World Bridge Event Comes to Bali

(8/6/2001)

The Bermuda Bowl is to serious Bridge enthusiasts what the World Cup is to Soccer aficionados. The 2001 Bermuda Bowl will be held on the island of Bali at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) from October 20 until November 2, 2001.

Originating in Bermuda in 1950 as the first-ever International Bridge Team Championship, the event is now the oldest and more respected World Bridge Federation event attracting upwards of 20 national teams.

One of the highlights of this year's tournament in Bali will be the expected appearance of a team from Argentina comprised of 25 year-old Pablo Ravenna and his 14 year old playing partner Agustin Madala. Agustin, ranked as the youngest Zonal champion in the history of the game, played as a member of the national Argentine team that recently won the South American championship held in Bolivia.

When not playing cards, Agustin is a high school student who likes soccer and excels as a straight-"A" student in math and the sciences.An active participant in international bridge tournaments since the age of 12, the young South American is a "prodigy" in a game where many players often do not hit their pace until age 30 or more.

A case in point, the 14 year old "wunderkind" was recently partners with Argentinean champion Carlos Cabanne, aged 82.

In a game in which players grow in stature and experience over time, it will be interesting to watch young Agustin's development following his appearance with the world's best in Bridge this October in Bali.