I want to get enough preface work done that I can overcome what I expect to be a tough time getting internet access. I’ve heard some horror stories about price per minute in Moscow last September, during the World Championship. I’m going to be in Makhachkala, which is south, on the coast of the Caspian Sea. That may make it easier or it may make it harder. Makhachkala is the capital of Dagestan, a Republic that has not yet achieved independence but, I believe, would like to.

Dagestan held their Parliamentary elections last weekend. Depending on how that went, internet access at the hotel could be flowing or restricted. Being the only American at the event, I’m going to choose to be very sensitive to the wishes of my hosts. The Russian Federation has treated me like a king, just being able to get to Makhachkala. I feel like I should respond in a respectful manner.

This trip is unique, by most standards. The United States is not represented in the 2011 Freestyle World Cup. The top ten teams in last September’s World Championship are. Those ten include Kyrgyzstan (10), Hungary (9), Ukraine (8), Uzbekistan (7), Bulgaria (6), Georgia (5), Iran (4), Cuba (3), Azerbaijan (2), Russia (1).

I asked permission, from both our Officials' Association and the Russian Federation, to pay my own way to the World Cup. The reason starts simple, but gets slightly complex. Simple: The World Cups, in all three styles, offer a Type IV clinic for officials. For a Category I official to maintain that category, we are required to attend a Type IV clinic annually. Complex: There are 17 Category I officials in the United States now. FILA offers very few Type IV clinics, so it is often a scramble to find one we can afford. Being on Spring Break allows me to travel without having to lose pay. Getting my clinic early takes some pressure off me personally. Getting this clinic also means I can help one of my colleagues get his. I can pull myself off the waiting list for summer clinics and allow a guy who needs his to move up. It's not often we get to do something that's really good for us, and be able to take care of the "team". Feels good !

I mentioned that traveling to Dagestan is somewhat challenging, and I want to talk some about that. But it'll have to wait for another paragraph. It's important that I not go any further without giving some regards and thanks to some other people. One of those is my dear friend and teacher, Vince Zuaro, who passed recently. I hope you got to read Gary Abbot's obituary for Vince. Wrestling, coaching and officiating, especially in the United States, are richer for having known this wonderful human. Vince was inducted into FILA's Hall of Fame in Moscow, last September. I want to make it a point to honor his legacy, as I work in Russia this weekend.

Earlier, I mentioned elections in Dagestan, last weekend. The Freestyle World Cup was originally scheduled for March 12th and 13th. The decision was made to bump the event forward a week, in order to insure the safety of the participants. For me, the date change was a tough one ! I had already purchased all my flights, at least as far as Moscow. I had everything worked out so that I could begin and end my international journey in Philadelphia. That would have put me back in Phillie on March 15th and I would have been able to volunteer at the NCAA's. The plan was perfect... until FILA moved the World Cup. Now, I know, I'm going to miss one of the best Division I showdowns in recent memory.

I want to extend my best wishes to all the participants. I know Brands and John and Rob and Cael will enjoy the pressure. I know this is Spates' last show. Sorry to miss it. I hoped to be there for Robles' next Standing O'. Consider me standing, Anthony. Thanks for the honor your have brought to our culture. I wish Hag, Ben Miller and the rest of the officials a good tournament. To say smooth or easy, really doesn't fit the environment of the event. I'll just offer that old officials' blessing, "Don't screw up !"

My Thank You's begin with Jamie McNabb, at USA Wrestling. Jamie has "mothered" me through a lot of trips, but none as challenging as this one. Jaime takes care of all of us, often behind the scenes. Know that you are appreciated. Jamie's Russian counterpart, Olga, has also gone the extra mile to help me. What a wonderful representative of one of the world's most respected fedrations. Thank You.

Thanks to our US Officials Association's International Committee and De Heyman, our Executive Assistant. Tucci, Stecklein, De... all three made some valuable conections for me to get permission to attend this World Cup.

Thanks to my family. Eva and Sterling... without you two, I would never be able to dare these little adventures. It's beyond description, just how wonderful it feels to be loved by you. OK... enough syrup... but it comes from the heart and it deserves to be made public !

I mentioned that getting to Makhachkala is a little tricky. Makhachkala is in a region that still experiences a touch of instability now and then. Our State Department frowns on Americans visiting the region, and they make it impossible to purchase a ticket to fly in there. So, all of my ticketing ends in Moscow. From there, I lean on the hospitality of the Russian Wrestling Federation to get me the rest of the way, then back to Moscow. This is where Olga and Jamie took care of me. I'm on the flight from Albuquerque to DFW now. From Dallas, I go to Frankfurt, then Moscow.

If I understand it right, I will hire a car when I clear customs in Moscow. The driver will take me to a smaller airport, about an hour and a half away. There, I will meet a member of the Russian Federation and take a 'Red-Eye' to Makhachkala. I like the adventure of it all... Get to live out a little 'Bourne Identity' action... but this one may tax my abilities in managing logistics, not to mention my limited ability to speak Russian. I read Cyrillic pretty well, but my conversational abilitite are limited.