WBC Prep is in full swing. I'll have a more detailed article later about the WBC. For now, here's some photos and some brief talk.

I guess the first issue is that out of a room of maybe 70, 80 people taking the sensory skills test, only six in the new group, and about eight or nine in the Trieste group of judges passed the Sensory Skills test. It's a shockingly low number, and some are upset. Word has it that the scoring is different than at the USBC Sensory Skills test, but I'd like to find out more about that before posting an opinion.

Trieste certified judges are the only judges allowed to judge this year's WBC... those of us who certified this week are not allowed... until Berne next year. Even judges who didn't pass the sensory skills can still judge (if they certified, sans sensory skills, last year in Trieste). That means people who passed this year, and also passed the Sensory, are locked out.

Personally not crazy about this kermuffle, but I am happy with one thing. I passed WBC Certification this year, and passed sensory in March, so I'm now officially WBC Certified for 2 years. It's a personal thing I wanted to do, and I've done it. The irony is, I have my doubts I'll be going to Berne to cover it next year, or to judge.

Anyway, here's a few photos today from the Barista meeting, where all the world's champions got together for a detailed briefing.

Michelle Campbell The tireless Michelle addressing all the national champions. The Champs 36 national champions and their trainers listening to the WBC Briefing. Sammy Piccolo Sammy, Canada's champ, at the meeting. Emily Oak One of the big wigs in the WBC is the very down to earth and fun Emily Oak from Australia.