Karsten Aust (pictured left) of Germany used a 792 3-game series in the 7-game final of the 33rd Grand Prix Zurich to cruise to the title Sunday at Bowling Center BeSeCo in Rümikon-Winterthur, Switzerland. Aust beat out qualifying leader Jean-Marc Godel (right), Switzerland, for first place by four points, 102 to 98.

All 109 participants bowled 8 games of qualifying with handicap given based on 60 per cent of 200 (official average) but maximum 35 pins per game. A total of 42 players advanced to the semifinals with 50 per cent of the pinfall being carried forward.

Those 42 bowled three games to cut to the top 28, who bowled another two games before the cut to the top 14, who advanced to the final.

The finals in "Position Point System" featured 7 one-game rounds from scratch with points given for each round (14 points for the highest game, 13 for the second-highest, etc.) and the 7-game series including handicap (28 points for the highest series, 27 for the second-highest, etc.). The player with the highest point total was declared the winner.

Godel (zero handicap) lead the qualifying with 1832 8-game total and an average of 229.00. He was followed by compatriot Marc Jörg with 1791 including 25 pins handicap each game. Defending champion Oliver Blasé (left), Germany, was third with 1774 (scratch). Aust advanced in sixth place with 1757 (scratch).

Godel rolled games of 238, 248, 218, 254 and 208 in the semifinal round and held on to the lead with 2082 pinfall total or an average of 231. 33. His compatriots Marco von Moos and Sandro Ancarani were in second and third place with 2074 and 2043. Blasé was fourth with 2025 and Aust made the cut for the finals in 10th place with 1896.

In the finals, Alexander Szummer (right), Switzerland, took the early lead behind games of 234, 243 and 255 plus 7 pins handicap each game, before Aust took control thanks to games of 279, 256, 257 and 215. He sealed the victory with a final 215 game bringing his total points to 102. Godel was second with 98 followed by Szummer and Blasé in third and fourth place with 87 and 83 points.