Jurica Carić awarded by the Croatian Olympic Committee

The Croatian Olympic Committee annually announces the best Croatian athletes in individual, pair and team competitions for men and women and gives the “Marija Ljubek” award for life’s work to prominent athletes and officials. This year, the award went to Zlatko Žagmeštar, the 1966 world - best handball player, and Morana Paliković Gruden, president of the Croatian ice skating federation for 20 years and deputy president of the Croatian Olympic committee. Bridge player Jurica Carić won the award for the first time, mainly for being almost continuously a member of the Croatian open team for 58 years. The Croatian Prime Minister presented the award, congratulating only Carić individually. A Gala dinner for nearly 400 guests followed the ceremony.

The WBF Online Women’s Teams

The WBF Online Women’s Teams played from 3 – 5 January 2025 ended on 6th January 2025. Congratulations to the winning teams: 1st PARIS ET BORDEAUX with 193.63 points, 2nd ISTANBUL with 186.62 points, 3rd ALPERT with 185.23 points. Link to results: https://realbridge.online/wbf-women-2025-ranking-list.html, final bulletin: http://championships.worldbridge.org/owt25-files/Bul_04.pdf, all bulletins: http://db.worldbridge.org/Repository/tourn/womenonline.25/microSite/B

2nd World Online Women’s Teams

The 2nd WBF Online Women’s teams will take place on January 3 - 5, 2025, on RealBridge, following the successful 2024 inaugural event. It will be a transnational event with teams of up to 8 players. The event offers competition without travel or accommodation costs, positive online interaction between teams, and playing conditions similar to face - to - face competition using screens and championship play protocols.

World Bridge Tour – updates

The NABC in Toronto is finished, bringing many ranking changes in the World Bridge Tour. Israeli youngsters Oren Toledano & Ami Zamir top the rankings, moving up from 9th after winning the Roth Swiss Teams and the Life Master Pairs. Kevin Bathurst & John Hurd are close behind, moving up from 6th and overtaking previous co - leaders. Jacek Kalita & Michal Klukowski, Sjoert Brink & Bas Drijver, and Joe Grue & Brad Moss now share 3rd place. Sabine Auken & Roy Welland are in 6th. The Chairmans Cup Teams in Sweden is also concluded. Mikael & Ola Rimstedt moved from 21st to 14th due to their win but got only half of the winning TRP as they couldn't return early. With eleven events left, the season's finish is exciting as many world - class partnerships can still enter the top 16.