Dear Friends, you’ll find here under some information about the upcoming Cavendish 2013 in Monaco. The presentation of the event is made by answers and questions (FAQ), loosely based on the interview already published by Brent Manley in the daily bulletin No 9 of the Summer National in Atlanta (NABC 2013).
As you see it, nothing special about the Cavendish itself: we try to improve what was not perfect last year and we’d like to create the “Ladies Cavendish” if enough pairs want to come and play it.
Here you can find a small flyer of Monaco Teams Tournament and Cavendish 2013: click here >>
Jean-Charles Allavena
Fed Bridge Monaco President
MONACO CAVENDISH 2013
FAQ
When did the Cavendish move to Monaco?
We organized the first edition of the Monaco Cavendish last year.
What was the reason for the change?
Let me say that we wanted to do in Monaco something looking like the Cavendish, and when we discussed with Roy Welland during the 2011 Invitational “Coupe Prince Albert II”, he said us “maybe you can do THE Cavendish”, which was confirmed some weeks later by Bob Hamman. It seems to us that the difficult economic situation made it every year more difficult in Las Vegas, with decreasing number of pairs and teams, and Bob thought that this move could refresh and renew the tournament.
Do you believe having the tournament in Monaco was advantageous for the tournament?
The result of this first year was incredible: 20 teams, 58 pairs, auctions at a level of 636 000 Euros (around 850 000 USD), and it seems that everybody appreciated the venue, the organization, the city… So let’s say that this goal of refreshing or renewing the tournament was achieved.
Is the plan still to alternate between Monaco and Las Vegas?
Our idea was clearly this one, but during the week in Monaco, I received a mail of Bob Hamman telling me “we wont do it in 2013″… consequence is that we decided to do it again, with the Teams event on Oct 21 & 22, and Pairs event on Oct 23 to 25… At today I’ve no idea about Bob’s will to do it in 2014: of course if he wants, tournament will go back to Las Vegas.. if he doesn’t, we’ll stay in Monaco, or maybe somewhere else in Europe, a surprise destination, so that players discover new great places…
The main event is invitational. If a player is interested, what is the process for playing in the Cavendish? Are there events for others who might want to attend?
Yes the event is invitational, which means that our Board decides who is invited to play and who isn’t… Of course, if someone is interested and hasn’t been contacted, he sends me a mail, we look at the profile and send (or not) an invitation. Besides this, we organize an Open International Teams Tournament, the 25th, which takes place the weekend before the Cavendish (Oct 18 to 20) and is opened to all players.
What’s the main difference between Monaco and Las Vegas concerning the players?
Let’s say, of course, that we’ve had last year a much higher number of European players than in Las Vegas: many Italian and French of course, but also from many diverse and even small countries. At the opposite, we lost more American players than I thought. It seems that, last year, there was a big regional in Florida at the same period, with players having signed contracts, but this was a little bit disappointing. The situation of this year is not really higher, even if we’ve to wait a little bit after Atlanta to have some more answers. Let me just say that it’s a huge pleasure to say that the last winners in Las Vegas, Bobby Levin and Steve Weinstein, Fred Stewart and Kit Woolsey will be in Monaco. Quite certainly will Joe Grue and Brad Moss come back, but too many others still wont.
Any new things or events?
Well, concerning the Teams and the Pairs, nothing special : we’ve heard some comments and critics about last years weak points, we’ve worked on it, and I believe that we’ll solve all these issues… but the great news is on a new project, that we had in mind for 2014, but due to the enthusiasm of people like Jessica Piafsky, we’re trying to do it in 2013: this is the “Ladies Cavendish”… The tournament will take place during the Pairs Cavendish, Ladies will play the same number of boards (and probably the same boards if possible), entry fees and minimum auction will be lower (750 and 2000, instead of 1500 and 5000). But as we want it to be a great event and a great pleasure for the players, we’ve decided that if we had not at least 20 pairs registered at September 1st, we wouldn’t do it and will wait for 2014. We’ve contact many players everywhere around the world, we’ve some interested feedback, let’s work, let’s see, and we’ll decide. In any case, interested ladies may contact me: jcaconseil@libello.com
Official site of the event: click here >>
***