Twelve Dudes and a Hype Tunnel: Scenes from the ‘Super Bowl for Excel Nerds’
At the Microsoft Excel World Championship in Las Vegas, there was stardust in the air as 12 finance guys vied to be crowned the world’s best spreadsheeter.
♫ It’s the Excel World Championship. ♫ ♫ Who is going to win? ♫ “The Annihilator. The Child from Chile.” ♫ Who’s going in the spreadsheet bin? ♫ “You are not prepared.” “None of us are.” “Three, two, one, Excel!” “This is a tough case.” “It is.” “Oh, look at that. And he’s made the numbers out of it on off to the side.” “10 seconds.” “Come on.” “Anything. Is anything going to happen?” “Michael Jarman—” “Look at that!” “Takes the win. All those years of training have come to this moment in 2024.” “The world championship.”
Like soccer players taking the field in a giant stadium, the 12 finalists ran through a glowing “hype tunnel,” some wearing jerseys with sponsorship logos. As an announcer bellowed introductions and cameras captured their every move, they approached a neon-lit stage to raucous cheers.
