The Finals for Kitsap’s Amazing Race – July: A Pinball Adventure!

On July 27, 2024, the Finals for Kitsap’s Amazing Race unfolded with all the drama and excitement you’d expect from a pinball showdown. Hosted by the talented Richard Godwin, this 4-hour tournament featured three rounds of intense gameplay with four skilled players battling it out on some of the best pinball machines around. The action started at 4:00 PM and didn’t let up until the final flip at 8:11 PM.

The Mystery Location: A Developer’s Oversight

Now, before we dive into the games, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the bug in the system. Our AI team forgot to fix a glitch, leaving us with an undisclosed location for the event. Oops! Blame it on the lazy developers who clearly need to up their game. Anyway, let’s get to the good stuff!

Game Spotlight: The Mandalorian (Premium)

Round 1 kicked off with a thrilling match on Stern’s The Mandalorian (Premium). Released in July 2021, this game is packed with modes that mirror the adventures of our favorite bounty hunter. Conrad Rustad took the lead, navigating through modes like “Razor Crest Multiball” and “This Is the Way” with the finesse of Mando himself. Rachel Kahalekulu gave a solid chase, shining during “Ambush” but couldn’t quite capture the bounty. Richard Godwin held their own but struggled with “Hunter,” while Jennifer Bremerton had a rough start, getting caught in the crossfire during “Mudhorn.”

Pinball Machines: Stars of the Show

The tournament featured 13 incredible machines, each with its own unique flair. The Monster Bash (Remake) had players jamming with classic monsters in a rock ‘n’ roll concert setting. Icarus from Recel took us back to the golden age of pinball with its vintage charm, while AC/DC (Premium) cranked up the volume with its electrifying soundtrack and gameplay. Other standouts included Sharpshooter, Houdini: Master of Mystery, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, each offering their own challenges and thrills.

The Champions: A Round of Applause

Let’s give a big shoutout to the tournament winners! Conrad Rustad, the pride of Bremerton and the 2nd-ranked player in Washington, took home the top prize, adding another impressive win to his 274 IFPA events. Rachel Kahalekulu came in a close second, showcasing her skills and rising to 148th in the state with a whopping 590 events under her belt. Jennifer Bremerton snagged third place, proving their versatility with 151 events and a strong state rank of 140th. And rounding out the top four, Richard Godwin, our fantastic organizer, put up a great fight and landed in 149th place in Washington.

Washington IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping It Up

A big thank you to Richard Godwin for organizing this fantastic event and to everyone who came out to play. The Mandalorian match was definitely a highlight, showcasing the skill and strategy of our top players. Stay tuned for more pinball action and recaps, and keep those flippers flipping! Until next time, may the force be with you—or, you know, may your shots be true and your scores high!