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Stalgasin Hive, Geonosis -- Geonosians are baffled. The streets of Stalgasin Hive are still swarming with foreigners. They are not used to a massive invasion of tourists, especially for an extended period of time. The reason of this sudden inflow of outworlders is the GRRA Finals. The six-month-long season of reek riding has ended on Day 295, with a long prize-giving ceremony to award the winners and runner-ups in seven categories. Since its inception, reek riding has grown in numbers and popularity, reaching 37 registered riders with an average of 28 participating per event. Now, after sixty rounds in twenty events, reek riders have gathered to be acknowledged from the most demanding public in the galaxy, the Geonosians, in the most demanding location in the galaxy: Petranaki Arena.
The prize-giving ceremony received the blessing of the Geonosian Queen. Teams, reeks, and riders were awarded (see sidebar for details). The GRRA Marshal, Ruben Wan, gave us some figures on the season: "Over 70 million credits have been disbursed to the winners. These were partly covered by riders' fees and sponsorships." The GRRA accountants are still working on the final balance of season one, but apparently the overall revenues sum up to about 100 millions, while the expenses should be 30 million credits more. "We foresaw the first seasons would be a cost for us," said the GRRA Marshal, "and we planned to meet the break-even point by season three." Many millions were spent on entertainment and trophies. A few artists have donated their artworks, however, and one third of riders sent donations to raise the prize money. The trophies awarded have their own meanings, Mr. Wan explained. "The GRRA trophy is an engraved reek horn inside an antigravity case. The Ithorian trophy represents a Bafforr tree and a reek symbolising the need for each creature in this galaxy to find its own appropriate way of life. The Iridonian belt buckle carries the symbol of the clan Ken'nek Jenor. The colours black, white, and grey represent the clan's name 'Out of Darkness -- Light' or 'Light from Darkness,' while the reek is part the final trial in Res Selenoren. The Wooden Reek is a sort of funny trophy, with a reek in a, well, uncomfortable position. The Flying Rider shows a reek in the foreground and a rider in the air in the background. The Best Rider image is a joyous rider on a reek."
Reeks were drawn for each event from a pool of over one hundred heads. One reek was forced to retire after colliding with the arena railings. About a possible retirement for those reeks who have had a high percentage of participations, the GRRA Board has not come to a decision yet. "Some would like to see the same reeks in the next season, whereas some others insist on those reeks having a well-deserved rest. It's likely we'll make a poll among the riders in order to reach a consensus before the next season begins," Mr. Wan affirmed.
At all events, for one reek retired five reeks have made the GRRA history, and one has become a living legend. Badger Milk, the winner of the Best Reek prize, has almost been overshadowed by the presence of I'm A Gangster. The latter bucked off every rider but the last one. Many supporters of I'm A Gangster affirm that the reek was not up to par in the last event, on the grounds that Judges awarded a re-ride for the poor performance of the animal. In any case, I'm A Gangster has won the Most Valuable Reek prize and got the 3rd place for Best Reek: it will surely be remembered for generations to come. With the season now closed, many riders and fans are already missing the shows. On this subject, the Marshal affirmed: "Out-of-season events are possible. If people or companies want to host local events on their planets we can provide the know-how and reeks. However, organisers must provide everything else."
The GRRA Circuit touched seven significant places for reeks: Iridonia, Ithor, Kashyyyk, Ylesia, Codian Moon, Tatooine, and eventually Geonosis. Reek riding has played a part in increasing the awareness in the galactic population about those places: each planet has welcomed this sport in its own way, adding its colours, shapes, history, and in some cases, even reek riding songs. Even the isolationists Geonosians cannot refute this fact, now that they are reluctantly learning to welcome tourists... as long as they are not Kubaz, of course.
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SEASON PRIZES
Best Rider
Most Valuable Rider
Flying Rider
Wooden Reek
Best Reek
Most Valuable Reek
Best Team __________ CHAMPIONS
Sheva Sereta, Iridonian Inaugural Challenge |
