Balk-Line 47/2
ANDERNOS - The French player Willy Gérimont has brilliantly won the first edition of the Classic Race Challenge, organized in Andernos by the CEB and Kozoom. The first outcome was an all-French final, Willy Gérimont defeating his opponent Johann Petit 277 to 236. Eight players were selected for the test match. The Chartres player finished unbeaten with 4 victories out of 4 games. Gérimont defeated consecutively Louis Edelin, Johann Petit, Patrick Niessen in the semi-final and again Johann Petit in the final. He was the most complete and solid player, was crowned the first, proud winner of the Classic Race Challenge, and received 1500 euro prize money.
The new format was unanimously supported by the players. The live recordings, the images, the ambiance, the live commentary and the interviews were all elements that were brought together to offer a high quality show. The game format revealed unsuspected positive aspects and also areas for improvement.
The matches are more spectacular than watching one player chasing points during high runs without the other player being able to react: two players at the same time at two tables seems much better than one player at one table and the other on his chair.
The highlights of the weekend?
The match between Braham Djoubri and Marek Faus on Friday (322-318), the match between Magali Declunder and Faus on Saturday (averages 53,00 and 157,00 for the Czech), between Djoubri and Niessen on Saturday (232-228) and of course the 4 victories in a row by winner Willy Gérimont.
At the end of the competition, compliments were paid to the technical team (Lorenzo, Morgan and the two Xaviers) for their excellent work, to the four referees Patrick Latapie, Hervé Lacombe, Guillaume Clusel and Eric Camilleri and to the volunteers in the organization, especially Patrick Girard, Eric Dorizon, Bernard Baudoin and Delphine Roumagère!
The 330 points mark was not reached this time, but will undoubtedly be reached soon if this event will be continued. Thanks to the CEB for this new project, thanks to Kozoom for making it happen.
The final ranking:
1 Willy Gérimont, 4 wins, 1129 points, average 47,04, highest run 191, best game 329.
2 Johann Petit 2-1222-20,71-178-274
3 Brahim Djoubri 2-766-23,93-234-322
3 Patrick Niessen 2-980-23,90-142-265
5 Marek Faus 2-803-42,26-165-318
5 Pascal Dessaint 1-560-13,02-102-228
7 Magali Declunder 0-342-19,00-132- 212
7 Louis Edelin 0-347-16,52-85-194.
The two players for the final match: Willy Gérimont (r) and Johann Petit