16th FIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SINGLES AND TEAMS
22.-26.8.18 ZURICH TOURNAMENT PROGRAM
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Kresten Hougaard FIR President
Welcome to the 2018 World Championships.
O
n behalf of the FIR I am happy to
to improve, but with the limited resources we
very excited about the new vision, that basically
welcome you to the 2018 World
have, it’s a very tough task. I would like to take
means taking a step back and focusing 100% on
Championships in one of the best
this opportunity to thank the voluntary men and
the growth of the sport. In this case I am sure
centers for racketlon that can be found
women of the council for their work and support
the step back will result in a big one forward.
anywhere. Vitis hosted the World Champion-
to me. A special thanks goes to Vice President
ships back in 2013 and what amemorable
Graham King, who has not only done his work
Finally we all owe our appreciation to the Swiss
event that was.
as Tournament Software Officer to perfection,
organizers and especially Esther Dübendorfer
but has taken on tasks everywhere he can, put-
as the main person behind this year’s event. I
Jesper Ratzer won his first World Championship
ting in more hours to the FIR than anyone. I am
know Esther as a perfectionist, so I know we are
ever after beating Calum Reid in a very tight
very grateful for your efforts, thank you!
all in safe hands and in for a great showcase of racketlon uring the last weekend of August.
semifinal and Kasper Jønsson in the final just before collapsing with cramps. The two finalists
I do not leave the governing of the FIR com-
from back then will aim for the title again, but
pletely as I will remain in the council to support
I hope everyone is as excited as I am to par-
have been drawn to play each other already in
the new President. I highly recommend Duncan
ticipate in the 2018 World Champinships. Let’s
the 1/4-final. Calum Reid also arrives in Zürich,
Stahl to take over the lead of the FIR and cannot
keep it friendly, but competitive. Let’s play some
but only to fight for the title in the team event
think of anyone I would rather see take over
balls!
with Great Britain.
from me. I have been fortunate to have Duncan as part of the council for the last year or so and
FIR President
As many of you know, my three years as Presi-
have been sharing lots of thoughts and ideas
Kresten Hougaard
dent of the FIR is coming to an end. It’s been
with him. With a new President and council
quite a journey with ups and downs. The gov-
comes naturally a new vision and strategy.
erning body of racketlon is constantly looking
Without going into details on that now, I am
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Esther Dübendorfer Tournament Director
Welcome to Zurich.
I
would like to give you a warm welcome
players from 29 nations and all 5 continents!
– and some quarterfinals to be broadcasted
to our 2nd World Championships in Zu-
Not only the number of participants, but also
live on TV TeleZ and on the internet. The live
rich Switzerland. I’m looking forward to
the level of the field is promising an interest-
games will be co-commented by Joscha Zeoli,
having great, successful and enjoyable five
ing world championships. The current world
a high profile Racketlon insider.
days with you all!
champion, the current European champion and the world ranked number one are fighting for
Now I wish all the players a healthy and suc-
Just in time, the floor of our tennis arena in the
the Men’s title, but the aspiring youngster Leon
cessful tournament and the spectators high
VITIS SportCenter has been renewed and so
Griffiths may also be involved in the thrilling
level and exciting matches throughout these
the venue is perfectly ready to host the 2018
contest as well. In the Women’s draw, current
5 days of our World Championships in Zurich.
Racketlon World Championships. On top of
world champion Chrisi Seehofer is the stand
this, we did our best to set up an environment
out favourite.
Have a safe trip and see you soon.
international tournament of this format.
Thanks to our sponsors and supporters, which
Tournament Director
We are very pleased to welcome over 450
have the allowed the finals – team and singles
Esther Dübendorfer
for the players and the spectators worth an
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General Information.
TOURNAMENT DESK
MEDICAL AID
COURTS
REGISTRATION and all payment no later than
First aid: Please contact the tournament desk
35 courts (8 tennis tables, 7 badminton, 11 squash
30 minutes before the first match.
Hospital: Spital Limmattal | Urdorferstrasse 100 |
and 9 tennis courts).
SCORE SHEET both players pick up score sheet
8952 Schlieren | Tel. +41 44 733 11 11|
and the winner brings it back to the tournament
Emergency number Tel. +41 144
desk.
OFFICIAL BALLS Table tennis: Joola*** Super P 40+ Cell-Free
RESTAURANT
Badminton: Yonex AS-40 feather shuttles
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 07:30 -
Squash: Head prime double yellow
Cash in Euro or Swiss Francs or by credit card in
24:00 | Sunday: 08:00 - 18:00
Tennis: Head ATP Swiss (pressurized)
Swiss Francs.
Buffet and hot meals: Wednesday to Saturday:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
11:00 - 22:00 | Sunday: 11:00 - 14:00
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
CATEGORIES
Grill outside the venue: Wednesday to Saturday:
27 different categories in Singles
Possible at tournament desk.
11:00 - 22:00 | Sunday: 11:00 - 16:00
10 different categories in Team.
WELCOME PACKAGE
MASSAGE
TROPHIES
Official 16th FIR Racketlon World Champ T-Shirt.
Cost CHF 10.– per 20 minutes, please subscribe at
Will be awarded to the top 3 players of each
Voucher for the players dinner (Pizza and Salad).
the tournament desk.
category.
STRINGING SERVICE
WIRELESS
Voucher for a free entry to the Players Party at Keufleuten Zurich.
During the tournament, the sports shop will
There is a free w-lan for players from abroad,
OFFICIAL SHUTTLE SERVICE
offer the participants a stringing service.
please ask at the tournament desk for the pass-
Free for all players staying in the official tourna-
- Stringing with own strings Fr. 25.–
word.
ment hotels Sommerau-Ticino and Conti to the
- Stringing with strings from the local shop,
venue. The shuttle runs continuously on Wednes-
25 % discount
OFFICIALS Tournament Director:
day from 08:00 to 11:30 and from Thursday to Sunday from 7:00 to 11:00. From 11:00 to 23:00
RENT A RACKET
Esther Dübendorfer | Tel. +41 76 507 96 06 |
you can book the shuttle at the tournament desk.
Rackets can be rented for CHF 5.– per racket per
esther.duebendorfer@racketlonswissopen.ch
day (ID card as a depot).
Co-Tournament Director:
TOURNAMENT HOTEL
Florian Dübendorfer | Tel. +41 79 642 60 10 |
Hotel Sommerau-Ticino | Zürcherstrasse 72 |
COURT INFOS
florian.duebendorfer@racketlonswissopen.ch
8953 Dietikon-Zürich | Tel +41 44 745 41 41
Table tennis: carpet
FIR Delegate:
Globales Conti Hotel | Heimstrasse 41 |
Badminton: parquet
Jack Bishop | Tel. +44 771 425 59 70
8953 Dietikon-Zürich | Tel. +41 44 745 86 86
Squash: parquet
Richard Middleton | Tel. +44 771 424 26 25
Hotel Tivoli | Zürcherstrasse 26 |
Tennis: carpet & granules, please bring clean and
Head Referee:
8952 Schlieren | Tel. +41 44 730 22 11
separate indoor tennis shoes with you
Johnny Bispham | Tel. +44 772 797 80 46
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Highlights and Side Events.
WEDNESDAY 22TH AUGUST
09:15 Start of Age World Champs (Juniors / Seniors)
CAPTAINS MEETING
18:15 Pre-Ceremony Girls u21 and Women +50
21:00 Hotel Sommerau-Ticino | Zürcherstrasse 72 |
19:00 Pre-Ceremony Women +55
8953 Dietikon-Zürich | Tel +41 44 745 41 41
19:45 Pre-Ceremony Girls u13
for the Captains of a National Team
20:45 Pre-Ceremony Women +45
THURSDAY 23TH AUGUST
08:30 Start first matches 10:15 Pre-Ceremony Women +40 10:15 Start of the Team World Champs 11:45 Pre-Ceremony Girls u16, Jun. u21, Sen. +60 12:45 Pre-Ceremony Seniors +65, Seniors +70 13:30 Pre-Ceremony Juniors u16
FRIDAY 24TH AUGUST
08:30 Start first matches
PLAYERS DINNER
12:20 Start of the Single World Champs
Pizza and Salad Dinner at Friday from 17:00 to
15:15 Pre-Ceremony Juniors u13
22:00 at the venue. If you need any extra Players
17:45 Pre-Ceremony Seniors +45, Seniors +50,
Dinner you can by them for 15.– Euros at the
Tournament Desk.
Seniors +55
18:00 Team Final Championship Division 22:00 Prize Ceremony Team and Age Classes
SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST
08:30 Start first matches
PLAYERS PARTY
20:00 Prize Ceremony First Timers
Saturday evening at 22:00 at the Kaufleuten in Zurich. Get your free entrance wristlet at the tournament desk on Saturday from 12:00. With the wristlet you get the free entry and a free drink between 22:00 and 23:00.
SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST
08:30 Start first matches 14:00 Final Women Elite 15:00 Final Men Elite 16:00 Prize Giving Ceremony Singles
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Seeded or Not, Reigning Champions Start as Heavy Favourites.
A
s we begin in Zurich, 1 year, 8
number 1. However, he has been defeated and
World Championships, 8 of the Men’s top 10
months and 29 days and a total
there-in lies his vulnerability.
will be in Zurich and they make up our 8 seeded players in the 32 player draw:
of 26 tournaments (4 Super, 17
International and 5 Challenger world tour
Young Brit, Leon Griffiths has claimed his scalp
1. Lukas Windischberger (Austria)
events) will have passed since Jesper Ratzer
on two occasions (English Open 2017, European
2. Morten Jaksland (Denmark)
and Christine Seehofer were crowned World
Championships 2017) while Calum Reid de-
3. Dan Busby (Great Britain)
Champions in Nurnberg in Germany. As we
feated Lukas at the 2017 North American Open.
4. Kresten Hougaard (Denmark)
approach the 2018 World Championships, it
In 2018 his only defeat was an injury retirement,
5. Beni Graenicher (Switzerland)
is the perfect time to look back at the last 21
but that too shows a potential weakness for his
6. Duncan Stahl (Great Britain)
months of Racketlon action and look ahead
opponents to exploit, although victory at the
7. Emmanuel Schopf (Austria)
to what this might mean for the Elite draws
recent German Open suggests he has recovered
8. Kasper Jonsson (Denmark)
in Zurich.
in time.
Seehofer Reigns Supreme
Away from Lukas, the men to beat (in terms
from some unseeded threats: Rav Rykowski
Reigning World Champion, undisputed world
of titles) are all currently in the top 4, world
(European champion), Leon Griffiths (runner
number 1 and crowned European Champion;
number 2 - Morten Jaksland (4 titles), world
up at the European Championships) and Jesper
since Christine Seehofer defeated Amke Fischer
number 3 - Dan Busby (2 titles) and world num-
Ratzer (no description necessary).
in Germany on the 27th November 2016 she
ber 4 - Kresten Hougaard (2 titles) have seen
has played 12 tournaments, winning 12 titles
the top 4 dominate the men’s game. Yet, these
As names were plucked from the pot by Alex
and has a perfect record of 32 wins from
three have not beaten Lukas in a completed
and Johnny, everyone was desperately hoping
32 matches. Her dominance is highlighted by
match. Meanwhile, the last major title, the 2017
to miss these three threats, but as we reached
the fact that even when you exclude Christine
European Championships, was won by Poland’s
the final pick in the top half of the draw, none
from the data, no lady can claim to be dominat-
Rav Rykowski, who dismissed Lukas’ conqueror,
of these players had yet arrived. Alas for Dan
ing their peers, the ladies game has seen players
Leon Griffiths in a pulsating final in Vienna.
Busby, he heard the name “Rav Rykowski”
However, our leading players face a lot of danger
followed by the words “will play Dan Busby”.
beating each other and the tournament titles shared around. Christine Seehofer is the excep-
Looking back over the past 26 tournaments, you
It is hardly much better for second seed Morten
tion to this rule, the order amongst the chaos.
feel that Christine Seehofer will not care much
Jaksland, should he overcome the challenge of
about her draw, but in the men’s game it looks
Luke Barnes in his opening match, he will face
Windischberger Would Be King, But…
like the draw will be crucial! Therefore all eyes
compatriot and Racketlon legend, Jesper Ratzer
In the semi-finals in Nurnberg, Lukas Windisch-
were turned to a flat in London, where Alex Du
(barring miracle by a Bishop).
berger was thoroughly crushed by Jesper Ratzer
Noyer and Johnny Bispham conducted the live
on the latter’s march to a dominant world title
draws.
Our fourth seed, Kresten Hougaard, is hardly having a better time, he has a likely second
victory. Since that crushing, Austrian Lukas has been the man handing out some beatings,
Top Seeds Face Early Tests
round match against Leon Griffiths should both
claiming 10 titles in that time, winning 47 out
As you would expect, the top players in the
get past wild cards in the shape of Nico Hobi
of 51 matches and rising to be the clear world
world are all entered and ready for the 2018
and Christian Wall respectively.
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Glancing over the draw, the potential for some
with the winner facing a quarter-final against the
Our final first round tie pits the youngest player
very tasty matches occurs as the rounds prog-
reigning champion, Christine Seehofer.
in the ladies A, Hannah Boden (Great Britain) against the experienced Silke Altman (Ger-
ress, especially in the bottom half of the draw. A potential quarter-final between eighth seed
Meanwhile impressive Danish wildcard, Stine
many). Silke and Hannah met in their opening
Kasper Jonsson and Jesper Ratzer would see a
Jacobson faces one of the leading French threats
match at the 2016 World Championships, with
re-run of the 2013, 2014 and 2016 World Cham-
at this tournament, Margaux Randjbar, the
the German victorious in a winner takes all ten-
pionship finals with the winner possibly facing
winner facing third seed Natalie Paul. Should
nis set that day. Whether Silke’s experience, 2
Leon Griffiths in the semi-finals (that’s if all goes
Natalie and Christine both come through their
years later, will get her over the line this time is
according to plan for the young Brit).
quarter final matches, then we will have a semi-
too close to call.
final repeat of the 2017 European ChampionPerhaps the very significant chance for three of
ships final. In such a fixture, Christine starts as
The winner of this tie will play second seed Bet-
the top four seeds to be eliminated by the Last
the overwhelming favourite, but as their recent
tina Bugl and you feel both Silke and Hannah
16 shows the danger of some lower ranked
Champion’s League encounter showed, Natalie
have the firepower to cause real problems for
players and makes this year’s men’s draw par-
has the ability to make this tie highly uncomfort-
the second seed.
ticularly enticing and difficult to predict.
able for Christine should the chance arise.
Can Seehofer Be Stopped?
In the bottom half of the draw, there is a real po-
draw to play in the final is very difficult to call,
12 ladies, including 7 of the world top 10, will
tential for some intriguing matches as the draw
but whoever does they then potentially have the
compete for the Ladies World Title, with our top
unfolds. Firstly, Kirstin Kaptein (Netherlands)
monumental task of dethroning the most domi-
4 seeds all receiving first round byes:
faces Astrid Riemer-Kern (Germany), with the
nant elite player in Racketlon at the moment.
Who comes through this bottom half of the
1. Christine Seehofer (Austria)
winner facing home favourite and fourth seed,
2. Bettina Bugl (Austria)
Nicole Eisler from Switzerland. Should Nicole
As everyone would hope for, there will be
3. Natalie Paul (Germany)
face Astrid, she will be playing one of her firm
some great Racketlon on display across both
4. Nicole Eisler (Switzerland)
friends on the world tour, but Nicole will have to
the Ladies and Men’s Elite draws at this World
put friendship to one side if she is to stop Astrid
Championships.
The opening rounds pitch Zuzana Severinova
reaching her 2nd successive world champion-
(Czech) against Anna-Klara Alhmer (Sweden)
ship semi-final.
James Pope
Supporters • Jürg Bettoni
• Markus Furter
• Jürg Huwiler
• Partick Bürgi
• Jürg Herren
• Marc-André Rauber
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Great Britain Dreams of Joining Elite List, Austria Aims to Stop Them.
B
oth the recent World and European
pionships in 2017, with additional semi-final
a number of crucial players due to unavailability
Team titles have been won by the
defeats in 2002, 2003 and 2015.
or injury, leaving world number 2 and captain Morten Jaksland with a paucity of options this
host nation after Denmark claimed
World Team glory in 2016 in Copenhagen
However, they head to Zurich in probably their
year. Sweden boast an excellent pedigree in this
and Austria claimed the European title last
best ever shape, their squad containing world
event in the past 4 years, having claimed the
year in Vienna. As we arrive in Zurich, the
number 3 Dan Busby and world no.7 Duncan
World Title in 2014, before bronze medals at the
Swiss team will be hoping to continue this
Stahl, not to mention Luke Barnes and Ray Jor-
2015 European Championships and 2016 World
pattern, but the odds are stacked against
dan who are both ranked inside the world’s top
Championships. Their team is led by Christian
them as it is hard not to look beyond the top
20 and 4 times British Champion Hannah Boden
Wall who was a member of the World Title
two seeds of Great Britain and Austria.
as their lady.
winning team in 2014. Joining the Scandinavians in this chasing pack are France, Germany,
The division structure that debuted in 2017
Their trump cards however come in the form
and hosts Switzerland. France are led by tour
returns for the World Championships, so our
of Leon Griffiths and Calum Reid. Calum has
stalwart, Cedric Junilion, and while they are a
eight elite entries have been separated into two
won nearly everything on offer in Racketlon
compact unit with a good standard across the
pools of four, headed by each of our two seeded
including the world singles title in 2011 – but
whole squad, they are perhaps lacking that X-
nations. The top two from each pool will play in
he is yet to win the team title. At the other end
factor player to ignite their challenge. Germany
the semi-finals, with the winner from Group A
of the scale, Leon Griffiths is a rising star of the
struggled in 2017, having to come through the
playing second in Group B and vice versa. The
game, and runner-up in last season’s European
relegation play-off system to remain in the elite
bottom two teams in each group will play off to
Championships. It’s an impressive squad.
Championship group, a poor draw pitting them against both eventual finalists, Denmark and
avoid relegation to Division 1, a fate that befell Finland in 2017. The draws for the Elite Groups
However, their main rivals, second seeds Austria,
Austria. In 2018, they come to Zurich boast-
will take place on the evening of Wednesday
have players who require no introduction. Un-
ing a squad that contains some exciting names
23rd August, with competition beginning on
like no nation before, the Austrians once again
including former world champion Natalie Vogel,
Thursday 24th August and can be viewed here
bring the male and female world number 1s into
while Thorsten Lentfer and Christian Wiessner
once they are completed.
their squad, Lukas Windischberger and Christine
recently showed their team prowess in the
Seehofer. For good measure, the Austrians have
Champions League, so on their day they will be
A Tussle Between the Top Two?
named the world number 2 lady, Bettina Bugl,
a genuine threat!
Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland
mainly because they just can! This makes them
and Sweden – it is an elite club of nations to
impressively strong up top, particularly in the
For hosts Switzerland, they can bet on a pair of
have won the World Team Racketlon title, and
ladies’ string, and are well backed up by George
(world number) 6’s, with Benny Granicher and
in 2018, Great Britain will be aiming to join the
Stoisser as well as experienced campaigners
Nicole Eisler in their side, but they will need
membership list. Since the inauguration of a
Marcel Weigl and Thomas Wagner.
their star players to perform for them to have any chance of getting to the business end of
World Team Championships in 2002, Great Britain (or England as they were known) have
Rest of the Challengers Are Evenly Matched
the event. Finally, the Czech Republic survived
only mustered a brace of Bronze medals, at the
Reigning World Champions, Denmark lead the
their nervy relegation play off with Finland in
World Teams in 2004 and the European Cham-
rest of the chasing pack, however they have lost
Vienna last year but this year they arrive with
BOOKLET | R ACKETLONWORLDCHAMPIONSHIPS.CH
some lesser known but hugely talented players. Joining tour stalwarts Zuzana Severinova and Michael Horacek are the very dangerous Petr Vesely and Martin Sopko who will both cause
Live on TV
one or two shocks to those who don’t do their research!
Thanks to our partnership with TeleZ, the following games are broadcast live on TV and streamed internationally. Co-Moderater is Joshua Zeoli
All that is left now is for the draw. Our top seeds look dominant, and the draw looks crucial
Friday 24th August 2018 6:00 pm
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 2:00 pm
for sides who have aspirations of making the
Team Final Championship Division
Ladies Elite Final
purest form of our sport, four head to head
Saturday 25th August 2018 5:20 pm
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 3:00 pm
strings with the combined points across them
Men’s Elite Quarterfinals (Game 1)
Men’s Elite Final
semi-finals, however team Racketlon is the
all, determining which nation wins, the most extreme definition of every point counts. As
Saturday 25th August 2018 6:20 pm
such, anything can happen!
Men’s Elite Quarterfinals (Game 2)
James Pope
Withdraws / Walkover For clarification, any player withdrawing from
event that day – singles or teams. They can
and Draws Regulations. This and other key
a singles event, either before or during a
continue in other events the following day
rulings will be made clear in the Captain’s
match, will not be able to play in any other
in accordance with rule 3.4 of the Players
meeting.
11
16th FIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 22.-26.08.2018 ZURICH - SWITZERLAND
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