Australia’s Ann Maree Putney and Jason Belmonte are amongst the throng of the world’s top bowlers here in St. Petersburg for the 43rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, now underway until 11 November. The QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup is the largest annual international sports championship in the world in terms of number of participating nations.
Wearing the familiar green and gold, the pair proudly marched with the Australian flag flying as part of the contingent of athletes from more than 90 countries during this evening’s spectacular official Opening Ceremony at the 32-lane Kontinent Bowling Centre.
After the traditional march-out, a colourful troupe of talented drummers launched the Opening ceremony and the entertainment climaxed with traditional Cossack singing and dancing, and dramatic cannon fire.
"We wanted everything to be perfect till we brought this event to this great country, and this year we think we have all the right ingredients in place…we are extremely excited about bringing the Bowling World Cup to St Petersburg," said QubicaAMF President, John Walker during the Opening ceremony. He congratulated all participants who have journeyed to Russia to represent their nations, reminding the audience that they are all champions in their own countries.
"In this event, sportsmanship is just as important as victory," he said, noting that the staging of the Bowling World Cup in Russia coincided with the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Federation of Sports Bowling of Russia.
An intense schedule of competition follows today’s official practice, with 6-game squads scheduled from 8am each day until Thursday, when the top 24 qualifiers in both the men’s and women’s division will play an additional eight games for the cut to the top eight qualifiers. An innovation to the format this year will then see the top eight bowl a matchplay format, with bonus points, to determine the top three male and female qualifiers for the televised stepladder final.
#
Lynne Clay
Wearing the familiar green and gold, the pair proudly marched with the Australian flag flying as part of the contingent of athletes from more than 90 countries during this evening’s spectacular official Opening Ceremony at the 32-lane Kontinent Bowling Centre.
After the traditional march-out, a colourful troupe of talented drummers launched the Opening ceremony and the entertainment climaxed with traditional Cossack singing and dancing, and dramatic cannon fire.
"We wanted everything to be perfect till we brought this event to this great country, and this year we think we have all the right ingredients in place…we are extremely excited about bringing the Bowling World Cup to St Petersburg," said QubicaAMF President, John Walker during the Opening ceremony. He congratulated all participants who have journeyed to Russia to represent their nations, reminding the audience that they are all champions in their own countries.
"In this event, sportsmanship is just as important as victory," he said, noting that the staging of the Bowling World Cup in Russia coincided with the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Federation of Sports Bowling of Russia.
An intense schedule of competition follows today’s official practice, with 6-game squads scheduled from 8am each day until Thursday, when the top 24 qualifiers in both the men’s and women’s division will play an additional eight games for the cut to the top eight qualifiers. An innovation to the format this year will then see the top eight bowl a matchplay format, with bonus points, to determine the top three male and female qualifiers for the televised stepladder final.
#
Lynne Clay
