Formula One driver takes on field in Vienna
10/03/08
As one of the top Formula One drivers, accuracy and precision is a crucial key to whether or not Robert Kubica has success in each race. In his short career as a bowler, he's finding many of the same factors apply in the sport of bowling.
Kubica, who took up bowling for the first time five years ago, recently became more serious about competing in major events. This week, he's trying his luck at the 2008 Columbia 300 Vienna Open, and there's little doubt in his mind bowling is a sport.
"I try to tell people it's really difficult, you have to really have a lot of knowledge, experience and precision," Kubica said. "Something that is really similar to Formula One is precision. We have to be really precise on our lanes, where to go, and it's the same with bowling. If you make a small mistake in bowling, it costs you a lot, and the same is with Formula One. Of course, the speed of the game is completely different. Bowling is a really tough sport, it looks easy but mentally and physically there are really high standards."
A native of Krakow, Poland, Kubica, 23, currently sits in third in the Formula One driver standings, and in June, he won the Grand Prix du Canada in Montreal. He also has two second-place finishes and three third-place finishes this year. The Formula One calendar takes Kubica around the world, with stops from North America to Europe to Asia.
Despite all of the travel and training, Kubica initially took up bowling as a way to occupy his time while not on the race track. After bowling for about a year, he strayed from the sport before finally returning about six months ago.
"I was at home with nothing to do, and I had some friends who were working in the bowling center in Krakow, so I started playing there a bit," Kubica said. "I bowled for one year, but then I stopped it because I had some more important stuff to do. I was getting upset because I couldn't train, I couldn't bowl a lot and I was getting upset when I was bowling bad. I restarted bowling a half a year ago."
In July, he competed in his first European Bowling Tour event, the Storm San Marino Open, and finished in 191st place with a six-game total of 1,069. He got off to a slow start in his opening qualifying squad at the Vienna Open, shooting 1,036, but has plans to bowl in more qualifying rounds this weekend.
The difference in lane conditions is one thing Kubica said he is finding challenging as he branches out and competes in more events.
"I always play in the same bowling center on the same lanes and the same conditions," Kubica said. "It's quite challenging to arrive into a new place and discover new things. When I know the lanes, I feel more comfortable especially when the lanes are pretty easy and you don't have to be spot on."
Kubica recently reached the pinnacle of the sport when he shot a perfect game at a local tournament in Italy. A day after the 300 game, he totaled 1,022 for four games in the same tournament, an average of 255.5. But for Kubica, high scores are not the ultimate goal.
"The most important thing for me is having fun," Kubica said. "Of course, while I am playing bad, I am getting upset, but I am not a professional, I'm just having fun and that's what is important."
Kubica is one of nearly 300 bowlers from 28 countries competing this week at the 2008 Columbia 300 Vienna Open. For complete coverage of the tournament, including standings and updates after each squad, visit Bowlingdigital.com.
Photos Lars Müller.
Column
By Lucas Wiseman
As one of the top Formula One drivers, accuracy and precision is a crucial key to whether or not Robert Kubica has success in each race. In his short career as a bowler, he's finding many of the same factors apply in the sport of bowling. Kubica, who took up bowling for the first time five years ago, recently became more serious about competing in major events. This week, he's trying his luck at the 2008 Columbia 300 Vienna Open, and there's little doubt in his mind bowling is a sport.
"I try to tell people it's really difficult, you have to really have a lot of knowledge, experience and precision," Kubica said. "Something that is really similar to Formula One is precision. We have to be really precise on our lanes, where to go, and it's the same with bowling. If you make a small mistake in bowling, it costs you a lot, and the same is with Formula One. Of course, the speed of the game is completely different. Bowling is a really tough sport, it looks easy but mentally and physically there are really high standards."
A native of Krakow, Poland, Kubica, 23, currently sits in third in the Formula One driver standings, and in June, he won the Grand Prix du Canada in Montreal. He also has two second-place finishes and three third-place finishes this year. The Formula One calendar takes Kubica around the world, with stops from North America to Europe to Asia.
Despite all of the travel and training, Kubica initially took up bowling as a way to occupy his time while not on the race track. After bowling for about a year, he strayed from the sport before finally returning about six months ago.
"I was at home with nothing to do, and I had some friends who were working in the bowling center in Krakow, so I started playing there a bit," Kubica said. "I bowled for one year, but then I stopped it because I had some more important stuff to do. I was getting upset because I couldn't train, I couldn't bowl a lot and I was getting upset when I was bowling bad. I restarted bowling a half a year ago." In July, he competed in his first European Bowling Tour event, the Storm San Marino Open, and finished in 191st place with a six-game total of 1,069. He got off to a slow start in his opening qualifying squad at the Vienna Open, shooting 1,036, but has plans to bowl in more qualifying rounds this weekend.
The difference in lane conditions is one thing Kubica said he is finding challenging as he branches out and competes in more events.
"I always play in the same bowling center on the same lanes and the same conditions," Kubica said. "It's quite challenging to arrive into a new place and discover new things. When I know the lanes, I feel more comfortable especially when the lanes are pretty easy and you don't have to be spot on."
Kubica recently reached the pinnacle of the sport when he shot a perfect game at a local tournament in Italy. A day after the 300 game, he totaled 1,022 for four games in the same tournament, an average of 255.5. But for Kubica, high scores are not the ultimate goal.
"The most important thing for me is having fun," Kubica said. "Of course, while I am playing bad, I am getting upset, but I am not a professional, I'm just having fun and that's what is important."
Kubica is one of nearly 300 bowlers from 28 countries competing this week at the 2008 Columbia 300 Vienna Open. For complete coverage of the tournament, including standings and updates after each squad, visit Bowlingdigital.com.
Photos Lars Müller.