After four successful editions of the Winter Games, the European Bridge League (EBL) has decided to upgrade the event’s status. Starting in 2024, it will become the European Winter Transnational Championship, and is scheduled to become an annual event in the European bridge calendar. The inaugural edition of this new tournament will take place in Alpe d’Huez, France, from April 15 to 21.
Eric Laurant, President of the European Bridge League, conveys his excitement: “We are delighted to bring the championship to Alpe d’Huez, a location renowned for its stunning views. Our commitment is to host the event with the highest standards of gameplay available today. We will provide digital bidding boxes, cameras, and complete sets of boards at each table to maximize comfort for all participants. The event’s format, including full-day playoff rounds, is designed to foster the most competitive environment. We anticipate the presence of many of the world’s top players and are equally enthusiastic about offering special opportunities for amateur players to join and engage in our event.”
The tournament format will feature two days of qualification, with the top 16 teams advancing to the playoffs, while the others will have the opportunity to participate in a second event – the BAM Trophy, sponsored by the Les Etincelles group. Teams eliminated from the playoffs can also join the BAM event. Ultimately, four teams will compete for EBL medals and titles, and the remaining teams will share €20,000 in prize money, generously provided by the Les Etincelles group for the BAM event.
Hosted in one of the largest ski resorts in the French Alps, Alpe d’Huez, the event promises a genuine winter atmosphere, despite taking place in April. Participants will benefit from exclusive hotel rates, available at https://etincelles.com using the promo code: EBL2024. Guests at these hotels will enjoy complimentary airport shuttles (from/to Lyon/Geneva) and special rates for ski equipment rental.
Registrations for the event should be made on the http://winterbridge.org website. The entry fee is €400 per player, but EBL offers an exceptional deal for amateur players. Teams comprised entirely of players without EBL or WBF titles are eligible for a 75% discount, reducing their fee to only €100 per player. The deadline for registration is April 12, 2024.
