In the first of a new series of featured tournaments, ffindr presents the Monkey Foo Tournament in the French Alps. This annual mixed tournament, a true highlight of the French Ultimate tournament calendar, celebrates his tenth anniversary this weekend in Bourg d'Oisans. Except of the first two editions, ffindr added all Monkey Foo tournaments to its archive: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

François and Stéphane from the organisation team kindly answered the four following questions, giving some insights into this popular Ultimate Frisbee classic.

1. Do you remember the first edition? What changed compared to today?

In 1999, local team Monkey Foo invited three more teams (Patatas Bravas - Barcelona/Spain, Astronef - Strasbourg/France, Tourne-Disque - Clermont-Ferrand/France) to join them for a weekend of Ultimate in the mountains. Team Astronef from Strasbourg won this first encounter in Lans-en-Vercors close to Grenoble.

Ten years later, the tournament is fully mixed (co-ed) with 20 international teams and over 250 players. For several years now it happens on the same cosy spot in Le Bourg d'Oisans, featuring two great grass pitches right next to a bunch of comfy chalets -- where half of the teams reside. The other half camps right next to the fields, surrounded by a beautiful mountain scenery. Once on the spot, the tourney is all-inclusive -- breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even the drinks during the party with its legendary DJ contest.

2. Regarding a great number of applications, how do you choose the teams among all the applicants?

This year we invited all the previous winners of the tournament, plus the winners of the Spirit-of-the-Game prize. For the rest we try to find a good balance between intermediate and advanced teams to provide interesting and challenging games for everybody (like last year, the French mixed national team will play the Monkey Foo tournament!). We also attach great importance to having international teams in Bourg d'Oisans, providing encounters of teams that otherwise wouldn't meet each other. This year we proudly feature teams from 7 different nations, including a team from Norway!

3. Did the organisation of the tournament have a positive impact on the number of players of your club?

Probably not regarding the number of players, but definitly regarding the commitment to the club. The whole tournament is mounted by Monkey Foo players only, leading to closer bonds of players and club. This is probably best shown by a former american Monkey Foo player: she comes solely for the tournament's 10th anniversary to France -- and only for two days!

4. How about the future, will there be a 20th edition?

We try to continue with the same formula:

• an "all-inclusive" regarding accomodation, food and drinks.
• everything on one site, that is games, accomodation and party
• a fair price, allowing everybody to come play and live their passion
• a mixed format
• a limited number of teams (20 teams seems to be perfectly adapted)

Each edition is a big project consisting of plenty of work and incertitude, since we never know if we can come back next year and use the same facilities. But as long as there are a bunch of motivated Monkeys and a favorable municipal administration, we won't stop!

A big thanks to François and Stéphane from the organisation team! They took their time to answer the questions only a few days before the tournament, a surely busy moment.

Any suggestions for the next featured tournament?