Olympus 1999 Erick Lundgren and Cori Ander

Erick Lundgren from New Orleans had just won the Mr. Louisiana Olympus Leather 1999 the Saturday before (January 30) at the Phoenix about 12 blocks away from the Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans, LA. He was celebrating on consecutive Saturdays after being named Mr. Olympus Leather 1999 on February 6, thus becoming the first Louisiana contestant ever to win a national or international Leather title.
Cori Ander had already seen fellow Minnesotans Kevin Cwayna win International Mr. Leather in 1997 and Thomas Smith nab the Mr. International Rubber title in 1998. She made it a trifecta when she was named Ms Olympus Leather 1999. Cori had a loud and boisterous cheering section of at least 15 Leatherfolk who travelled to the Big Easy to cheer her and Greg Hausler on.
Mr. Florida Olympus Leather 1999 Jack Greeney was first runner-up and Mr. Minnesota Olympus Leather 1999 Greg Hausler was second runner-up among the men while Ms Georgia Olympus Leather 1999 Kerry was first runner-up and Ms Louisiana Olympus Leather 1999 Alisa was second runner-up among the women.
International Ms Leather 1991 Kay Hallanger and Mr. Minnesota Leather 1996 Michael DeLeon were the emcees who kept the contest moving at a brisk pace.
All of the fantasies were hot and the SM action was real, not simulated. Both Cori and Erick wowed the crowd during the Question answer category. Erick's rendition of a Cajun grandpa out in the bayou had everyone in stitches. He clearly homered as the judges even cheered loudly, usually a tell tale sign of good things to come for a contestant.
Five men and five women competed. The judges who had the tough job of choosing the winners were Mr. Olympus Leather 1998 Charles Garrett, Ms Olympus Leather 1998 Katherine, International Ms Leather 1999 Megan DeJarlais, Ebony in Leather Contest producer Cain Berlinger, Sandia Leather past president Diva Marie, Ms Louisiana Olympus Leather 1997 Lorna Pierce and head judge Daddy's bar owner Philip Turner. The tally master was International Master 1994 John Birch. Mr. Louisiana Leather 1998 Scott Garrett served as contestant coordinator and boy Kyle was the judges' slave.
Katherine and Charles gave traditional stepping down speeches. Charles' story was of a tough year and even abandonment by "friends" before he competed last year. He never expected to win and was completely taken by surprise when named the winner last year. He moved to Atlanta where he has become part of the sanctuary family. Katherine read a terrific poem that summed up her year as a titleholder.