AROUND THE WORLD
These Team North
America players were
all smiles after their
Bainbridge Cup victory.
A Roman Holiday
Team North America
Wins Second Bainbridge
Cup in Italy
A
BY RUTH ROSENQUIST
ll roads lead to Rome. I never dreamed that
ancient adage would apply to me, until I registered
to play for Team North America in the Bainbridge
Cup in Italy this summer.
Pickleball has always been my happy place. Add two
intercontinental tournaments, and I was instantly upgraded
to a cultural, culinary and competitive experience with like-
minded souls from across the globe.
The Bainbridge Cup was established by the International
Federation of Pickleball (IFP), to create a world stage for
pickleball that would help drive global expansion among
countries, encourage friendships, international spirit and
healthy competition.
Minerva, Roman
Goddess of Wisdom,
imparts advice for the
competition ahead.
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My journey began with a flight to Rome. I put my fate in
the hands of travel/pickleball gurus Jon and Scott Moore
of Pickleball Trips, who took care of the heavy lifting.
Our itinerary kicked off with The Vatican, Pantheon and
Colosseum, exploring ancient Roman art, history and local
cuisine over two days and three nights. We even visited
Minerva, the Roman Goddess of Wisdom, to glean any last-
minute advice. She subtly reminded us it was time to set
our sights on the competition ahead.
During opening ceremonies, 16 countries, including
the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic,
Sweden, Finland, Germany, Belgium, France, The
Netherlands, England, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand,
proudly displayed country flags.
The next morning, Team Europe’s 103 players squared
off with 52 players from Team North America for the
Bainbridge Cup. From beginner to pro play, each match
was equivalent to one point, allowing competitors of all
skill levels an equal chance to contribute to their team
score. Europe came ready to rumble. By the end of the
morning, North America was ahead by just a few points.
But by late afternoon, mixed doubles widened the lead, with
North America ultimately clinching its second Bainbridge
Cup victory, 106-82 over Europe.
Over the days that followed, the inaugural Italian Open
Pickleball Championships gave everyone the rare and
joyful opportunity to partner with players from different
parts of the globe. I accepted an invitation from a Marine
from France, who lamented that his English was not more
“perfectible” so we could communicate more on the court.
Yet the magic elixir was the chance to face off with some
of the world’s most elite and recognized players such as
Scott Moore, Irina Tereschenko and Ernesto Cardenas.
Team North America’s three co-captains and many
North American teammates emerged with gold medals,
demonstrating expert skill and sportsmanship.
Team Captain Scott Moore summed it up best. “This
was the pickleball experience of a lifetime. We were all
in it together, cheering each other on, as our matches
contributed equally,” he said. “But Team Europe is young
and hungry. We need to ramp up our recruiting efforts for
the 2019 Bainbridge Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany, next
summer.”
Friends, take note. Another chance for “la dolce vita”
awaits.