Murcia 2006

The following article was contributed by Dorothy Kirk.. Thanks again Dorothy!!

VIII World Padel Championships
Murcia, Spain Oct 21-29/2006

The Championships were held in Murcia a city of 300,000 people on the eastern coast of Spain, which featured ideal weather and playing facilities. A total of Fifteen countries participated in this ever growing event. Canada sent a full team in women’s and men’s individual and team tournaments.

The tournament accomodations (Hotel Nelva) proved to be first class. Play was held at two venues within walking distance of the hotel. The “La Flota” club had 8 permanent glass courts including a small stadium court. The main site and pavilion featured an indoor 5000 seat stadium which came to life every evening with the boisterous flag waving home crowd. Unfortunately the home country did not provide to much to cheer about in the team event with Spanish men’s team losing to Brazil in the semi final which is their most disappointing finish in the team event. Argentina proved victorious in both the Men’s and Women’s team events. Spain had more to cheer about in the women’s open event with Christina Navarro winning the event after missing the 2004 championships in Buenos Aires with a serious knee injury. Navarro paired up with Paula Eyheraguibel of Argentina to defeat Tenerio and Pavon 6-3,5-7,6-1.

Christian Gutierrez and Hernan Auguste dominated the entire men’s open event winning the finals in decisive fashion over Losada and Meres 6-2,6-1.

The Canadian Men’s team had a couple of very close struggles with Austria and Germany before finishing the tournament in forteenth place with a convincing win over Belgium 3-0. The Canadian women’s squad were in a very tough pool with world powers Spain and Brazil. In the playoff rounds they managed a come from behind victory over Chile and finishing the tournament on a positive note by equaling their best ever seventh place finish.

Canadian Team members:

Men: Craig Lamb, Matt Barnfather, Kelly Shannon, Danny Shanon, Ralph Platz, Andres Stamile, Gabor Iles, George Zajiczek (Coach)

Women: Patti MacPhee, Shawna Lalande, Patti Shannon, Catherine Gauthier, Nancy Malone, Anna Martin, Dorothy Kirk (coach)