THE BAINBRIDGE CUP AN EVENT LIKE NO OTHER
Two continents, one cup, two teams, one victor … The Bainbridge Cup. History will be made on September 15, 2017, when the world’ s first Intercontinental Pickleball Team Competition takes place in Madrid, Spain. The Bainbridge Cup, named after Bainbridge Island to honor the birthplace and founders of pickleball, is the inaugural event of the International Federation of Pickleball( IFP), the sport’ s worldwide governing body.
Team Europe and Team North America will face off for the first time ever in this historic event, which will feature players from more than 15 countries, from elite to amateur level. The event provides a global stage for pickleball in a new international format.“ One of our main objectives at the IFP is to organize world-class events to showcase the sport,” says Mike Hess, President of the IFP.“ We’ re very excited about the response we’ ve had to participate in the Cup. There are already over 100 players signed up on each team and the numbers are expected to climb as the goodnatured rivalry continues to build. There’ s a lot of pride at stake in this event.”
Alice Tym, a former professional tennis player who once represented the U. S. in team competition, adds,“ There is nothing like being on a national or continental team! It is just the beginning of a wonderful rivalry, which will promote the sport of pickleball.” She will serve as one of three team captains for Team North America.“ The camaraderie and sportsmanship bring out the very best in a sport and its participants.”
A Team Event Open to All The players shown in the team photos represent just a few of the hundreds of players already signed up for the
Bainbridge Cup event.“ Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the competition,” notes Ian Medhurst, one of three team captains for Team Europe.“ It’ s a unique opportunity to play on the same team with some of the best players in the world.”
The Bainbridge Cup Format Every match is worth one point, so a win at the 3.0 level is worth the same as a win at the 5.0 level. The team accumulating the most points by the end of the day wins the Cup.“ The format is consistent with the philosophy of pickleball, to include all levels of play,” explains Leonardo González, another one of Team Europe’ s captains.“ Matches will include men’ s, women’ s and mixed doubles, with each player guaranteed a minimum of four matches in pools of similar aged and skilled players.” Competition will follow Official IFP Rules.
Three Full Days of Competition
Following the Bainbridge Cup will be the Spanish Open Pickleball Championships, to be held September 16 and 17 at the same world-class outdoor venue. The Spanish Open will be hosted by the Spanish Pickleball Association in collaboration with the IFP, allowing players the opportunity to participate in three consecutive days of competition. In addition, pickleball clinics will be held on Sept. 13 and 14 by a number of pickleball pros.
Registration for the Bainbridge Cup and Spanish Open is open at PickleballTournaments. com. For more information visit the IFP at ifpickleball. org or the Spanish Pickleball Association at pickleballspain. org. • Photos by Keith and Sharon Bing
JULY / AUGUST 2017 | MAGAZINE 63