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GeO T
Name: GeO Tislevoll
Age: 65
Home club: Akarana
When did you first started playing bridge: 12 years old
What/who got you into playing bridge? My parents played but I got really interested when I found out about how tournament bridge works and that it is not only about getting good cards because you are (in tournament bridge) compared with others who have played with the same cards as yourself.
When did you first represent New Zealand in the Open Team? My first time representing NZ was in Bermuda Bowl 2011 in Veldhoven, Netherlands where I played with Michael Ware (I moved to NZ late 2008). Ware and I played regularly for NZ for about 8 years. My partner now is Nick Jacob and we started playing together in 2019.
Greatest success/most memorable tournaments? As a youth player 40+ years ago, to win the European Youth Champs in 1980 was huge. Two years later I played in Salsomaggiore in the European Youth Champs (1982), so I will now go back to Salso to play bridge, 40 years later! Biggest achievement with the NZ team must be when we beat the Netherlands in the 2017 World Champs quarter final and reached the semi-final.
Who is your main competition at the Bermuda Bowl and why? There are about 5-6 teams I would say are the likely gold candidates: USA 1, USA 2, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden. Hard to choose one of them to be the favourite. Behind those teams, something like 10-12 teams will fight for the 2-3 spots that are not occupied by those mentioned teams (8 teams will advance to the quarter finals). New Zealand would be one of those 10-12.
What are the goals of the Bridge Blacks in this competition? To go to the quarter final (top 8) would be a strong result. That is not impossible if we are playing our best game and are lucky, or at least not unlucky. It is realistic, and I believe we will be placed between 7-8 and 13-14 after the Round Robin. If we can reach the QF, who knows...
What are you looking forward to about the event in Salsomaggiore? How do you think this championship will differ from pre-Covid events? I am looking forward to feel that special championship atmosphere and to be able to play against the best players in the World. I also look forward to meet all my bridge friends from all over the World. I think this championship won't differ much from pre-covid events, other than possibly some things like wearing masks etc.
What do you know about Salsomaggiore and the region? Do you have any plans (in addition to playing bridge) whilst in Europe? As already mentioned, I played in Salso in 1982. But as that is four decades ago, the place might have changed. My plan after the Worlds is to go to Norway and visit family and friends.
What are your interests outside of bridge? I play poker. And I like to attend Quiz competitions, not too formal but more like Pub Quiz'es. Other than that I am interested in sport, and I have since I was around 10 years old been very interested in music.
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