Click Graphic to transport to Official WBF event web pages.

The WBF is holding the 4th IOC Grand Prix as an "attraction" in Salt Lake City Feb 2-6, 2002 – just before the Opening Ceremony (8th February) of the 2002 Olympic Winter.

BEST IN THE WORLD
Click here for a listing of participants in the IOC Grand Prix including the Junior Teams.

The most prestigious invitational team event of the year, held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and the World Bridge Federation.

CANADA WINS THE GOLD IN THE MENS
CANADA 76 POLAND 64.5
BRONZE GOES TO ITALY

FRANCE WINS GOLD IN THE WOMENS
FRANCE 173 USA 80
BRONZE GOES TO THE NETHERLANDS

DEAD TIE IN THE JUNIORS!
AMERICAS 135 NORTH EUROPE 135
NORTH AMERICA WINS THE BRONZE

Maple Leaf Forever

From the daily web page - In one of the best played and most exciting finals of recent years, Canada, represented by Keith Balcombe, Gordon Campbell, Nicholas Gartaganis, Fred Gitelman, Peter Jones and Joseph Silver defeated Poland's Cezary Balicki, Michal Kwiecen, Jacek Poletylo, Jacek Pszczola, Marek Wojciki and Adam Zmudzinski, Alicja Kornasiewicz, (Captain) to win the fourth IOC Grand Prix for the Generali Trophy. Italy easily won the third place play-off against Norway.

A brilliant display saw France, Véronique Bessis, Bénédicte Cronier, Catherine D'Ovidio and Sylvie Willard score an emphatic victory over USA, represented by Mildred Breed, Amalya Kearse, Jill Meyers, Sharon Osberg, Shawn Quinn, Kerri Sanborn, Rose Meltzer and Peter Weichsel (Coach). Third place went to The Netherlands, who defeated Germany.

In the Junior Teams Americas, Augustin Madala & Carlos Pellegrini, Joel Wooldridge & John Hurd tied with Europe North, Bas Drijver & Sjoert Brink Andreas Marquardsen & Martin Schaltz. 

NEVER SAY DIE - Halfway through the Men's semifinal, underdogs Canada trailed the mighty Italians by 42 IMPs, and the situation didn't improve when they dropped another 10 on the first board of the third set. Down 52 with 23 deals left was not impossible, but required a major suspension of disbelief from the Canadian supporters. Click Here for article on the Canada Italy match written by CBF president Ray Lee

SEMI-FINAL MEN

Poland 112
Norway 89

Canada 109
Italy 98

SEMI FINAL WOMEN

Netherlands 65
France 113

Germany 67
USA 109.3

DAILY BULLETINS

Feb2 | Feb3 | Feb4 |
Feb 5 | Feb 6 | Feb 7 |

A series of articles written by Fred Gitelman about the IOC tournament (containing analysis of over 50 deals from this event) is available through the Bridge Library area of Bridge BaseOnline.

CANADA: A Canadian Perspective
Click Here

PLAY THE HANDS FROM SALT LAKE CITY! The World Bridge Federation, Bridge Trix, and ECats challenge YOU to play at the 4th IOC Grand Prix in Salt Lake City. The hands were made available two days after they are played in Salt Lake City and will stay up for your enjoyment. Click Here for Instructions.

OLYMPIC HANDS ANALISED Thanks to Matt Ginsberg one can look at the hands and the play in Salt Lake City. For us, Canadians it is even more heart worming. But for all bridge enthusiasts it is a nice favor from Matt.

dpat02.exe
2002.zip

To enjoy the above possibility you can download from Fred Gitelman's Bridge Base Online site a free program containing Fred's Vugraph. After it has been installed a simple double click on Matt's downloaded hands provide complete overview of the event.

Just as an interesting observation the final's hands analysed with Deep Finess (DF) double dummy analyser show that Fred Gitelman not only won the olympics with his team, but played his hands 100% as DF would have suggested it before. Congratulations for the perfect game! Michael Kovacs

e-bridge - For the first time in history, e-bridge's Vugraph will available live, at the same time the match is played in SLC. Upon agreement with the WBF this feature will be open to all visitors. e-bridge also has a page of information links etc. May be a good place to go if you're having trouble accessing the WBF site.