On the second day, the festival moved to the moat, an actual abyss, in front of the castle walls of Bayonne. There, the contestants faced a series of challenging trials, and only the ones demonstrating courage, balance and board control made it out alive. The ensuing celebrations were taken to the local tavern Ménage à Trois, and continued on the Adour riverbanks until the early morning hours.

When the sun rose on the third day, it remained uncertain if it was the abyss in front of the castle walls or the local tavern that had taken out more contestants. But nonetheless, everyone, dead or alive, found their way to the outskirts of town. It was there, below the towers of La Zup, that the final trials would take place. In a race for the ages, King Andy sent the contestants down the steep slopes of Bayonne’s hillside, over and over again, until there was only one man left standing… Amidst thunderous applause, His Serene Highness Matteo of Mechelen, was declared heir to the throne. Celebrations broke out, knights jumped over towers, and just before the masses were about to leave for one last dance at Ménage à Trois, King Andy showed a final gesture of kindness. He elevated youngling Lukas of Les Lands to knighthood through the accolade of MVP for his bravery throughout the whole festival. Long live ZupIn!