Minnesota Bridge

The Damiani Cup

These photos of Duluth's Ben Kristensen and his partner from Denver, Burke Snowden, were taken during the 2012 Summer NABC in Philadelphia.

Ben and Burke did not head back to their respective homes when the tournament ended, however, like the rest of us.  Instead, they and a number of other youngsters who qualified to compete in the 2012 World Junior Championships awakened in the wee hours to travel to Tai Cang City, China (near Shanghai).

Ben and Burke are on USA2 for the Damiani Cup, which is a team competition for the under 21 group.

Ben's dad and the team's coach, Curt Kristensen, reports that the boys' team is in 10th place after 3 matches.  Tonight at 9:30PM central, the boys will play USA1 on vugraph at Bridgebase.  Ben and Burke will face Adam Kaplan and Zach Brescoll, a strong pair - so it should be a very exciting match!  If you're able to watch these 16 boards, it should be well worth your time.

Currently, USA2 has 41 vp's; USA1 has 40.

Please join me in sending good wishes to Ben and Burke - along with the rest of the Americans at the tournament!  How thrilling for us to have another young bridge star on the other side of the world representing us in international competition!

Got Kids?

 
Then think about having them compete in the Youth NABC this summer in Toronto! 

Sharon Anderson, our District 14 Director, has all the details here!

Bridge Battle

We all love our game.  Yet, training the next generation to engage in our game as we have is critical.

I am happy to report that youth bridge is on its way in Minnesota!  Bill Phillips has kindly supplied me with both details and photographs of last Thursday's first intra-school bridge match in the Twin Cities.  St. Anthony faced Cretin-Derham Hall.

A team-of-four match (board-a-match) scoring was used in conjunction with the ACBL Spring School Tournament.  Six hands were played, with Cretin winning a close match:  3.5 to 2.5

Mary Vik coached the Cretin team:  Vince Vick, Gino Patera, Nick Gleason and Jack Simpson.  Bill Phillips and Jean Sanford were the St. Anthony coaches for:  Mike Jacobsen, Alaric Leger, Ryan Burr and Miles Crocker.

Needless to say, the coaches were delighted to see their students engaged in serious competition for the entire match.  Afterwards, everyone analyzed hands, received constructive advice and appreciated the collegial spirit of the event.  Future matches are anticipated anxiously!

Our thanks to Mary, Bill and Jean - and for these new players for their interest and intrigue in our great game!

Supporting Junior

Recently, I became aware of some youth players in Minnesota who wished to attend the second annual Youth National Bridge Competition in Washington D.C. this July.  Apparently they need assistance to participate, but nothing is in place to provide funds.

I decided that perhaps our MN Bridge Blog could be a forum for Minnesotans to contemplate and discuss ways in which we could offer more support for our fledgling young competitors.  Donations?  Scholarships?  Charity games with proceeds going toward our young players?

Don't forget - last year, our own Jake Olson of Blaine won the first ever Youth National event!  Let's do what we can to promote our future!

Please feel free to add your own thoughts in the comment section.