Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006

International Press Release 14-Feb-2006

To: Howard Harding for International Media
From: Roger J. Sherratt, Press Officer, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association
Date: 14th February 2006

Subject:

Bermuda will once again be the focus of attention for squash fans around the world in April when this tiny sub-tropical Island in the middle of the Atlantic holds the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006, presented by Logic, hosted by Endurance. This is the second phase of the biggest contract in the history of squash which saw Bermuda hosting the PSA Masters in 2005, followed by this event in 2006, and culminating with the PSA World Open in 2007.

The world's greatest squash players will assemble on the Island from April 2 - 8 for the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006, being held at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre in Hamilton which has proved an ideal venue for major squash tournaments. This prestigious tournament brings together all of the world's top 31 ranked players (as of 1st January), along with local "wildcard" qualifier, Nick Kyme, world #71 as the top ranked PSA player from Bermuda, to compete for a total of $120,000 in prize money. It will include players from 12 countries spanning five continents, with every player determined to make a positive start to the 2006 season.

Director of Squash Ross Triffitt says, 'We were delighted with the tremendous success of the 2005 event and are looking forward to fine tuning the tournament in 2006. The major change in this year's format is that we have split the second round and added an extra day to the schedule to allow for more matches on the glass court."

Bermuda will receive excellent exposure, with the tournament being broadcast to a potential viewing audience of 625 million people worldwide, plus live streaming over the internet. Says Triffitt, "Our success is due in large part to having first class volunteers working hard behind the scenes, and to our very supportive sponsors without whom we would simply not be able to put on an event of this magnitude."

"We are delighted to have Virtual Spectator as our title sponsor for the second year. Their superb technology is providing a new dimension to our sport and greatly enhances the event."

Gawain Briars, Chief Executive of the PSA gave high praise to the Bermuda organizers and for the tremendous support of the sponsors. He commented, "PSA salutes all parties involved as well as, and most importantly, the continuing title sponsors Virtual Spectator, presenting sponsors Logic and host sponsors Endurance. I also want to thank, in addition ACE, Bank of Bermuda, Bermuda Cablevision, the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Fairmont Resorts and Hotels Bermuda, RenaissanceRe and Xerox as primary sponsors to the event, with supporting sponsorship from Aardvark Communications, Air Care, Bacardi, Capital-G, the Bermuda Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, Digicel, and Miles Market. Sponsorship is the oxygen of professional sport and PSA recognises the invaluable contribution of all the above named parties in making this prestigious tournament such a continuing success on the world circuit."

When asked about the quality of players competing in Bermuda, Briars said, "The pack is shuffling again as top spots in the Dunlop PSA World Rankings change hands. Never has there been a more exciting period in the competitive game with a full group of serious contenders hungry and capable of lifting the title. So I am sure everyone will enjoy and savour again the dynamic skills of the best 32 squash professionals in the world as they fight it out for the honour of lifting the title Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006."

Triffitt gave an assurance that Bermuda is well prepared to host the second leg of the agreement with PSA. "We are all set for April with our new website having been launched at www.bermudamasters.com. Last year we had tremendous spectator support and we look forward to again having this world class event watched by packed audiences. One thing for sure, we can guarantee a truly amazing sports spectacle featuring a group of the fittest athletes in any sport, along with a warm welcome for our overseas visitors."

Tickets will be available from 1st March at www.boxoffice.bm.

In addition to the main tournament Bermuda is also organizing a series of additional events to attract overseas visitors. These include:-

• April 4th - 8th The Bermuda Open Graded Championship 2006. A USSRA sanctioned squash tournament
  catering to players of all standards, and designed to provide overseas visitors with a unique opportunity to
  play squash while also watching the world's best in action.
• March 31st - April 2 The Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior Open 2006. A USSRA sanctioned junior squash tournament providing juniors from around the world an opportunity to play while enjoying the atmosphere of a major PSA tournament.
• Coaching clinics, rules clinics, golf day with the players, and a host of Bermuda's famous social functions.

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DRAW

The players are seeded according to their PSA world rankings as of 1st January. The tournament opens with the defending champion and #1 seed, Jonathon Power of Canada, playing former top 10 player Joseph Kneipp of Australia.

The current World Champion and #2 seed Amr Shabana from Egypt will open the day session on Monday against Australian Cameron Pilley.

Monday night will feature Bermuda's wildcard, Nick Kyme, taking on one of the toughest opponents of his career, and also a very popular player on the local scene, Bermuda resident David Palmer, former world champion and #4 seed, who is fast returning to form having reached the finals of the World Open in December before losing out to Amr Shabana. This will be the ultimate test for Kyme who will no doubt be hoping for highly partisan crowd support to spur him on.

See separate sheets re the draw, top ten seeds, and changes in world rankings as of February.

BERMUDA AS A VENUE

Bermuda has been hosting international squash tournaments since 1969 and claims to have held the first "softball" tournament ever held on the western side of the Atlantic. The main venue is the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre at Bermuda High School, located in the tiny capital city of Hamilton on a specially imported all glass court, together with theatre-style seating for 600 spectators.

This is a major event for the small Island of Bermuda, with a total population of approximately 68,000, located 700 miles off the eastern coast of the U.S. Bermuda is one of the World's premier tourist destinations, with its magnificent pink beaches, pastel coloured houses and snow white roofs (despite snow being unheard of on this Island paradise!), numerous golf courses, and its long history as one of the few remaining British colonies. Hamilton is a thriving centre for International business, and believe it or not, well dressed businessmen do walk the streets wearing Bermuda shorts.

	Related Links
2006 Draw PDF Version of this Press Release - Opens in New Window Current PSA World Rankings - Opens in New Window Tournament Top 10 Seeds Tournament Sponsors Schedule of Events Tournament Venues