4.-6.3.2011, Vantaa

 Friday evening of Finnish Open was traditionally filled with blind draw pairs. I skipped this one, and just had rest at home. But my club-mate Reijo Oksanen did very well in that one

Blind draw pairs (96 players)
1. Jani Haavisto - Wesley Harms, Casablanca/Netherlands
2. Marko Luoto - Reijo Oksanen, Sörkan Tikka/MPD
3.-4. Sami Sanssi-Teemu Harju, Päkki Darts/Casablanca ja Teuvo Haverinen-Peter Selenius, Willy´s DC/Madhouse DC
 

 

 Saturday was the day for the singles, and to see if the seedings made any sense  The day started with 301 DI-DO. This was bit like a warm-up competition for me, i won two games and was joint 5th.

  

Women's 301-singles (32 entries)

1. Tarja Salminen, Willys DC

2. Anna Forsmark, Sweden

3.-4. Paula Santapakka, Willy's DC; Elina Alponen, Casablanca

5.-8. Aliisa Koskivirta, Päkki Darts; Sari Nikula, Perämeri DC; Maret Liiri, MPD; Floortje van Zanten, Holland

 

Men's 301-singles (122 entries)

1. Wesley Harms, Holland

2. Dave Place, England

3.-4. Alan Norris, England; Jari Nieminen, Päkki Darts

5.-8. Tarmo Tolvanen, DC Steissi; Steve Douglas, England; Ville Petäjämäki, Samuli Blues; Juha Koutonen, Päkki Darts

 

 The main event, 501 singles, started in the afternoon. So, it really was important to pay attention for not running out of energy before the games were over.  You cannot eat heavy lunch just before the games, if you want to be still awake while playing. But you do need to eat something. Quite of a balancing: to eat enough but not too much.

  

Women's Singles (55 entries)

1. Anna Forsmark, Sweden

2. Maud Jansson, Sweden

3.-4. Maret Liiri, MPD; Kirsi Viinikainen, Sörkan Tikka

5.-8. Lumi Silvan, Sörkan Tikka; Sari Nikula, Perämeri DC; Kaisu Rekinen, DC Kontula; Tarja Salminen, Willy's DC

... only 2 of the seeded players did not reach the last 8!

 

Men's Singles (229 entries)

1. Paul Jennings, England

2. Sami Sanssi, Päkki Darts

3.-4. Clive Barden, England; Petri Korte, Samuli Blues

5.-8. Asko Niskala, Willy's DC; Markus Jokikokko, Haku-Tikka; Markku Kinnunen, Haku-Tikka; Jari Nieminen, Päkki Darts

 

 The doubles were played on Sunday. Success for some players, enjoying the athmosphere for some others.

 

Maret with her trophy from the 501 singles and her pair's partner Liza Pugina.