There may be a changing of the guard on the greasy pole.
Crafty veterans like Anthony "Matza" Giambanco and Salvi Benson were passing the torch on to young up-and-comers like Jake Wood, Sandy Pallazolo and Vinny Parisi.
But Russell Hines changed all that. "Hinzo's" Sunday greasy pole championship last year, his first flag since winning on Saturday in 1989, proved that anything can happen. Hines' performance last year has served as an inspiration and a confidence builder to both veteran pole walkers and veteran seine boat rowers.
"(Russell) has been an inspiration to the older guys," said Lenny Billante, a seine boat veteran of 31 years. "He hadn't won for a while and to see him come back and win after 18 years is awesome."
Five-time greasy pole champion Giambanco shares Billante's sentiment.
"It's always been anybody's game and Russell proved it last year," said Giambanco, who last won the pole in 1980. "It all depends on the right speed and balance, and it was great to see Russell put it together last year because he is one of the greatest guys up there. It gives me a lot more confidence coming into this year's pole."
Giambanco added that he always felt that he had a shot to win, but age does make a difference.
"I haven't won in 28 years, but I never feel as if I don't have a shot," said the 51-year-old Giambanco. "The only time I felt I couldn't win was when Peter (Frontiero) won seven in a row. But after seeing Russell last year it gives us veterans new life. He hadn't won in 18 years and he beat a loaded field, he proved that you can still have what it takes even if you haven't won in a while."
Hines' 18 years between greasy pole titles is the longest gap in between wins. Sam "Samo" Frontiero held the old mark of 13 years when he won in 2000 for the first time since 1987. Peter "Black" Frontiero had an 11-year gap. He won in 2004, his previous win was in 1993, which was his seventh in a row.
Hines has not served as an inspiration for just greasy pole walkers. Seine boat rowers, like Billante, who has not won a championship in over eight years, has also used his story for confidence.
"(Not winning for a while) is frustrating," said Billante, who has won multiple championships with Desire in the 1980s and Determination in the 1990s. "But seeing Russell last year was inspiring, it makes you push just a little bit more for that championship. Successful seine boat crews lately have been a mixture of the young and old, and my crew (Ralph Martin's Gang) has that mixture, so anything can happen."
All in all, Billante thinks Hines' victory last year has opened the door for veteran rowers and pole walkers.
"His win absolutely opened the door for the veteran guys," Billante said. "There will be more veterans competing and they will be confident, especially on the greasy pole."
FIESTA SPORTS SCHEDULE
Tomorrow
5 p.m.: Seine boat elimination races, Pavilion Beach
Thursday
6 p.m.: Fiesta Five Road Race, St. Peter's Square
Friday
4:45 p.m.: Greasy pole contest and women's seine boat race, Pavilion Beach
Saturday
9:30 a.m.: Youth soccer game followed by adult soccer game, Newell Stadium
10 a.m.: Military seine boat race, U.S. Coast Guard vs. U.S. Navy, Pavilion Beach
2:30 p.m.: Youth Basketball Tournament, Fort Playground
4:45 p.m.: Seine boat races and greasy pole contest, Pavilion Beach
Sunday
4:45 p.m.: Seine boat races and greasy pole contest, Pavilion Beach
