Well-informed visitors to Berlin this week could've been witnesses to the World Chess Boxing Championships which just finished up, crowning Russian Nikolai Sazhin as this year's world champion chess boxer.

Not up with the ultra-cool sport of chess boxing? Neither were we, but now we know it's literally a combination of boxing and chess. Six rounds of chess (each four minutes long) are alternated with five rounds of boxing (three minutes each), and you can lose the match either by getting into checkmate or being knocked out. At least, that's the simple version.

We are still trying to find out where the 2009 Chess Boxing Championships will be held, but as soon as we do, we're getting into training.

Related Stories:
· World Chess Boxing Organization [Official Site]
· World Chess Boxing Champ Crowned [Escapist]
· Berlin Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: AlexandreHervaud]]]> amandak 2008-07-08T09:08:12-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/20/113739/514

Remember when you were, like, six and your grandpa took you to that airshow? Kinda boring, right? Well the Red Bull Air Race World Series should change your mind about the whole going-to-see-planes thing.

The Air Race is what it sounds like: 12 pilots gun it around a course, skimming just 50 feet above land and water while doing 250 mph. They do their best to avoid those air-filled pylons, but obviously they knock into 'em occasionally.

The circuit flies into San Diego on May 3 for qualifying rounds and continues on race day, May 4. These nutsos will zip around the Big Bay between Embarcadero Park and Coronado Island. You'll need tickets, which start at $15; a two-day pass is a good deal at $30.

Related Stories:
· Red Bull Air Race [Official Site]
· Crazy Sports coverage [Jaunted]
· San Diego coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-03-20T15:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/1/3/16340/72835

We didn't do so well at college Spanish, however, our guess is Purepecha Pelota de Fuego means "fireball field hockey", or something similar.

During this ancient game, a volleyball made of bound rags is doused in diesel fuel and set aflame, while players try to swat the ball into goals, using a stick or a cane.  Oh, and did we mention that a foot long flame trails the ball through the air?

This game is played today in a central Mexico that was the historic capital of the Purepucha empire, a civilization that rivaled the Aztecs when the Spanish first set foot in the New World.

This high stakes game isn't just for brave locals, at Hacienda Mariposas, tourists can join in the weekly hotel staff flame ball game.

Rene Ocaña, the hotel owner and a retired attorney from California, said the game fits in with his efforts to promote the culture of Michoacan state. He says that is why he doesn't put televisions in the rooms, so the guests get out and learn about such marvels.

Ocaña encourages his guests to jump in and play the fireball game. He says the staff doesn't worry about going up in flames, because their embroidered cotton pants are hard to ignite.

Hope you have travelers insurance.

Related Stories:
·   A Fiery Ritual [Sun-Sentinel]]]> markj 2006-01-03T16:03:40-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/