After three blistering days of intense competition, Calum Reid secured his first Racketlon title in exactly 3 years winning the Men’s A after acting as an injury replacement for Keith Lesser. It was a thrilling story in the Ladies A, where Martina Meißl claimed her first English Open title to add to her two previous Racket Masters titles here in the UK in a dramatic finale. Continue reading
Last weekend (29th & 30th April), over 25 participants gathered for the first ever International Racketlon Federation sanctioned tournament to be played in the USA. The tournament was open to all with draws for first timers, amateurs and elite players. The elite draw attracted some exceptional talent, including current world #9, Marko Välimäki as well the top two Canadian players, Patrick Laplante and Jeremy Easterbrook. The Canadians dominated, with Patrick taking the title and Jeremy the runner up spot. Top seeded Marko (credit: tournament director) put up a strong performance despite nursing an obvious injury, but the Canadians showed that they can compete with the top European talent!. All results are online on fir.tournamentsoftware.com Continue reading
The English Open is one of the most historic tournaments in Racketlon and it is back in 2017 for its 14th running. Over the years it has been won by all the greats of our sport, Eliasson, Kubanova, Lawrence, Ratzer and Reid to name just a few. For the 2017 edition we are guaranteed a new winner in the ladies event while in the men’s event, just Duncan Stahl (the defending champion) and Michi Dickert (2009) have tasted English Open glory before. Although entry is slightly lower than we would have hoped, the players who have entered and the resulting draws will make for an excellent event at the only Olympic quality Racketlon facilities in the world at the Redbridge Sports Centre. After another great UK Racketlon live event for the elite draws (re-watch it here) UK Racketlon will also be Live Blogging throughout here, so everyone will be able to keep in touch with the event throughout.
All draws can be found now on fir.tournamentsoftware.com Continue reading
In just two months, from June 23-25, 2017, the 11th Racketlon Swiss Open will take place in Zurich, Switzerland. Like in the previous years the event will be held at the VITIS sports center.
If you have not registered yet, we offer you 3 good reasons why you must not miss this well-established tournament in Zurich.
1. Excellent venue
VITIS is the largest and best racket-sport center in Switzerland and offers the ideal venue for the Racketlon Swiss Open. Its size and the number of courts support an optimal tournament schedule.
2. Easy to reach including option for budget accommodation
Zurich can be reached easily from many destinations with cheap direct flights and the VITIS sports courts are close to the Zurich city center, conveniently connected by public transport. For the first time, we are offering the participants with smaller travel budgets the opportunity to camp next to the VITIS sports center – be it in your own tent or in a tent provided by us.
3. Attractive prizes
In addition to typical Swiss trophies, the winners will also enjoy attractive gifts and Swiss chocolate. That alone should be a good reason to join!
So, don’t hesitate and register today at: fir.tournamentsoftware.com
We look forward to welcoming you to Zurich.
Esther Dübendorfer
For the Czech Open 2017, 132 players from 19 countries came to Prague to fight for the titles in 9 double categories and 12 single categories from 21st to 23rd of April.
In Men Elite we welcomed seed 1, Lukas Windischberger from Austria (WR 3) and seed 2, Morten Jaksland from Denmark (WR 4). Seed 3, Austrian Michi Dickert, who withdrew the night before the tournament, was replaced by Benjamin Hampl from Switzerland (WR 7) and seed 4, Danish Jesper Hougaard (WR 8). In Women Elite seeds 1 and 2 both came from Austria: Christine Seehofer (WR 1) and Bettina Bugl (WR 6).
All results are now online on fir.tournamentsoftware.com
During the first day of the tournament, all matches of the double categories were played as well as some first round matches of the single categories.
In Men Elite Doubles the unseeded pair Morten Jaksland (DEN) and Janez Makovec (SLO) won over top seeded Dan Busby (GBR) and Benjamin Hampl (SUI) in the first round. In the final they also succeded in the match against 2nd seeded Lukas Windischberger (AUT) and Piers Boden (GBR). The bronze medal went to „the oldies“ Richard Middleton (GBR) and Thomas Knaack (GER).
In Women Elite Doubles, according to expectations, Christine Seehofer and Bettina Bugl (both AUT) won in a round robin over Svenja Kleb (GER) and Margaux Randjbar (FRA) who became 2nd and Heike Voigt (GER) and Kirsten Kaptein (NED) who became 3rd.
The winner in Mixed Doubles were Christine Seehofer and Lukas Windischberger (both AUT) who won over Natalie Paul (GER)/ Morten Jaksland (DEN) in the final.
Two Austrians and two Germans reached the semifinals in Women Elite.
Christine Seehofer (AUT) beat Heike Voigt (GER) and Natalie Paul (GER) beat Bettina Bugl (AUT). Christine Seehofer once again took the gold medal without having to play tennis in one of her matches.
A big surprise in Men Elite was Rav Rykowski who beat Piers Boden (GBR) in the first round, then Morten Jaksland (DEN, WR 4) in the quarterfinal and Janez Makovec (SLO) in the semifinal. In the final Rav and Lukas (credit: Czech Open) were even before tennis, but the Austrian showed his strenght winning tennis by 21-14.
The most thrilling final took place in the men’s B category between Michal Horacek from the Czech Republic and Loic Cencig from France where the Czech took gold by winning in a Gummiarm.
All finals and some semifinal matches of elite categories were broadcasted by video stream (you can find it on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkMMJG9xpqUlhirgQmcjxHg/live. All recorded streams are on right side) and ensured with live scoring on monitors.
Pictures taken by Filip Rejthar can be found here!
See you next year!
Svatopluk Rejthar
Tournament Director
The Vienna Classics are the first international tournament in the year which where held at City and Country Club Wienerberg last weekend for the second time.
It looks like the Austrians showed their best game at their home tournament and so both Elite podiums were full of Austrians. All results are now online on fir.tournamentsoftware.com
In Women Elite World no.1 Christine Seehofer (credit:racketlon.at) was too strong for the rest and saved her first title in 2017. The Podium was filled by Bettina Bugl on the second place and Elisabeth Seehofer on the third.
In the Men Elite draw Lukas Windischberger showed that his top seeding was correct. He won over Michi Dickert (second) and Stephan Schmutzer (third).
Also the doubles were lead by the players of hosting country: the gold medals went to Windischberger/Dickert in the men doubles, Seehofer/Seehofer in the women doubles and Seehofer C. /Windischberger in the mixed.
But also all other Draws where tight and we saw some spectacular ralleys from the „Amateurs“. Leigh Sands from Australia for example showed us a „Superman“ dive on the Badminton court.
Florian Ptacnik did a great job as Tournament Director and had a great Team behind him, so everything ran very well.
Link Photos: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/racketlon/sets/
Fabian Hofmann
General Secretary
Racketlon Federation Austria
The FIR Racketlon World Tour traditionally starts with the 7. Vienna New Years Classics (6-8 Jan) with near to 100 players and 150 entries. All FIR World Tour regulations will be fulfilled at City & Country Club in Vienna with perfect playing conditions and official referees (not players) on all four center courts. Three match courts and practice courts are available throughout the whole weekend thanks to our sponsor ASKÖ Wien. All players receive a gift and a voucher -34% on all VICTOR products in www.racketlonshop.at thanks to our ball sponsor VICTOR Austria. The event kicks-off with doubles on Friday and finishes on Sunday noon with the elite singles finals. All draws and the time schedule are now online on fir.tournamentsoftware.com
1000 Euro Prize Money for Elite
Austrian top players Christine Seehofer and Lukas Windischberger (credit:racketlon.at) are the top favorites for victory in the elite draws. We are proud to present 1000 Euro prize money for these categories.
If you need any more information on the tournament please contact our Tournament Director Florian Ptacnik +43 699 17208804 ptacnik@racketlon.at
Marcel Weigl
RFA-Executive President
Just a little bit more than a week left to register for the start of the 2017 FIR World Tour. The tournament will take place in Vienna from 6th to 8th January at the City and Country Club Wienerberg, which is also the location of the Austrian Racketlon Federation´s office combined with a Racketlonshop. The center furthermore offers a great setup having 5 courts of each sport available to be competed and practiced on, a nice restaurant and even Sauna to improve regeneration!
The tournament itself offers the high standard that the Austrian Racketlon Federation tries to hold and improve each year. Perfect court conditions, well organized time schedule and experienced and helpful staff at the tournament desk.
To give you a brief overview of what the RFA offers for all players:
Furthermore located 2 and respectively 7 minutes walking distance away from the tournament hotels, you can go to the room relax and refresh yourself and prepare for the next matches
For more information visit: http://racketlon.at/vc2017/tournament-information or contact the tournament director via: Ptacnik@rackelton.at
The RFA together with the new tournament director Florian Ptacnik is looking forward to hosting many players and create a Racketlon weekend for everyone to enjoy!
For now we wish you a merry Christmas and hope to see you healthy and well in the New Year!
Florian Ptacnik
Tournament Director
2017 will be another great year for Austria on the FIR World Tour. From 6th to 8thJanuary the year will traditionally kick-off with the 7th Vienna New Year Classics in City & Country Club managed by the new tournament director Florian Ptacnik. At the same location RFA – Racketlon Federation Austria will then host the FIR 2ndEuropean Championships in singles, doubles and teams from 30th August to 3rdSeptember. One weekend earlier the European Champs for juniors and seniors will be held in Wr. Neudorf from 25th to 28th of August. Tournament information is now online on www.racketlon.at/vc2017 and www.racketlon.at/ec2017
Please be fast to book your rooms at the tournament hotel Arion Cityhotel, where the prices were lowered by 10€ per room compared to 2016 until latest 4th December 2016 via e-mail to RFA office reischer@racketlon.at
Register for Vienna Classics!
RFA-President
Marcel Weigl
2017 will be another great year for Austria on the FIR World Tour. From 6th to 8thJanuary the year will traditionally kick-off with the 7th Vienna New Year Classics in City & Country Club managed by the new tournament director Florian Ptacnik. At the same location RFA – Racketlon Federation Austria will then host the FIR 2ndEuropean Championships in singles, doubles and teams from 30th August to 3rdSeptember. One weekend earlier the European Champs for juniors and seniors will be held in Wr. Neudorf from 25th to 28th of August. Tournament information is now online on www.racketlon.at/vc2017 and www.racketlon.at/ec2017
Please be fast to book your rooms at the tournament hotel Arion Cityhotel, where the prices were lowered by 10€ per room compared to 2016 until latest 4th December 2016 via e-mail to RFA office reischer@racketlon.at
Register for Vienna Classics!
RFA-President
Marcel Weigl