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Canadian Classic Preview - Nimick Keeps String Going
November 16, 2003, From Toronto; © 2003 Squashtalk, all rights of reproduction reserved.

It’s Round 2 for the Battle of Canada as the PSA men’s professional squash tour travels east to Canada’s largest city. For the 4th straight year the Event Engine promotion machine will be plugged into Toronto’s BCE place as the Pace Credit Union Canadian Classic is set to take center stage from November 17th-20th.

With the qualifying rounds underway today it’s easy to forget that this tournament almost didn’t happen. Tournament Director and Event Engine President John Nimick explains.

“Well we had three terrific years of sponsorship for the Canadian Classic right out of the box and the event had grown to world class status as a result. After YMG’s three-year deal concluded, we assessed our options and evaluated the situation. The choices were straightforward. Find a new sponsor or take a year off. Thanks to Lolly Gillen our Promotions and Ticketing Director we were fortunate enough to find Pace Credit Union, which was already involved with a Squash Ontario grass roots program benefiting the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada.

"We were able to make our case explaining the benefits for supporting both the grass roots and the Classic. They agreed. Fortunately, with an event you have run for several years, popping the clutch and getting into “green light gear” is relatively easy”

When you’ve built a reputation for putting on first class events it’s only natural that both the public and the players want to see things continue. We have been able to maintain the tournament in both draw size and top ten world stature despite a small decrease in prize money compared to previous years. Fortunately the months of uncertaintly haven’t stopped the world’s best from showing up or hurt ticket sales.

“I have never been more thankful than this year when I explained personally to Peter Nicol, John White, David Palmer and Jonathon Power that the Classic was in transition and we thought we could make the event happen in 2003 with their support.

"They are all here.

"Ticket sales are sensational. We are 93% sold out four days before the first round. We will have 400 people on hand for our first session and sell standing room above 550 for the quarters, semis and finals.” Nimick adds, “I think one of our greatest assets is that we don’t think of any of our events as squash tournaments. They are major sporting events. We use whatever resources and relationships we have to make the best possible presentation we can. For the Pace Credit Union Canadian Classic I feel as if we’re competing against the Toronto Maple Leafs, not another squash tournament."

Squash fans in Toronto know a good thing when they see it. The Classic is a good thing. They also know that Canadian Jonathon Power, now ranked 4th in the world, has always done very well at this tournament. Power was a Torontonian for many years prior to moving to Montreal and when we spoke earlier in the week you could hear the passion in his voice. He commented, “It’s very exciting to come back home. Every year I look forward to playing in this event. I’ve won two of three and I am the defending champion so I’m looking to keep it going. “I’m looking to win”

There will be 15 other players looking to do the same. Could it be that parity is rearing its ugly head in professional squash? Power says, “There are no more easy matches, they’re all close these days. Once again I’ve got a real tough draw to deal with. It’s hard to pick.”

He’s right, as World #2 John White, #10 Lee Beachill and the ever-dangerous Martin Heath could be potential combatants. However it’s Paul Price, the recent winner in Saskatoon and former top 10 player, that Power says to watch out for. “Price is really playing well right now as his recent results show. He’s getting some wins and with the wins he’s getting some confidence.”

Sitting up in the top half of the draw are World #1 Peter Nicol and World #3 David Palmer. These two gents will have to be equally sharp, as one must never forget about Graham Ryding the tournaments 8th seed and the lightning fast Shahier Razik. Both players have proven that on any given day they are capable of beating anyone in the world and if spurred on by the crowd, just watch them cause some upsets.

Hats off to Nimick and Co. for once again making this tournament a reality. I’m flying out on Tuesday, as both Martin Bronstein and myself will be on hand to provide you with unparalleled coverage. Stay tuned to Squash Talk as the next best thing to being there live is reading about it here as it happens. Daily reports, interviews and match-by-match analysis soon to be heading your way from Bronstein and Barnett.

BCE Place Venue - photo © Ron Beck