This years Wing Championship Series promises to be the most competitive yet. With the addition of top ranked professional Eaters Gentleman Joe Menchetti and Arnie Chowhound Chapman spectators and competitive Eating fans are likely to see some of Pittsburgh best eaters at the top of their game. The last time Chapman and Menchetti visited the Keystone state (except for their recent trip to Pittsburgh to qualify) both gurgitators competed for the Pennsylvania State Hoagie Eating Championship in Horsham Pa. sponsored by Lee's Hoagie House. Chapman and Menchetti finished a decisive 1-2 leaving no doubt that Pennsylvania needed a better answer for these two well traveled Eaters. None of the Pittsburgh Wing finalist attended the Hoagie Eating Championship and have promised on air to to send these two Eaters packing. Chowhound Chapman discovered first hand in June of 2004 how stubborn Pittsburgh pride can be when he faced off against Broken Wing Maurizio and Killer Kuhns (Lord of the Wings) in a marathon, no-hands Hot dog Eating Contest called the Dawg Bowl (organized by Pitt, ESPN 1250) and lost to Killer Kuhns 56 HD's to 54 HD's and he narrowly beat Broken Wing who finished with 53. Last years champion, "Capt Butthead" has already sent Gentleman Joe a note advising him that the WCS title runs through his back yard. Gentleman Joe's, known as New England's best competitive Eater will also be a great source of motivation for the Pittsburgh contingent who are still angry over the recent loss of their beloved Steelers to the New England Patriots.

Given this as the backdrop to Friday's big Chicken wing Extravaganza I submit the following predictions. Killer Kuhns, aka "Lord of the Wings, aka Kuhn Dog Kuhns, will take first place. Bob Kuhns is a talented Eater with great potential who would be much better known if his work schedule allowed him to compete more often. Killer Kuhns is also an Eater who competes with a relatively small geographical range and would be better known if he attended more contests. Killer Kuhns will send notice to the Competitive Eating community on Friday January 28th that he deserves to be recognized as one of America's top Eaters. Gentleman Joe Menchetti will lead for most of the contest until the last 2 minutes when he will be passed by Killer Kuhns, aka "Lord of the Wings" in Wing Eating frenzy. Chowhound Chapman will eat at a very steady pace through out the competition and will finish strong to pass "Capt Butthead in the last two minutes and show the type of closing speed demonstrated by "The Captain" in last years victory. Broken Wing Maurizio will finish fifth unable to catch a second wing (I mean wind) after staying in striking distances of the leaders for most of the contest. Winglesbery and and Tex will take the 6th and 7th positions. Their totals would exceed 100 if they competed in the last two minutes of the competition. After al is said and done, The ESPN, Pittsburgh Wing Championship Series will be one of the most exciting eating contests ever witnessed.

Q. What Do you think? Send us your comments, hurry up, the contest is in three days!

PRE-RACE PREDICTIONS:

1. Killer Kuhns 124
2. Gentleman Joe 121
3. Chowhound Chapman 117
4. Capt Butthead 114
5. Broken Wing 108
6. Winglesbery 97
7. Tex 96