Record eight foreign countries will be represented at 2007 USBC Queens

As bowling's richest and most prestigious tournament for women, the United States Bowling Congress Queens attracts competitors from all over the world. A record eight foreign countries will be represented in the 2007 event which will be conducted April 28-May 2 at AMF Carolina Lanes in the Charlotte suburb of Matthews, N.C.

Leading the way in foreign entrants are Malaysia and Singapore with seven each, followed by Canada and Japan with four, Australia and the Dominican Republic with two, and Colombia and Venezuela with one each.

The Queens will feature a field of more than 300 bowlers who will compete for a $200,000 prize fund and $30,000 first prize. Previously telecast on a tape-delayed basis, the Queens will be televised live for the first time by ESPN2 on May 2 at 7 p.m. Eastern.

In the 47-year history of the event, there have been three foreign champions: Katsuko Sugimoto (1981 and 1982) and Kazahue Inahashi (1984) of Japan, and Carol Gianotti of Australia (1989).

Gianotti, a 16-time Professional Women's Bowling Association champion, will be looking for her second Queens title in 2007.

"The Queens is recognized as one of the most prestigious and hardest tournaments to win," said the 39-year-old Gianotti. "To win it you know you have to bowl very well and have some luck at the same time."

Because of the Queens' demanding qualifying and three-game, double-elimination match play format, preparation is very important, Gianotti noted.

"For me it means a lot of practice," Gianotti said. "You're not only battling a demanding format and lane conditions, you're also bowling against the best women players in the world."

Among Gianotti's other accomplishments include 1998 PWBA and Bowling Writers Association of America Player of the Year honors. She was also Australia's representative in the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, Korea, where bowling was conducted as an exhibition sport.

Queens competitors will bowl two five-game qualifying blocks over two days (April 28-29) before the first cut to 100 players is made.

The top 100 then advance to another five-game qualifying round the morning of April 30 to determine the top 63 players who will join defending champion Shannon Pluhowsky in double-elimination match play.

Match play begins the afternoon of April 30 and continues May 1, after which the top five will be determined for the TV finals. Practice sessions will take place April 27 from 7-9 p.m.

In addition to the live telecast, the Queens is scheduled to be re-aired May 20 on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern. Tickets for the live broadcast on May 2 are $10 and can be purchased at AMF Carolina Lanes or Northcross Lanes in Huntersville, N.C.

The Queens is presented by the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev., and Kegel is the official lane maintenance supplier for USBC.