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Nov 2000 Gallery: Wright out!... Aussies weakened .... US as well .... about money.... and more (updated, 11/18/00)

Nov 17, 2000, Edinburgh, Scotland. © 2000 SquashTalk

WRIGHT PULLS OUT
In the latest shock news to hit the world team championships to be held next week in Sheffield, England, Sue Wright, the surprise British Open finalist last month, has had to pull out of the England team with a reoccurrence of the virus ailment that sidelined her for almost a year. This is the second blow to the England team after the withdrawal of Cassie Campion, their number one string, who had an operation on her back this week. Sue Wright ranked 11 in the world, was chosen in preference to Suzanne Horner, ranked 8, and Fiona Geaves, ranked 11, because of her startling performance at the British Open. To replace Wright, England cannot now choose Horner or Geaves, because they are ranked above her. The rules stipulate that replacements must be ranked lower than the fourth ranked member. So step forward Rebecca Macree, ranked 15, the only deaf player on the WISPA circuit. Fortunately, she won't be able to hear the cries of anguish from Horner and Geaves.

DISSENSION SPREADS
Everybody is now talking about the weakness of the competition. You've already read on Squashtalk of the mutiny in the Australian ranks (we scooped the world on that one). Now that Carol Owens is world champion, Squash Australia has to bite the bullet and field a team that does not include the world champion. Sunuva bowlegged kangaroo mate, that's real crook ain't it? With Sarah Fitz-Gerald back to form the Aussies would have walked it with Owens as number one. Now, not a chance.

NOW THE YANKS JOIN IN
I was talking to Ivy Pochoda who got to the final of the Plate event and she tells me that the US team will not be fielding its two strongest players, Latasha and Shabana Khan, who are ranked 20 and 32 because they are not seeing eye to eye with the US authorities. (I do not know the full story, or, come to that, even a bit of it) So now the US will be fielding a team led by Pochoda , ranked 59, Shirin Kaufman, 94, Louisa Hall, 122, and Margaret Elias. "It's really a shame. With our two best players we would have had our highest finish ever, because this is a weakened field. It's a pity that the authorities don't bend a bit and the Khans don't bend a bit. Neither side really seem to be interested in fielding the strongest team," Pochoda told me.

HOW MANY VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH WOULD YOU LIKE SIR?
When I wrote the story on the Aussie mutiny, I quoted Carol Owens when I said that the Squash Australia does not pay them for playing for their country. I got a sharp email from Ross Barry at Squash Australia who said that is not so, they do indeed pay their players. When I told Owens, she corrected herself and said they got A$600 - about U$360. What she meant to say was that they never got paid enough. (That's how writers get into jams and make enemies on both sides).

THINK OF A SUM, ANY SUM.
In talking to Sarah Fitz-Gerald, trying to get the real truth, she told me that they only get paid if they win. And then only A$300. When I told her about the A$ 600 figure, her eyes widened. Were different players getting paid differing amounts.? And is it absolutely correct to say that a win bonus is payment for playing? Because if they lose they don't get the money, therefore they are not being paid to play. Choose which version of the truth you prefer. As a final note, I asked Carol Owens at her winner's press conference (where she was clutching her U$9,700 cheque), if she would play for Australia if they offered her £5,000, Yes, she said immediately. £4,0000? Yes. £3,000, Yes. £2,000? Her answer was drowned out by the laughter.

GLAD AND SAD
Sarah Fitz-Gerald had mixed emotions about her performance at the Eye Group World Open. I told her that I thought she would have been very encouraged at getting to the semis and almost making the final. "Yes, but I came her really thinking I could win it, so I am disappointed. But as my knee is giving me no real problems I'm happy to be in a position to challenge the top four," she said. I asked her about the rumors concerning her plans to retire. "Well I am 31 and I don't want to start falling down the rankings. If I can stay in the top four then I won't retire for a couple of years. My next goal is the Commonwealth games in 2002, I would like to get a gold medal. If I stay at the top I shall retire after that. You know I want to have children and I have to think about my life after squash," she pointed out.

EDINBURGH THE BEAUTIFUL
This really is the loveliest of cities, with something wonderful to look at in all directions. In the middle of the city is not only Edinburgh Castle, imperiously looking down on everything, but also Arthur's Seat, a very craggy mountain (an old volcano they say). We walked almost to the top in a circular tour and the scenery was quite staggering in every direction. On your next visit to the UK be sure to add it to your itinerary. There is also the Russell Collection of keyboard instruments in St. Cecilia's Hall, one of the finest collections of ancient harpsichords, spinets, virginals and clavichords in the world. Beautiful woods and remarkable decorations, still looking in mindtcondition. What a wonderful way for an organologist to spend Saturday afternoon.

PLEASE DON'T TREAD ON THE FLOOR.
The Women's World Open used the new ASB glass court introduced at the British Open. It has a sprung floor (Jonathon Power was said to have quipped that it felt like squash and trampolining combined.) I spoke to one of the technicians who erected it in the Meadowbank Centre and he said they have to level the base to within 1 mm of tolerance. Unfortunately, the floor on which they were erecting the court was also sprung and if someone walked in to the arena while they were levelling, everything went wonky again. He had grey hair. However, none of the players complained of sore legs though.