We began the year with a very difficult set on which less than 4% of competitors scored in the 70s. I thought this second set of the year was easier, and it seems that it was, although not by much, as still only 6% managed to break the 70/80 barrier. All the more kudos to this month’s co-winners, all of whom produced perfect 80/80 responses to lead the field:
Venkatesh Ramaratnam from India,
Doug Baxter from Canada,
Nuno Quaresma from Portugal, and
Maurizio Partesano from Italy
Based in Bengaluru, India, Venkatesh took early retirement from the IT industry. He began playing 30+ years ago, and represented India in the World Junior Championships in the late 90s. He has subsequently won numerous national titles, and he has performed numerous roles including coach, commentator, director and administrator.
Doug is a Canadian Senior who has been playing bridge since 1977. With his current partner, David Lindop, Doug has represented Canada in one Bermuda Bowl and, more recently, in two D'Orsi Bowls.
Nuno is a 56-year-old dentist who learned bridge in his final year at university. He was a regular tournament player for almost 15 years, but the demands of career and family life put a halt to that 20 years ago. He says, “I still love the game, and I meet up with a group of friends to discuss the bidding problems each month. I intend to return regularly to the table after my retirement (current prediction: 2043).”
An Italian amateur player, Maurizio is 74 years old and now retired. He lives in Biella, a small town in the Piedmont region, with his wife Manuela and his three three cats (Michetta, Boh and Cino).
Also on the February Honour Roll, with a score of 79/80, are:
Tom Schlangen from USA, and
David Birnbaum from USA
And, with a score of 78/80:
Johan Bennet from Sweden, and
Jon Green from UK
Emphasizing the international nature of this competition, players from seven different countries and three continents fill the places on this month’s honour roll.
Victors from both Italy and India this month elevates the number of countries producing winning competition entrants since the beginning of 2024 to an even 20.
A total of 74 competitors returned scores of 70/80 or higher on this set, so congratulations to everyone scoring in the 60s or above on what proved to be another tough set of hands.
