LADIES' FIRST OF THREE 8-GAME BLOCKS:

Laura Rhoney of Scotland (pictured) shaped the way of good things to come by bowling the first perfect game of the 2006 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in her third game of this morning's eight-game block.

The 27-year-old sales manager hit three perfect strikes in her tenth frame to the delight of all competitors and spectators.

After three games, Laura is is in ninth place with a series of 680. The field is being led by Rebecca Simpson of Australia with 796.

"This was my second career perfect game," said Laura, after the squad. "The first one was way back in 1997. I must admit that I did have two lucky strikes during the game, when I pulled a couple of shots. I switched balls after a low 174 and that certainly did the trick."

Current standings: http://www.qubicaamf.com/NewsEvents/Bowling%20World%20Cup/bwc.aspx?t=w&g=1

It's the Danish flag flying at the top of the World Cup mast after the ladies' first eight of the 24 qualifying games Monday morning at the Mampote bowling center. Mai Ginge Jensen, 21, (pictured) from a small town close to Aalborg in the north of Denmark, tops the field by just four pins over England's Lisa John.

Luckily, Mai's missing bowling balls turned up from the airport last night, so she was able to use the right equipment for the eight-game session this morning. "Their was plenty of pressure today, knowing that I had the whole of my country behind me," she commented.

Mai, a part-time bowling center employee, also reckons that she is lucky to be here. If sister Anje had struck in the tenth frame of the qualifying final in Denmark, she would have been here in Venezuela instead.

FIRST 8 OF 24 QUALIFYING GAMES: