Team USA off to solid start at World Cup
October 18, 2010
TOULON, France - Team USA's John Szczerbinski and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard spent the opening round of the 2010 QubicaAMF World Cup on Monday gathering information they hope will help them moving forward in the event.Szczerbinski put together an opening five-game block of 1,101, an average of 220.2, and sits in seventh place, while Dorin-Ballard shot 1,026, an average of 205.2, and is in 10th place.
Biboy Rivera of the Philippines leads the men with 1,181, a 236.2 average, while Wendy Chai of Malaysia is tops among the women with 1,126, a 225.2 average, at Bowling de Provence.
Szczerbinski got off to a slow start in his opening round with games of 205 and 196 but closed strong with 255, 211 and 234.
"I bowled well even though I didn't really know what to expect coming into this tournament," Szczerbinski said. "I had it a little rough the first two games but once I got relaxed, I finished strong the last three games. I was a little anxious at the start and wanted to perform well, and I think that set me back."
Dorin-Ballard struggled with her carry but still managed to put together five consistent games. She opened with 218, 198 and 213 before closing the block with 199 and 198.
"Physically I thought I bowled really well, I just didn't have the right angle to get all 10 pins down today," Dorin-Ballard said. "I definitely learned more about reading the lanes end to end and what the lanes are doing. It was an information day and now I have to make the right choices heading into tomorrow."
Competition continues Tuesday with the second of four five-game qualifying blocks. The top 24 men and top 24 women will advance to eight additional qualifying games on Thursday. The top eight men and top eight women will then advance to round robin match play Thursday evening when the field will be paired down to the top three men and top three women for the semifinals and finals. All rounds are being broadcast live on BOWL.com.
The World Cup is the largest international bowling tournament in the world in terms of the number of countries competing. This year 93 countries are competing with 92 men in the field and 77 women.