European Bowling Tour 2009

Changed EBT Masters format
After having studied the 1st EBT Masters on stage, after having discussed the format with some of the involved parties and after having evaluated the situation, the ETBF Presidium have decided to change the format of the Masters, already with effect for the EBT Masters 2009.

The format of the 1st EBT Masters 2009 was 3 X 8 games qualification on short oil, long oil and a combined dressing followed by the top 8 elimination in 3 rounds of best of 3 games matches. The duration of the 1st EBT Masters was 3 days. The format of the 2nd EBT Masters 2009 will be 3 X 6 games qualification on short oil, long oil and a combined dressing followed by an 8 players Round Robin, including 7 one game matches (20 points for a win, 10 points for a tie) and a one game position round without bonus. There might be a short 3 players stepladder final added to the Round Robin in some future masters, but from a starting point of view it is not expected to happen at the EBT Masters 2009.

By introducing the new EBT Masters format, it is possible to reduce the duration of the tournament to 2 days and furthermore it will end late afternoon of the 2nd day, so at least some of the participants will be able to leave already in the evening of day 2 of the tournament. Because of a recently reduced number of stops in the European Bowling Tour, it has been necessary slightly to reduce the total prize fund for each gender at the coming two EBT Masters from 20.000 € to 18.000 €. The reduction is 125 € per participant, which basically is compensated by the fact that each participant can shorten his/her stay at the site of the masters with 1-2 days and furthermore, if name sponsors later on are found, more money might be added to the prize pools.

Changed EBT Masters format

The first lane maintenance agreement between Kegel and ETBF was a one year agreement for 2005 and the second lane maintenance agreement between Kegel and ETBF is a three years agreement, terminating at the end of this year. In the last months pleasant, constructive and progressive negotiations has taken place between Kegel and ETBF, with the purpose to enter into the third consecutive lane maintenance agreement between the two partners.

As expected, we succeeded and we are therefore able to present Kegel as the Official Lane Maintenance Partner for ETBF for yet another three years period, namely for 2009-2011.
The main objectives for the agreement is lane maintenance at ETBF Championships, lane maintenance at selected EBT Stops and in addition some other services provided by Kegel.
Lane maintenance provided by Kegel is mandatory for championship hosts and in the agreement period ETBF will conduct a total of 9 championships, which is 1 European Women Championships (2010), 2 European Men Championships (2009 and 2011), 3 European Youth Championships and 3 European Champion Cups. Lane maintenance provided by Kegel is optional for the organizer of all categories of EBT Tournaments, but with different conditions for organizers of EBT Masters, Premiers and Majors on the one side and EBT Challengers on the other side. In addition to the lane maintenance part of the agreement, Kegel will provide the ETBF Technical Committee with a new Kegel LaneMapper to efficiently and accurately inspect the bowling lanes in centers hosting ETBF Championships as well as any bowling center wishing to obtain an official ETBF Centre Certification.

It was and it is essential for the ETBF Presidium to deal with a professional lane maintenance partner to ensure as fair conditions as possible for our sport. The ETBF Presidium is therefore very pleased and satisfied for the continued close partnership with Kegel for 2009-2011. Each of the organizers will in a few days receive detailed information about the new lane maintenance agreement and the possibilities it opens for each organizer.



Kim Thorsgaard Jensen
ETBF Vice President / EBT Director

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