi, beginning with the race schedules that were painstakingly worked and re-worked and continuing with the ring control and volunteer management that was necessitated throughout. Both organizations delivered top-notch performances.

When the last dog crossed the finish line, these were the winners in their respective championship divisions:Division 1: Instant Replay
Division 2: Stampede
Division 3: Too Hot To Handle
Division 4: Double Dog Dare
Division 5: Woof Pack Flyball
Division 6: Weapons of Mat Destruction
Division 7: Droolin’ Dragsters

The U-FLI Championship 2008 and Barkin’ in Memphis were part of Showcase of Dogs, the most comprehensive and successful dog-related event in the Mid-South. Net proceeds from the event benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Instant Replay Sets New Fastest Recorded Flyball Time!

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0000

U-FLI is pleased to announce that on May 25, 2008, Instant Replay set a new U-FLI record and
the fastest recorded time in flyball, while at the Border Patrol tournament in Binbrook, Canada!

Instant Replay ran the following line-up in their record run:

Myles
A Mixed Breed
Owned by Kelly Ciggaar
Moose
A Whippet
Owned by Kelly Price
Quest
A Border Collie
Owned by Tammy Frank
Jack-Jack
A Whippet
Owned by Gord Mak

"Our team loved being pushed to do the best we could, the dogs loved the competition,
and the close racing allowed us to achieve this!"

Video of the run: Full video of the run (7 MB)

Dream Team Challenge at the U-FLI Championships!

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:50:00 -0000

Have you ever dreamed of running on that special team...well here's your chance !

All height dog team ?
All-rescue team, or an all Australian Shepherd team ?
Maybe only dogs with spots !

If you can imagine it, you can do it !

This year's Memphis St. Jude's Showcase of Dogs Championship weekend has been extended to 3 days. On Friday,
U-FLI will be offering this exciting new Dream Team Challenge. All teams will be pick-up and will place in their division. You can enter your own team, or combine with others. This would be a great opportunity for you to play on that "dream" team you always wanted to create.

The Championship committee is offering to collect the information for anyone that doesn't have an entire team to enter. People can email us with the dogs they have, the position they run, and the kind of team they wish to run on. For example, if a person in Memphis has a GSD and wants to run on an all GSD team, they could email us their info and when we see another person who also has a GSD, we can exchange your emails for further planning. We will also offer simple Pick-Up teams for those of you that don't have a specific type of team in mind. Simply note in your email information, that you would be willing to race with any group of dogs. Your dog's position if important, should be included. As the closing date approaches, we can help finalize the teams where help is needed.

The teams earn U-FLI points and again, for this event only, will place in their division. So if you are interested, email your name, your dog's info and the kind of team you wish to play on. We will try to match you and your dog with the type of team you're looking for. We are excited that this Friday only, pick up team "Dream Team Challenge" will be a great way to start off the Championship weekend. And don't forget that there will also be a "Singles and Pairs" championship on Friday.

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be singles and pairs, regular racing, including pick up teams as usual, along with the Championship teams. Lots of racing; lots of fun!

As always, questions or suggestions are welcome.

Click here for more information about the Championship program

Click here to e-mail the Committee

2008 U-FLI Championship Program

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:20:00 -0000

Ready . . . Set . . . Go!

to the

2008 U-FLI

CHAMPIONSHIP

Memphis, TN

St. Jude Showcase Of Dogs

October 10th - 12th

QUALIFY

Eligible clubs

· Must be in good standing with U-FLI;

· Must have competed in at least two different U-FLI events held on separate weekends during the 18 months prior to the closing date of the Qualifier;

· Will be assigned seed times based on the club’s fastest recorded time during the 12 months prior to the closing date of the Qualifier;

· May not previously have earned a spot at the current Championship at another Qualifier; and

· May enter only one team, which must be a Regular Team

At any of these five events:

Tulsa, OK – April 5^th

Ventura, CA – May 3^rd

Hastings, MI– June 21^st

Amana, IA – July 26^th

Talladega, AL – August 30^th

SEVEN DIVISIONS OF COMPETITIVE RACING
Division #	Low End	High End	Break Out
1	Under	16.000	N/A
2	16.001	17.000	15.751
3	17.001	18.000	16.751
4	18.001	19.000	17.751
5	19.001	20.500	18.751
6	20.501	22.000	20.251
7	22.001	Over	21.751

THE 2008 U-FLI CHAMPIONSHIP

- SEVEN DIVISIONS / SEVEN CHAMPIONS -

- RACING AS CLOSE AS IT CAN BE -

QUESTIONS?

Click here for more information

Click here to e-mail the Committee

"The Ultimate Dog Sport for Family and Fun"

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:00:00 -0000

As with many of the U-FLI tournaments, Leap of Faith’s Fall Flyball tournament truly highlighted the U-FLI slogan of “The Ultimate Dog Sport for Family and Fun’ when some of the youngest junior handlers in Flyball made their debuts!

Two and a half year old, Kate Cosaro (left), from Rev it Up, with her dog The Duke; ran head to head against three year old Ellery Olivas (right), from Leap of Faith, with her dog Trigger, in singles!

It was very obvious both girls and their dogs had practiced, and they show great potential to be fabulous handlers that any team would welcome. As a matter of fact; Leap of Faith’s tournament had many Junior Handlers who are well on their way to being an important part of their teams!

Great racing was enjoyed by all teams, and the weekend also included a fantastic potluck, as well as a hilarious doggie costume contest! But, all in all – the children stole the show!

St. Jude's Showcase of Dogs '07

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:10:00 -0000

Fetchin’ Frenzi brings U-FLI to the “St. Jude Showcase of Dogs” in Memphis for the first time and raised over $6000 for the St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital founded by the legendary Mr. Danny Thomas. Participants traveled from near and far to help raise money and make flyball a key contributor this year. Friday’s tournament offered singles and regular racing with 12 teams and some 20 singles getting things started on the first day. Saturday and Sunday offered regular racing with 37 teams competing in a prelude to the November Championship. The racing was tight between the divisions. The host club “Fetchin’ Frenzi” set a new personal best time breaking into the 16 second club with a 16.84. and The Gamblers from Alabama looking to break into the 15’s posted a heart wrenching 16.01. The crowds watching the racing were oblivious to the competitiveness of the teams but were in total awe of the enthusiasm the dogs displayed while racing. Children and adults alike were cheering for their favorite dogs which added to the excitement in the racing ring.

Each team was asked to bring an item for the raffle table and in the true spirit of giving the teams did not let St. Jude’s children down. The raffle was huge and helped raise over $1000. As in past charity events money was also raised from the “ Frenzi Memory Flags” the “Flags for Kids” and the U-FLI donation which helped Fetchin’ Frenzi make a record flyball contribution at this incredible event.

The competitors enjoyed a host of different flyball judges who graciously donated their time and waived their usual fee. Steve McAvoy and Tim Mulrooney headed up the judging team and were relieved by Annette Tindall, Paul Ferlitto and Elizabeth Hudson. All the teams provided box and line judges during breaks from their own racing. Various people helped at the score table and with the U-FLI pin scoring and pin distribution.

Not only was there excitement in the flyball ring, but plenty of shopping available. There were lots of vendors selling everything from dog food to jewelry. I saw many flyballers with arms loaded down with crate pads, tug toys and dog food. There were even T-shirts with the U-FLI logo on the back as a major sponsor of the event. And, if flyball wasn’t enough for a dog and handler to do, there was agility, obedience, lure coursing and many other dog related activities. There was no lack of food vendors either, everything from corn dogs, funnel cakes to sandwiches, ice cream and smoothies.

Overall, this is definitely a tournament to mark on your calendar for next year. Thank you to Fetchin’ Frenzi and all the teams who participated this year. Your hearts are as a big as the smiles upon your faces when Tim Mulrooney announced the amount raised this year by “YOU” the flyball community.

Your Dog Can Be the Fastest!

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:40:00 -0000

Every dog has it's day, and with U-FLI Singles your dog can be recognized as the fastest dog of it’s breed! In addition to issuing pins for dogs that participate in 10 singles events, U-FLI issues annual certificates in recognition of the fastest dog by breed.

U-FLI's Fastest Beagle 2006
Bonny
Owned by Ellen and Keith Sparkes

First Pawcific Storm Tournament

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:10:00 -0000

Pawcific Storm hosted their first U-FLI Tournament August 18th & 19th, on Victoria Island, British Columbia. With rain in the forecast; their Club scrambled at the last minute - located another venue, and moved the event indoors so everyone could race all weekend!

Ten new Junior Handlers earned their Novice Junior Award of Merit certificates over the weekend by supporting their teams by ball shagging, running dogs, box loading and even assisting at the score keeping table!

Racing was over early both days, allowing time for a fantastic pot luck gathering Saturday night. Luckily, there was enough of the Pina Colada cheese cake to go around - yum!

Congratulations to all of the teams who participated, and the dogs who earned new
U-FLI titles!