Pace Canadian Classic Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Pace Credit Union Canadian Classic welcomes the world's best squash players once again to Toronto's fabulous BCE Place from 15-19 November 2004.
The $50,000 (USD) PSA Five Star Championship will feature the world's top five players and eight of the top ten, including new world No1 Lee Beachill (England), veteran and current No3 Peter Nicol (England) and perennial Canadian squash superstar and three-time Canadian Classic Champion, Jonathon Power. The Pace Classic is the only major squash championship held in Canada for 2004.
Recent changes in the scoring for men's professional squash argue well for increased competition at this year's Classic. A groundbreaking change by the Tour's sanctioning body reduces the point threshold for game-winning from 15 points to 11 (PAR). The result is more crisis in the course of each game and a reduction in overall match length. The system was utilised to resounding applause during both the Hong Kong Open (August) and the US Open (September).
According to event promoter John Nimick, who produces the Classic along with the US Open, British Open and the Tournament of Champions in New York, three of the PSA World Tour's other major events, the scoring change is a success: 'The feedback has been tremendous,' says Nimick. 'The PSA took a chance with the change as it opened them to criticism on many sides, but the proof is in the pudding. We experienced the best competition ever at the US Open and it was due in large part to the intensity brought to every stage of each match by the players. We are looking for more of the same in Toronto. When the score gets close to 5-5, everyone is paying attention!'
Power, ranked No9 at the entry deadline for the Classic, remains a strong contender on his home turf, though his first round match-up against the highly-touted Englishman James Willstrop (No12) may be a severe test. Beachill, Nicol, world No2 Thierry Lincou (France) and No3 David Palmer (Australia) are expected to threaten in the final rounds. Canadian Graham Ryding, ranked 19, receives a wildcard slot in the main draw of 16 and will face a tough challenge against Palmer in the first round.
Canada's premier squash championship is held on a transparent glass court in the middle of the Allen Lambert Galleria in BCE Place and features more than 450+ in surrounding seating. The Fitness Institute and Cambridge Club present the qualifying rounds on November 13 and 14, while the Mayfair Lakeshore Club hosts the third annual Junior Jam Clinic with the Pros on Sunday afternoon, November 14.
As Nimick sums up: 'Torontonians should prepare for a gangbusters tournament at BCE Place. The site has always been a majestic location for squash, perhaps not quite the equal of the Pyramids of Giza, but certainly the Canadian equivalent of Grand Central Station (home of the US Tournament of Champions), and the event sits in the heart of the busiest season for the pro tour. Under the new system any of the top players can win, so Power will have his hands full trying to become a record setting four time champion.'
Pace Credit and Savings Union, Ontario's top ranked member-owned bank, is the event's title sponsor. Secondary sponsorship is provided by Dundee Wealth Management Group, The Globe and Mail and TD Newcrest. Associate sponsors include Dunlop Sports, LeDrew Laishley Reed LLP, Novotel Toronto, Primus Telecommunications and Tom's Place.
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)1737-243333 or (mobile) +44 (0)7773-325130
HowHard@aol.com
The $50,000 (USD) PSA Five Star Championship will feature the world's top five players and eight of the top ten, including new world No1 Lee Beachill (England), veteran and current No3 Peter Nicol (England) and perennial Canadian squash superstar and three-time Canadian Classic Champion, Jonathon Power. The Pace Classic is the only major squash championship held in Canada for 2004.
Recent changes in the scoring for men's professional squash argue well for increased competition at this year's Classic. A groundbreaking change by the Tour's sanctioning body reduces the point threshold for game-winning from 15 points to 11 (PAR). The result is more crisis in the course of each game and a reduction in overall match length. The system was utilised to resounding applause during both the Hong Kong Open (August) and the US Open (September).
According to event promoter John Nimick, who produces the Classic along with the US Open, British Open and the Tournament of Champions in New York, three of the PSA World Tour's other major events, the scoring change is a success: 'The feedback has been tremendous,' says Nimick. 'The PSA took a chance with the change as it opened them to criticism on many sides, but the proof is in the pudding. We experienced the best competition ever at the US Open and it was due in large part to the intensity brought to every stage of each match by the players. We are looking for more of the same in Toronto. When the score gets close to 5-5, everyone is paying attention!'
Power, ranked No9 at the entry deadline for the Classic, remains a strong contender on his home turf, though his first round match-up against the highly-touted Englishman James Willstrop (No12) may be a severe test. Beachill, Nicol, world No2 Thierry Lincou (France) and No3 David Palmer (Australia) are expected to threaten in the final rounds. Canadian Graham Ryding, ranked 19, receives a wildcard slot in the main draw of 16 and will face a tough challenge against Palmer in the first round.
Canada's premier squash championship is held on a transparent glass court in the middle of the Allen Lambert Galleria in BCE Place and features more than 450+ in surrounding seating. The Fitness Institute and Cambridge Club present the qualifying rounds on November 13 and 14, while the Mayfair Lakeshore Club hosts the third annual Junior Jam Clinic with the Pros on Sunday afternoon, November 14.
As Nimick sums up: 'Torontonians should prepare for a gangbusters tournament at BCE Place. The site has always been a majestic location for squash, perhaps not quite the equal of the Pyramids of Giza, but certainly the Canadian equivalent of Grand Central Station (home of the US Tournament of Champions), and the event sits in the heart of the busiest season for the pro tour. Under the new system any of the top players can win, so Power will have his hands full trying to become a record setting four time champion.'
Pace Credit and Savings Union, Ontario's top ranked member-owned bank, is the event's title sponsor. Secondary sponsorship is provided by Dundee Wealth Management Group, The Globe and Mail and TD Newcrest. Associate sponsors include Dunlop Sports, LeDrew Laishley Reed LLP, Novotel Toronto, Primus Telecommunications and Tom's Place.
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)1737-243333 or (mobile) +44 (0)7773-325130
HowHard@aol.com