Pipe Band regroups after

disappointing third

A third place finish at the World

Pipe Band Championships has dashed hopes that the Simon Fraser University Pipe

Band could win the title three times in a row.

But Pipe Sergeant Jack Lee says the

band performed its best and is pleased to remain one of the world's tops

bands.

"It's a disappointment to lose this

year after winning two straight championships, but as we see it, we've

officially finished in the top three and that's still a good feeling," says Pipe

Sergeant Jack Lee. "We've been here before. We'll be back."

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band

Association (RSPBA), which organizes the event, has apologized to the SFU band

for announcing its finish as fourth place during the presentation ceremony, with

Scotland's Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band taking third.

The bands had been tied for third,

but marks for the ensemble -- how well the bands play in each of two

performances - were read incorrectly.

On its website, the RSPBA explains

that a review of the marks has "Simon Fraser University from Canada taking third

spot on an Ensemble Preference from fourth place Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia.

Unfortunately this was announced the wrong way around and we apologise to both

bands for this error."

It was the Irish who won big, with

St. Lawrence O'Toole of Dublin taking first place and long-time rivals Field

Marshal Montgomery of Northern Ireland finishing second at the event, attended

by a record 53,000 spectators.

Meanwhile the band had reason to

celebrate as SFU Drum Major Jason Paguio took the top prize in the World Drum

Major championship.

Paguio, from California, has been

with the band for two years. He delighted the crowds in George Square on

Wednesday during the band's outdoor performance.

"He is very easily the best at his

craft," says Lee. "He can toss the mace and catch it flawlessly, I've never seen

anyone quite like him."

Of the 26 bands competing in the

finals of the elite Grade 1 competition the SFU band placed fourth in the March,

Strathspey and Reel and second in the medley.

Lee felt the band gave stellar

performances at the Worlds and came into the competition playing at its best.

The weather cooperated with a cloudy and pleasant afternoon followed by sun for

the mass band march in the evening.

"I felt we gave the best

performance of the year," Lee said following the medley, as band members

embraced and gave sighs of relief. "We have won many times and we've placed many

times in the top three or even the top five.

"We'll regroup after this, as we

have before many times," he adds. "We know that we can't expect to win the

championship every time. We also know we can bounce back."

The SFU Pipe Band has won six

championships in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008, and 2009. The band is gearing up to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.