Bowling has long longed for Olympic status, but protracted and difficult competitions have been seen as an obstacle. Another attempt is now being made to appease the International Olympic Committee. During the World Cup in Dubai from 6 to 14 November, all team distances will be decided in the game format Baker. It means that each player strikes his box to the team’s series instead of, as before, playing an entire series where the team’s total results are added together.
The format also includes group games with subsequent play-offs and is reminiscent of a World Cup play-off in football – all to make the sport easier to understand for more people.
The ladies’ national team captain Robert Andersson thinks that the new form of play may be well worth trying.
– Last World Cup we had a competition session that lasted 13 hours. You have to be quite interested in bowling to be able to watch it, says Andersson.
Bowling is trying like many other sports to become more TV-adapted to reach a larger audience and more sponsors. Andersson believes that Baker will in any case not impair opportunities to achieve Olympic status.
The form of the game also means that he and the men’s national team captain, Patrick Backe, get to think about the matching of the teams.
– Some players will hit more strokes in the joint series and become a bit of an anchor. It is important to figure out who has the best position. You have, for example, three strokes in the last box, says Andersson.
The distance mixed is also new on the WC program and that ladies and gentlemen compete in the same WC will give the team management some major trouble. The oil on a bowling alley wears differently depending on who is playing on it. Men hit harder and screw more than ladies and this means that the players in Dubai will have to adapt their game.
– Before the WC 2019, we played almost exclusively on “women’s courts” because it was only women at that championship. Now we have to think differently, says Andersson.
– Jenny Wegner has been selected for the WC. Stock Photography.
Photo: Emil Langvad / Bildbyrån
In Las Vegas two years ago made the Swedish ladies their best WC since the 80s with four medals. Andersson has only selected four players for this championship compared to six in 2019. Josefine Hermansson, who together with Jenny Wegner took gold and was among the nominees at the Sports Gala, is not with this time.
Andersson explains that, unlike 2019, only four players are allowed to participate in each distance, even if they are allowed to have two reserves.
– All players will play all the distances. I hope it gives them peace of mind to make the crucial decisions. These are also the players I think have been the best during the pandemic, says Andersson.
Patrick Backe has chosen a different tactic and selected six players. Alongside the superstar Jesper Svensson from Team Pergamon, the 42-year-old club mate Martin Larsen is noticeable. An interesting start is also made by 20-year-old William Svensson from BK Kaskad in Norrköping, who became European Champion in 2019.