When we saw Peder Grimsen at the top of the squad standings the name seemed to ring a bell. Had he won a Super Sixxx event
back in his native Sweden? Maybe a medal in a European or World Championship? It called for a question to be popped.
"No," he laughed, "you know me from competing in the Barcelona tournaments.
After the obligatory introductory questions we got on to home town - just south of Gothenberg, age - 44, and occupation - bowling center proprietor, a 16-lane house.
Grimsen ended his sixth game on lane 24 so commenced the squad on lanes 3-4. How was the transition? "OK until the power outage," was the prompt reply. After that it became something of a struggle but he was lucky to have had fellow Swede John Mattson as a partner through the squadwho finished just 33 pins behid Grimsen's 1356 total.
"I did have to keep changing bowling balls to keep up with the lane changes, so was relieved to be the squad champion."
With one qualifying squad left the cut is 1319 so Grimsen and Mattson should make it through to the opening squad on Sunday morning.
There were 33 names on the waiting list for the final squad and with room for just 48 many wend their way home, tails between their legs and hope for better things next year.
Full tournament details on www.brunswickitaliachallenge.com
Top 10 standings:
POS | NAME | NAT | GEN | BEST PINS |
LAST GAME |
SQUAD # | SQUAD COUNT |
HAND | |
1 | Williams, Stuart | ENG | M | 1492 | 198 | 19 | 2 | R | |
2 | Ciminelli, Ryan | USA | M | 1483 | 276 | 13 | 3 | L | |
3 | Andersson, Kim | SWE | M | 1453 | 226 | 13 | 1 | R | |
4 | Barrett, Dominic | ENG | M | 1448 | 279 | 23 | 4 | R | |
5 | Rash, Sean | USA | M | 1442 | 206 | 11 | 2 | R | |
6 | Larsen, Martin | SWE | M | 1427 | 233 | 19 | 2 | R | |
7 | Valenta, Brian | USA | M | 1423 | 258 | 19 | 3 | R | |
8 | Vezis, Daniel | ENG | M | 1390 | 211 | 23 | 4 | L | |
9 | Pirozzi, Massimo | ITA | M | 1388 | 268 | 08 | 2 | R | |
10 | D'Achille, Nico | ITA | M | 1375 | 228 | 19 | 4 | R |