TOURNAMENT PROGRAMM 16TH FIR RACKETLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

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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.

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16th FIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 22.-26.08.2018 ZURICH - SWITZERLAND

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