Vol. 1 No. 1

The magazine of the All-England Hedge-Jumping Association

Vol. 1, No. 1, Sunday 11th July 2004




Privet-tastic: Nick East (GBR) literally re-launches his hedge-jumping career at Clivedon

Toby D’Olier holds on to title in exhilarating Clivedon climax

By Alex D’Olier in London
This year’s Clivedon Open took place on Sunday 4th July under dark skies and the constant threat of rain. In what proved to be a formidable final, Toby D’Olier held on to his title with a score of 9.7, narrowly beating a strong showing from fellow Briton Nick East. Sporting his athletic combo of flared jeans and rustic-beard, Nick East demonstrated his remarkable talent to bring to bear an arsenal of modern techniques…
See right for the full story

Vol. 1 No. 2

The Hedge-Jumper Sunday July 11th 2004
Special Report: Clivedon 2004 2
Clivedon Open 2004

By Alex D’Olier

This year’s Clivedon Open was always going to be something of a landmark event in the country’s sporting calendar. After recent defeats in the football and the tennis, the nation’s hopes were pinned on the annual hedge-jumping championships, live from Clivedon House in Buckinghamshire.
All eyes were on current titleholder and veteran Clivedon competitor Toby D’Olier (GBR), who was taking part despite suffering from back and leg injury. Speaking before the day of the tournament, Toby said “At the end of the day, I definitely think I’m fit enough to compete this year. It’s a game of two hedges.”
What was not expected however was the return of former child-stars Nick East (GBR) and Alex D’Olier (GBR) who missed last year’s event. Both made a dazzling return. Nick, who was unable to take part last year due to a beard-related injury, startled pundits with a marked return to form. Fellow jumper Alex had this to say: “It definitely shows that in hedge-jumping, commitment is everything. Nick had been training hard for the competition and you can definitely see the results”. Many have attributed Nick’s success to his rigorous warm-up exercises.

Nick scored 9.3 with his double-diagonal, a move he has pioneered thanks to girlfriend and coach Henri.
There was also competition from Alex D’Olier and Avi Patil. Alex was keen to match Nick’s success but was caught out by Clivedon’s famously tricky system of mini-

trenches that line the hedge-ways. Replays show his feet slipping in the trenches resulting in a spectacular butt-first landing. Thankfully this graceful dismount was rewarded by the judges with a score of 8.7.
Avi Patil’s (GBR) technique of short runs was well suited to Clivedon’s lawn-style surface. Despite complaining that his sponsors had issued him with over-smart trousers that were unsuitable for the slippery conditions, his strong performance of 8.9 showed him to be more than adept.
It was, however, Toby D’Olier (GBR) that the crowds on Clivedon House’s balcony had turned out to see. A veteran jumper, he showed the young upstarts that he was still a serious competitor. His running leap certainly answered critics and his trademarked ability to crash land on the far side of the hedge before sprawling to the earth earned him a staggering 9.7. This was enough to clinch the title for a second successive year.
It has been reported that Nick East was approached by Nike to star in some trainer adverts. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Toby D’Olier warned Nick against seeking too much limelight: “Look what happened to Anna Kournikova”.

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The Hedge-Jumper Sunday July 11th 2004

Warsaw, Prague and Florence
European Season begins in Poland

By Alex D’Olier

Avi Patil’s (GBR) strong showing at Clivedon leaves him well positioned as he moves to make his mark in Europe. Earlier this month he flew out for a three-week tour of eastern Europe, competing in both Poland and the Czech Republic.
He joins a long and celebrated line of British hedge-jumpers who have gone abroad in search of better climates and higher wages. Former Clivedon champion, Matthew East (GBR) recently returned home after a successful year-long training session in Florence, Italy; long renowned for its excellence in hedge-jumping. It was here after all, that Lorenzo di Medici supposedly popularised the sport in Europe by jumping over a hedge to escape an angry Sienese mob.

Matt was not available for comment at the time The Hedge-Jumper went to press, but it is hoped he will compete at Clivedon next year.

Bristol
Modern first for traditional sport

By Toby D’Olier

Our own correspondent Toby has unearthed evidence that our traditional sport is making something of a come back: “I was bored and found these f**kups online”, said Toby. When interviewed earlier today, Toby added: “Check out the pictures section - some pure genius there. Although I can’t help but feel that they are more Graffiti compared to our Picasso. Nonetheless, worth a look at least.” The Hedge-Jumper certainly agrees and recommends a visit to http://hedgecore.operationivy.com/.