3-Cushion
SAINT QUENTIN - The young French talent Maxime Panaia has made a double in Saint Quentin. The 17-year-old Colmar player won both the championship in the game type three-cushion and in free game for youth under 19. Panaia recently also took the French championship three-cushion for juniors.
In the three cushion final, Panaia played his best game against the local favourite Nathan Duriez: 25-9 in 18 innings, making 1.388 of average. With the title, Panaia took revenge for last year in Toulouse, when Duriez won 25-20 in 23.
In the semi-finals Panaia was the best against Jjason Ponthieu 25-20 in 24 with a run of 8 for the winner. Nathan Duriez defeated young Tom Gorazda (Soissons) 25-12 in 19.
Also in the free game, which was played in the same weekend, Maxime Panaia conquered the title. In the final he defeated Nathan Legendre 150-56 in 11 innings. In the qualifying with groups of five players, Panaia suffered his only loss. He was surprisingly defeated by his girl friend Lucie Petit 89-81 in 20 innings. Lucie commented: ,,It is always difficult for Maxime to play against me.'' Petit did not manage to qualify for the final round despite 4.45 in her best match.
In his other three games, Panaia finished in 12, 14 and 17 innings against Gauthier Miasik (Pont a Mousson), Nathan Legendre (Rouen) and Mallory Touzain (Courtenay). In the semi-finals Panaia was too strong for Djason Ponthieu with a score 150-58 in 17.
Maxime Panaia with his coach Louis Edelin and girl friend Lucie Petit