leggi in italiano »
Yesterday at its annual meeting the International Bridge Press Association (IBPA) has awarded Maria Teresa Lavazza of Turin, Italy as the IBPA Bridge Personality of the Year 2012. The main reason for this award in favour of Mrs. Lavazza was that during two decades under her captaincy the New Italian Blue Team won all major international team events: Bermuda Bowl, Olympiad, Rosenblum and European Championships; and some of those several times. After the European Championships in Dublin, June 2012, Mrs. Lavazza resigned as captain and selector of the Italian Open Team.
The award was handed over by IBPA President Patrick Jourdain to the manager of the Italian Open Team, mr. Massimo Ortensi. He accepted the price on behalf of Mrs. Lavaza, who was unable to be present at the ceremony.
Still Maria Teresa Lavazza had a message to the bridge press: “I am very sorry that I cannot receive in person this important award and I will be glad if the Italian Open team could receive it on my behalf. Unfortunately, on this occasion I could not attend with them but, as everyone knows, I have supported them as captain for many years, with passion and enthusiasm. This award, as recognition for so many years of love and dedication to our beautiful game, fills me with immense pride and satisfaction.”
Check the video and note that Mr. Jourdain thanked the Lavazza company donating coffee which woke up a generation of players for so many years to arrive timely at the bridge table.
***
Jan van Cleeff (BridgeTopics.com)
Lille (France), August 17th, 2012