In true Las Vegas fashion, Cher and Elvis impersonators helped kick off the 2009 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women's Championships at Cashman Center on Monday night.

The opening ceremonies introduced the 45 countries that will be competing this week and celebrated the event's return to the United States for the first time since it was held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., in 1995.

This year's tournament marks the first time professionals will be allowed to compete at the WTBA World Women's Championships, and the 228 competitors will take to the lanes beginning with singles Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. PDT.

They will compete in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team and Masters competition before the event concludes Sunday. Medals also will be awarded for All Events.

The picture shows Team USA. Click on the images to enlarge.

The World Championships is being held on the same lanes that played host to the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, which wrapped up its record 154-day run last Friday.

Pictured right: Carol Gianotti, former PWBA champion, took the players' oath.

During the USBC Open Championships, a near-record 17,200 five-player teams, and more than 87,000 total bowlers competed on the championship lanes.

The one-of-a-kind 60-lane bowling venue was specially constructed inside Cashman Center and includes the world's largest mobile video scoreboard, an investment of nearly $6 million, spectator seating, office, vendor and pro shop space, a scale room, squad room, registration area and shipping department.

"The venue for this year's World Women's Championships is unlike any other, and the stadium atmosphere gives us a great opportunity to showcase our sport to guests, media and sponsors," said WTBA President Kevin Dornberger (pictured left, and right throwing the ceremonial first ball to open the Championships).

"We are also excited about the additions of professional bowlers to this event, which now allows the best bowlers in the world, regardless of professional status, to compete for their home countries."

USBC plans to live stream portions of the event on bowl.com, and bowling fans around the world will be able to watch the finals and select semifinals.

© Bowlindigital/Beat Grauwiler

 

WTBA World Women's Championships live stream schedule

(all times Pacific)

Thursday, July 30, 2009
5:30 p.m. Singles semifinals and finals
7:00 p.m. Doubles semifinals and finals

Friday, July 31, 2009
6:30 p.m. Trios semifinals and finals

Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
6:30 p.m. Team semifinals and finals

Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
12 p.m. Masters semifinals and finals

 

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