Key Highlights
- Gerwyn Price suffered a series of travel mishaps before exiting the European Darts Championship.
- The Welsh darter faced multiple challenges including lost luggage and a hotel fire alarm.
- Price’s poor performance in his match against Daryl Gurney reflected the impact of his travel issues.
- The incident highlights the importance of managing logistics during major sporting events.
Ashley Carney – The Iceman’s Turbulent Journey
Gerwyn Price, commonly known as “The Iceman,” faced a whirlwind of travel difficulties before his early exit from the European Darts Championship. His journey to Dortmund was fraught with complications that seemed to set a negative tone for his tournament.
Pre-Tournament Mishaps
The Welsh darter began his trip with a series of logistical challenges. At the airport, he encountered issues with his fuel card machine breaking down in the early hours of the morning. This initial setback was compounded by a misroute due to an incorrect postcode, which took him on a 10-minute detour.
Despite these hurdles, Price managed to clear security just as his flight departed, and he sat at the Dortmund train station, waiting for the wrong platform. His case was left behind, but thanks to technology, he quickly recovered it using an Apple tracker before taking another train back to the hotel.
The Hotel Nightmare
Upon arrival in Dortmund, Price faced further challenges. The hotel where he checked in was described as resembling a hostel, and attempts to change hotels due to the ongoing football weekend proved unsuccessful. His breakfast was cut short, leaving him with insufficient time for sustenance.
To make matters worse, just before his match against Daryl Gurney, a fire alarm went off, causing everyone to evacuate the hotel temporarily. Price’s performance in the match reflected these stressors as he struggled to hit doubles, ultimately losing 3-6.
Price’s Reflections
In an emotional post on Facebook, Price detailed his experiences and admitted that his poor showing was partly due to the travel issues. “Train pulls up behind me on platform 5 so I rush and forget my case, leaving it on the platform,” he wrote. “Luckily, I have an Apple tracker so my phone flashed up saying it was no longer close to me.” He added, “Finally arrive in Dortmund and get a taxi to the hotel. Driver decides he only takes cash so I searched everywhere for a cash machine but nothing.”
Despite the difficulties, Price managed to secure some food through his ingenuity, securing 15 minutes of free food by walking back from a location where the card machines were not working.
The Road Ahead
Price’s exit from the tournament has raised questions about the importance of proper logistics management in major sporting events. As he prepares for future competitions, ensuring smooth travel and accommodation arrangements will be crucial.
Despite the setback, Price remains optimistic, stating that his next competition will offer a fresh start. “I had food this afternoon which was a 15min walk, the card machine wasn’t working there either,” he wrote. “On the plus side I had €25 worth of food for free.”
The incident serves as a reminder to all athletes and organizers about the potential impact of travel-related issues on performance. As the darts community awaits his return at the new-look world championship, which starts on December 11, Price will be looking to bounce back with improved preparation.
