For most people who are just starting to get acquainted with the culture of smoking high-quality tobacco, the concept of "championships on smoking "seems to be something paradoxical and even funny. But not for active members of the pipe-smoking community, who not only know the rules well, and some even train, but also perfectly understand that the Championship is rather an excellent occasion to meet people who are keen on pipe. This hobby has long become a way of thinking, and people of completely different professions and ages can forget about all the troubles for a few days and plunge into the friendly atmosphere of a joyful meeting.

This happens at most smoking competitions in the world, but in a special way in Odessa, where every year in late spring and early summer the Championship of Ukraine in slow pipe smoking takes place. This year he became the 14th in a row.

Each time the organizers, the Odessa Tube Lovers Club, come up with a new theme for decoration and near-competition events. This time, the participants remembered the wonderful films shot at the Odessa Film Studio, and especially "Vertical", a film about romantic climbers, where Vladimir Vysotsky played the main role. Songs from the film are known and loved by many generations. Certainly, the heroes of the film would go to a pipe with delicious tobacco.

Actually, the three-day program began with a visit to the film studio. An experienced guide Valeria Logvinova, who, one might say, "in the third generation" is associated with the film studio, introduced the guests to its museum. Valeria's grandfather Logvinov Valery Alexandrovich, worked at the Film Studio for 54 years and it was he who was the master of lighting on the set of "Vertical", after him the cine dynasty continued, and already his son, Oleg Valerievich Logvinov, is one of the co-founders and curator of the Cinema Museum.

Of course, Valeria had something to tell and show to the audience. And not just show, but even give to touch and put on the legendary costumes in which the actors of famous films were filmed. Everyone did not miss the opportunity and, of course, tried on vivid images with the pipe.

After that - the continuation of pleasant meetings with friends in the summer cafe, discussion of preparations for the championship and even planning future events.

The main competition day is traditionally Saturday. It was on May 29 that those who like to smoke for a while gathered in the Georgian restaurant "Gaga", which is located in Krasny Lane, 11.

This year, although the championship is called "open", only "athletes" from Ukraine could come to it due to quarantine restrictions , but the geography of the participants was again the most extensive - Kharkov, Mariupol, Transcarpathia, Kiev, Lvov, of course, Odessa, and other cities were represented in the competition.

After that - the continuation of pleasant meetings with friends in the summer cafe, discussion of preparations for the championship and even planning future events.

But, of course, this day was remembered not only by competitions. First of all, those present were able to appreciate the works of the best Ukrainian masters - Konstantin Shekita, Oleksandr Bestik, Oleksiy Plashkov, Oleksandr Antonenko, and many added new master pipes to their collection. The stand of "especially popularCigar House Fortuna" was, where one could get acquainted with the assortment of pipe tobacco by the partner of the Championship - the Danish company Mac Baren, this brand is strongly associated all over the world with pipe smoking, for which the best tobacco is selected. There you could also choose accessories and consumables, and the highlight was the tasting of newcigars Moods Flame Filter, which was masterfully conducted by Alexey Grigoriev. The audience appreciated the softness, sweet taste and natural tobacco shades, especially the beautiful cover of these cigarillos grown in San Antonio and oriental tobacco motifs.

The next number of the tasting program was the acquaintance with selected sorts of coffee brewed using alternative technology. This is not the first time we start the day with coffee from Foundation Coffee Roasters, a permanent partner of the smoking competition, but each time the participants discover something new for themselves.

Those who like to combine stronger drinks with a pipe were in for another surprise - the sommelier of the Vina Mira Trading House Yulia Bronnikova presented a very original Black Tears Spiced rum, created by the French company The Island Rum Company AS. The combination of distillate aged in oak and selected spices, coffee, cocoa, hot sweet pepper Aji Dulce created a memorable picture, which also perfectly complemented various tobacco blends.

Actually, there were also pictures, and also dedicated to a common hobby - the pipe. Odessa artist Valeriy Yukhimov presented his series of works at the championship, which shows his relationship with the pipe. On his canvases, the pipe blossoms like a myth, offering the viewer various interpretations.

Traditionally, the Council of Presidents chaired by Dmitry Gurinchik discussed the urgent situation in the pipe-smoking community. True, all the presidents of the Clubs noted that now, despite the difficulties associated with the pandemic, it is more stable than ever and pleasing to all participants. But there is room for improvement!

And the main part is the Championship. This time,was chosen as the competition tobacco Mac Baren Virginia Flake, with a light, balanced, but expressive taste, dominated by a slight Virginia sweetness. It burns for a long time and slowly even in ordinary smoking, therefore records were expected from the participants. The championship tube was traditionally created by the Golden Gate company under the leadership of Viktor Rogovets, this time the bulldog shape was chosen, and the surface was decided to be combined with a combination of smooth brirar and rustic processing.

Odessans generally performed well, for the second time in a row they took the first command place, proving that the Odessa Tube Lovers Club is one of the most active in our country.

And then, again by tradition, a general photo and an award ceremony, because the prize fund was very rich!

The winner, Konstantin Shekita, chose a pipe from Alexey Plashkov, received a coffee machine from Foundation Coffee Roasters as a gift, he will once again taste the Black Tears Spiced rum presented by the Vina Mira Trading House, and, as a great wine lover, will enjoy the samples presented " Winery of Prince P.M. Trubetskoy ", a partner of our holiday.

Many participants were able to choose valuable gifts presented by partners, including pipes and coasters from Anton & Co Pipe Studio, pipes by Vladimir Komarov and Alexander Bestik, tobacco and cigars from Cigar House Fortuna, wine from Prince P.M. Trubetskoy ", rum from the Trade House" Wines of the World ", a special gift from the Dnieper Club of Pipe Lovers and even a special set for a long expedition, which was lovingly collected by our Vitaly Korovyakov, many pipe smokers from Odessa took part in its creation. This prize went to Beregovo, because it was from there that the most "distant" participant in the competition, Viktor Kulikovsky, came.

In general, thanks to our company and Foundation Coffee Roasters, no one left without gifts!

And after that - a solemn banquet with a plentiful Georgian table accompanied by the best wines and spirits, songs, dances and a great Odessa evening. There was also the third day - and again the "smoky picnic" on the Black Sea coast. And, of course, no one wanted to leave, so it was decided to meet much more often, and already on August 22, Odessans are invited to the Black Sea Cup!

Photo by

Vitaly Korovyakov, Dmitry Baev, Sergey Shcherbina, Sergey Lezhnev

Text

Dmitry Gurinchik