Strong Canadian team en route to Malaysia for the 2009 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup

10/31/09

Canada

2009BWCCANFinalsMichaelSchmidtCarolineLagrange.jpg2009BWCLogo.jpg2005 World Cup Champion Michael Schmidt of Tyndall, Manitoba, and Montreal, Quebec's Caroline Lagrange (pictured) are days away from a trip around the globe to represent Canada in the bowling world's annual gathering of nations, the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup.

Malaysia will Schmidt's fourth World Cup in 5 years. In Ljubljana, Slovenia (2005), his first World Cup performance, His drive and confidence powered him to victory. It was Canada's first World Cup men's title since Scarorough's Ray Mitchell won the title in 1972, ending Canada's 33-year drought.

After qualifying to represent Canada at the World Cup again in 2006 he remained a force to be reckoned with, finishing third in Caracas, Venezuela. 2007 saw Schmidt in his third consecutive appearance at the World Cup, this time in St. Petersburg.

He arrived in Russia hungry for a second taste of the World Cup title. Though he bowled extremely well, Schmidt was left with a fourth place finish, just missing out on the cut to the top 3 and the opportunity to climb the stepladder final to the title match.

A finish anyone would be proud of but shy of his goal. In 2008, after three consecutive Canadian titles and trips to the World Cup, Schmidt lost his spot to Calgary's World Cup regular Jack Guay, who came out on top at the Canadian nationals in Toronto and forced Schmidt to sit out a year.

This year in Laval, Quebec, the 29-year-old righthander reclaimed his Canadian title and won the right to represent Canada once again at the World Cup, with eyes set and heart locked on to a second title.

Joining Schmidt en route to Malaysia is a newcomer to the World Cup's international level, though she was runner up at the Canadian qualifier in 2008. A strong bowler with considerable experience for one so young, 25 year old Caroline Lagrange holds the distinction of holding the CTF (Canadian Tenpin Federation's) Female Bowler of the Year honor three times.

A gold medallist at CTF's 2004 National Championships she also holds two second place finishes (2005 & 2006) and is certain of much more acclaim as her bowling career progresses.

2005WCSchmidtLowe_0.jpgUSBC silver level coach Sandy Lowe, Lindsay, Ontario, will accompany the young Canadian talent to Malaysia and lend her expertise and experience to the Canadian Team. Sandra coached Schmidt through his 2005 World Cup and his title (pictured right). She was also coach in 2003 when Mississauga's Kerrie Ryan-Ciach won her women's World Cup title in Honduras (the first World Title for Canada since 1980).

Schmidt and Lagrange earned the right to wear Canada's red & white at the World Cup via impressive performances at the Canadian National Finals of the Bowling World Cup, which were held this past March at Centre de Quilles 440 in Laval, Quebec.

The Nationals have been conducted annually by Bowl Canada since 1966 (men's division) and 1974 (women's division) as the Canadian qualifier for the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup. 8 provincial champions in each of the men's and women's divisions, along with defending champs from last year, battled for the Canadian titles and a trip to the World Cup.

The 45th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup will be held November 13th to 20th at Melaka International Bowling Center in Melaka, Malaysia. Opening Ceremonies take place Sunday, November 15th.

Canada now has seven Bowling World Cup titles (3 men, 4 women) and is tied with the Philippines for the second most wins in World Cup history. The United States leads all nations for number of World Cup titles with 17 (9 men, 8 women).

 


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Participating countries and players as of Oct. 31, 2009