Nearly two years ago, our leading players competed during the selection trials for the right to represent Australia at the 45th World Bridge Team Championships which were scheduled to be held in Salsomaggiore Terme, Italy in mid-2020.

Sadly, the pandemic caused the postponement of both the original event and the rescheduled event in 2021 together with all other planned 2021 world bridge events. For our leading players who look forward to the opportunity to compete against the best at these tournaments, the news was quite devastating. While many have taken the opportunity to contest several online international events, there is no substitute for the excitement of a live international event.

It is therefore terrific news that the twice rescheduled event is now set to go ahead on 27th March to 9th April. Two years in bridge is a long time and consequently, some changes to the original team line-ups have been ratified by the Board on the recommendation of the Tournament Committee.

The ABF Board congratulate the following teams on their selection and wish them every success in the event:

Open

Sartaj Hans – Peter Gill
Nabil Edgtton – Andy Hung
Liam Milne – James Coutts

David Wiltshire (NPC)

Women

Giselle Mundell – Rena Kaplan
Liz Havas – Diana Smart
Jessica Brake – Susan Humphries

Dee Harley (NPC)

Seniors

Robert Krochmalik – Paul Lavings
Stephen Burgess – Gabi Lorentz
George Kozakos – George Smolanko

Peter Buchen (NPC)

Mixed

Trevor Fuller – Leone Fuller
Stephen Fischer – Pele Rankin
Hugh Grosvenor – Tania Lloyd

Julian Foster (NPC)