10. August 2018

According to a well-known English polar climate scientist attending the Nussloch Racketlon tournament, climate change could cause warmer and wet weather in central Europe. All 13 Swiss players certainly can confirm the warm part of that statement after the weekend. Upon arrival they were told that the organizers decided not to put up a pool unlike the last few years. After the spontaneous protests almost morphed into riots, the demand for a pool was met and the games could begin.

It was the second tournament in Nussloch this year after the double world champs in spring. On Friday champions league and doubles were due. The Swiss Army Knives 1 with captain Benjamin Gränicher could almost defend their third place from the first leg, coming in fourth at the end. Not bad for being seen as the weakest team by the expert panel. Swiss Army Knives 2 with Dara Ladner as captain and Graham King as player were able to win at least their last match to end it with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Despite differences on who is supposed to play on which side on the tennis court, Esther Dübendorfer and Michael Strässle secured a silver medal.

In the singles category Benjamin Gränicher in the elite class secured another podium, beating his opponent 21-0 in squash for third place. Oli Bühler managed a notable first round win also in the elite class. Esther Dübendorfer dominated the women’s B and Tanja Omlin came in at fourth place. Graham King, as always and despite eye problems, marched throught the field into the final in men’s +50 for a silver medal. Also attending (some more than others) were Simon Engler, Arno Graf, Leonard Ladner, Beat Ladner, Christian Schäfer, Lukas Spring. For the very attentive reader one name might be missing, but it is he, who must not be named (on his wish).

Benjamin Gränicher

24. Juli 2018

A couple of brave Swiss souls have been to the third Latvian Open in Riga. Medals for Swiss? Not really. But with half of the games won, that was already a success for the seniors Marc-André Rauber and the non wastable Graham King. And as the Latvians had no cooling system, squash was quite hotly to play! But the playing conditions were excellent nevertheless and the tournament was well organised; Zigmars took care of everything (even of a win for Marc after a 21-3 handicap after table tennis in the +50 category). Manfred Grab, who joind the small Swiss delegation from Kloten on Thursday, unfortunately had to quit playing after the matches on Friday due to a foot injury (so no more doubles with Graham on Saturday). Graham and Marc stayed at a hotel just 200 meters away from the sports venue, that was perfect.

Graham and Marc had registered for 3 categories each, Graham had to play 9 games (1 not played because of Manfred's injury, 1 forfeited as Graham was already at the airport at the time, and 1 ended during the badminton warm-up after his opponent Kimmo Pentanen from Finland retired with injury as well - just demonstrating once again how dangerous Graham can be on court! - 3  other games won and lost respectively), Marc played 9 games this weekend (winning 4 of them).

The Latvian Open will be back next July. Put it on your calendar as highly recommended!

Marc-André Rauber