24-May-04:
For
you realsquash maniacs!
Oh come on, you have to be mad, or passionate about squash, or really bored, to read an article whose headline shows some old player you never heard of, in a foreign country, receiving a medal!
A long way from Qatar or Broadgate, aren’t we? But just as I covered the Masters in Nottingham, I believe that the unknown deserve recognition… Believe me, they work as hard, and they sweat as much as the top boys…
In an article published in Planete Squash, Mr Xavier Chiloux, ex French Federation President and 40+ French Champion, declared: “As far as I’m concerned, the French Masters is the real annual fiesta of French Squash.”
In view of the photos, I second that view, and I only wish my knee would let me participate in events of this kind, as I’m now allowed to play, being over …
Oh well, I can still report about it, can’t I…?
VERSION
FRANÇAISE
from Royan ...
It
was in the Royan Squash Club, owned by Thierry Maingot (FFSR)
that the French National Masters took place on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd May
2004, with Franck Dugas as the master organiser. 400 competitors (ladies and gentlemen) played some fierce matches in this beautiful, warm and convivial municipal squash club.
Since the last World Masters in Helsinki in August 2003 were quite well publicised, a few famous names of French Squash participated in this event, such as:
John Elstob (6 times French National Champion….), Richard Pons (Aix en Provence), Robert Bonnabesse (La Rochelle), Nathalie Cornet (Ladies French National Coach).
Not to mention of course all of the winners of last year’s event.
I’m not going to talk about the results of all the categories. No, I would like (with your permission of course) to talk about the traditional party on the Saturday night that rewards the winners of course, but especially the 'deans' of the competition.
Michel Dutin, 75, who had a triple bypass last year, was back in action. But was he going to retain his title?
In the women event, our dean is Mrs Danielle Maffre, 61, in the 60+ event, was showing fitness and allure that a lot of young 40 year-olds could (and do) envy.
In
the men's competition, the 70+ event was won by Roland Sassus (71),
who seized Michel Dutin’s title after a 5 game match that will stay in
the memory of all the spectators, but the amazing Dutin remained the life
and soul of the party. Michel’s arrival on the podium was saluted by a raising of all the participant's racquets.
In
his speech, Roland Sassus, who plays in the Marseille club, gave a
moving homage to Nicolas Siri, the young French Squash player who died
suddenly last year, whose name was given to last week's tournament in
Marseille. But the evening wasn’t over yet. Our President Mr Jacques Fontaine was extremely complimentary about the organisation of the event, as was our ex President Xavier Chilloux.
And the pinnacle of the evening was when our Thierry Lincou (Titi for all in France) presented the trophies to the 3 deans.
André Nagar (82), Michel Dutin (75) and Roland Sassus (71) Steve 3, 2, 1 on the podium.
As I’m the spokesman for the French Delegation for the next World Championship in Edmonton in Canada, Mr Naggar offered his racquet and legs to increase the chances of the French Team for the next World Championships. Cheeky!
It was a beautiful event indeed, full of laughs and emotion
Can’t wait for next year …
An ovation for Michel Dutin
