good luck to phil and the rest of the squad...

Sixty years after allied troops conquered Berlin at the end of World War II, Beard Team USA hopes to fly the stars and stripes over the Brandenburg Gate once again, this time at the 2005 World Beard and Moustache Championships, set to take place in the German capital on October 1.

Realistically, the Americans have little chance of taking home top honors at this bi-annual event. After all, the Germans are hosting the contest, make the rules, choose and pay the judges, and define the categories. With 31 contestants traveling to Germany, Team USA hopes to establish itself at this year’s worlds as a force to be reckoned with in international facial-hair competitions.

This is a momentum-building year. The team is looking ahead to London 2007. Some day Team USA will be the team to beat.