Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A few weeks ago we informed readers that Christine Barker and Heidi Atkinson had won a national bridge competition which entitled them to take part in the 31st Worldwide Bridge Contest in Beijing. 

After three weeks away they are back with lots of stories of the prestigious tournament and the once-in-a-lifetime travels across China.

Hongkong to Shanghai; the Maglev bullet train (431km/h), the Yangtze river cruise, Guilin and Yangshuo, Xi’an and the awesome terra-cotta warriors, the five-hour fast train (331km/h) journey to Beijing, the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square outside the Forbidden City.

And the bridge? "It was something else," said Atkinson. "It was organised by the World Bridge Federation together with the Chinese Bridge Federation. 

"We felt very special and privileged to be part of this prestigious contest. 

"After the grand opening ceremony and dinner we had to knuckle down to work – yes, it was hard work!

"We were sitting in our own ‘cubicle’ with a computer in front of us. The bidding and playing cards were displayed on the screen and we had to use the mouse to bid and play. 

"We were only allowed to play a particular system which we do not use in Knysna. We could not see each other nor our competitors during play. They were top players from 16 countries. 

"We played for three days up to seven hours a day with only short breaks," Atkinson said.

"So yes, it was a big challenge for us, both physically and intellectually. But for two players who were not regular partners in Knysna, we did very well. We took the bull by the horn and made the best of it under these circumstances. 

"And we had great fun; it is a game after all." – Supplied

For more information about bridge in Knysna contact Atkinson, who is the president of the Southern Cape Bridge Union, at 082 776 0238 or email heidi@hidealoerie.co.za.

Read a previous article: Knysna bridge girls back from China

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