USA I wins women's Venice Cup
By Djanwar Madjolelo
JAKARTA (JP): The Venice Cup final was a repeat of last year's Olympiad final but with new members in the USA I team, playing against China.
The American players in this women's competition were Tobi Sokolov-Milbreed, Jill Meyer-Randi Montin, Marinesa Letizia, Lisa Berkowitz and nonplaying captain (NPC) Sue Picus.
The Chinese team was Gu ling-Zhang Ya lan, Sun Ming-Lu Yan, Wang Wen Fei-Zhang Yu and NPC Zhang Wei Li.
China has looked stronger each year, and their time must surely come one year.
The surprise in the round-robin stage was the failure of the holder, Germany to make the cut. In the semifinals a photo finish between the two American teams went against USA II; USA I won 173-168.
In USA II Lynn Deas earned great respect for her courage in playing well after spending the first few days in hospital.
In the playoff for third place USA II beat France 114-66 over 48 boards.
Round-robin final rankings (20 boards and 17 matches): 1. France 298 2. USA I 291.5 3. USA II 289 4. China 288 5. Great Britain 287 6. Canada 283 7. Netherlands 272 8. Italy 259 9. Germany 257 10. India 254 11. Australia 254 12. New Zealand 254 13. Argentina 238 14. South Africa 224 15. Chinese Taipei 217 16. Colombia 206 17. Brazil 205 18. Tunisia 169
Quarterfinals (the best 8 teams, 96 boards): 1. France-Netherlands 253-133 2. USA I-Italy 214-190 3. USA II-Canada 164-162 4. China-Great Britain 231-157
Semifinals (96 boards): 1. China-France 241-220 2. USA I-USA II 173-168
Final round (160 boards):
Total IMP 1. USA I: 36 4 21 35 44 40 12 57 249 2. China: 5 27 41 14 15 30 29 23 184
Board: 30
Vulnerable: Neither
Dealer: East
NORTH
(S) 7 5 3 2
(H) 7 6 3 2
(D) 8 5 2
(C) 4 3
WEST EAST
(S) K 9 (S) 10
(H) Q 10 5 4 (H) K J
(D) A K Q J 6 (D) 10 9 7 3
(C) Q 5 (C) J 10 9 8 6 2
SOUTH
(S) A Q 8 6 4
(H) A 9 8
(D) 4
(C) A K 7
Closed room:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin
- - Pass 1S
Double Pass 2C 2S
Double Pass 3D Pass
3NT Pass Pass Double
4D Pass Pass 4S
All pass
West cashed a Diamond and switched to a Heart. The Contract failed by one trick but we cannot tell you why as there is no play record!
Open room:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Lisa Zhang Letizia Gu
- - Pass 1C
Pass 1D Pass 1S
2D 2S 4D 4S
All pass
West came in on the second round after passing the precision Club opening. She led the Diamond Ace and East played the ten. If that was meant to direct West to Hearts it went unnoticed and a second Diamond was led.
Declarer ruffed and cashed her top Club. She then took the Spade Ace and led a Club. West exited with a Heart to the king and Ace.
South played the eight of Hearts -- the nine is more subtle- and after long thought West rose to the occasion in every sense of the word by going up with the Queen.
A crocodile coup on Vugraph got deserved applause.