The voting continues for the upcoming Magic Invitational 2006. This week, it’s the turn of the Fan Favorite. The candidate list is long — the top two gain a spot on the final roster.
From StarCityGames.com, we have the following contenders. As usual, all biographical blurb is from MagictheGathering.com.
Tim Aten: Talks the talk on a very short list of the game’s most gifted writers and walked the walk with a Top 16 at Pro Tour-London.
Jeff Cunningham: Two Top 32 finishes on the Pro Tour during the past season coupled with some of the year’s very best articles propelled him to second on the North American ballot — is he a fan favorite?
Sam Gomersall: While playing online in last year’s Invitational, this hardcore drafter had another window going with a draft under his regular account. He loves drafting more than you do.
Mark Herberholz: Please forward all of Mark’s mail to Heezy Street, where he is sleeping off the celebratory excesses after winning Pro Tour-Honolulu.
Julien Nuijten: The 2004 Rookie of the Year and World Champion showed no signs of a sophomore slump with a pair of Grand Prix trophies added to his mantle in 2005.
Rich Hoaen: A blue-haired Hoaen derailed Jon Sonne from rolling to his third Grand Prix win when he won Grand Prix-Richmond.
Anton Jonsson: Part of the Mantle/Mays argument over the best Limited player of all time, he was recently seen casting Magnivores in 60-card decks.
Chris McDaniel: Star Wars Kid has emerged as the poster child of combo players the world wide after his breakout performance in Los Angeles with Heartbeat of Spring.
Shuhei Nakamura: Started the 2005 season with a Top 2 in Columbus and ended it with a Top 8 at the World Championships. Throw in a Top 9 in Philadelphia and it adds up to Level 6 — currently the only Level 6 not heading to E3.
Gadiel Szleifer: You can argue that he is controversial but you can’t argue with two Pro Tour Top 8s — including a Sunday seizing in Philly — and the highest finish of any American in the Player of the Year race.
Tomi Walamies: What does this guy think he is — a comedian? Oh wait… he is. After his amazing Top 8 comeback in London, Tomi split the sides of everyone who could pack in to a London club to see his comedy show later that Sunday.
For examples of their writing, simply click on their name and access their archives.
You can cast your votes here.
Good luck, gentlemen!
As for my votes… again, it’s a very close call. However, I recently received an “article” from the much-missed Tim Aten, entitled “My Invitational Plea.” I present the text of the article, in full, below:
“WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? JUST VOTE FOR JEFF CUNNINGHAM ALREADY. YEESH.”
Well said, Tim. Well said.