http://www.extremeironing.com
‘Just when you thought you had the ability to distinguish between the actual and the parodied, extreme sport enthusiasts have done something completely unexpected: they’ve made ironing a sport.
According to British creator Phil “Steam” Shaw, during an interview with BBC News last year, the beauty of Extreme Ironing is that it “combines the thrill of an extreme sport with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.”
Extreme Ironing merges the world of the domesticated with the world of the outdoorsman. It’s simultaneously rugged and refined, while still maintaining a semblance of good taste.
In short, this is no activity for aging sedentary housewives. This is a way to teach that wayward, athletic child some responsibility.
That same child can win a medal if (s)he gets good enough.
Last September, the first Extreme Ironing Championships took place. The Brits conquered the competition on the sport’s homeland. The Championship included teams from nine different nations. Two British teams took home both the gold and bronze medals.
Shaw’s motto is “An ironed shirt in hand is worth two in the basket.” This is not a saying that he takes lightly, considering the fact that the champions are judged partly on their ironing skills.
According to BBC News, the contestants “were judged on their creative ironing skills as well as the quality of the creases in the clothing, which included tea towels, T-shirts and boxer shorts.”
That goes to show you that you may not be able to judge a book by its cover but someday soon you may be able to judge an athlete by the crease in his/her shirt.
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