MNBridge often highlights the triumphs and successes of our super stars. As it should be; they have worked hard over the years to study, improve and attain their strong abilities.
Yet, we also herald those who are first learning our game - particularly when they are not young kids. Fascinating and fun as bridge is, it is also very complex, challenging, and not at all easy to master in one fell swoop. So as we applaud our stars, we also are very proud of those beginners who rise to the occasion to dip their toes into the mystery and majesty of our game.
Connie Nelson, along with District 14 Flight C teammates Sue Knauss, Roger Knauss and Jim Schnepf took on the challenge - and ended up representing our District 14 in Las Vegas this July. Connie saw my request for any interesting stories from those who attended the Summer NABC. And she then wrote this marvelous story of her team's adventures there.
Thank you so much, Connie, for sharing your team's story. Congratulations on your win in District 14 to be our representatives!
A big thank you, too, for all our newer players, be they teenagers, retirees or somewhere in between, for dipping your toes into the world's greatest mind game!
“On July 16th, the District 14 Flight C Grand National Team of Sue Knauss, Roger Knauss, Jim Schnepf and Connie Nelson flew to Las Vegas to attend the national tournament. All four of us are members of the St. Cloud Bridge Club, and had won the qualifying event held down in Urbandale, Iowa earlier in the year.
At the national event, twenty-six teams were playing in Flight C, representing all of North America (i.e. the US, Canada and Mexico). Our team definitely hoped – and expected – to make it into the sixteen teams that went on to play the second day. But, the last day our team competed was the first day!
When we sat down to play our very first game, Jim and my opponents were a seasoned 11-year-old Brandon Ge and a 14-year-old Jonathan Yue, representing the San Francisco Bay area. They absolutely creamed us! Out of a possible 20 victory points, we received 2 and they 18! (To assuage our egos a tiny bit, this young Bay Area team went on to take 2nd overall in Flight C.)
From that first game on, we were playing “catch-up.” While we gained some ground, it didn’t prove to be enough to advance. As humbling as that was, it was still a GREAT experience playing at the Nationals! You encounter players from around the world. We played against pairs from England, Trinidad, China, Poland, Canada and India. Sue and Roger Knauss even received an invitation to go and visit someone they met from Paris.
And the conventions Jim and I encountered! Some had names that even sound exotic: Mexican 2 Diamonds, Polish 1 Club, Snapdragon, Extended Walsh, and Leaping Michaels are just a few. People were very friendly and clearly explained any unusual conventions.
In sum, I would highly encourage more Flight C people to enter the National Pair qualifier event coming up October 5th and 6th in Urbandale, and also the National Teams when that once again comes around.
See you at the bridge table!”
Sincerely,
Connie Nelson