Michael Schmidt of Canada stormed into the lead after the first session of bowling in the 41st QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Michael, who is 25 and comes from Winnipeg, Manitoba, shot 1413 over the first six games (an average of 235.5) to be ahead of Arnar Saegbergsson of Iceland in second on 1379 and Dominic Lim Zhong of Singapore in third on 1365. Last year's runner-up, Petter Hansen of Norway, is lying in fourth place.

'We have so many good bowlers in Canada,' said Michael, 'that just making the team is tough. I had to beat Jack Guay, our representative last year and the first guy to shoot a perfect game in the Bowling World Cup, to win this trip. Now I just hope to build on this foundation and see how far I can go in the tournament.'

That was not the only excitement at the Gladiator Bowling Centre. England's Steve Thornton shot a perfect game to the delight of the large crowd watching.

'I thought it might be possible from about the fourth frame,' siad Steve. I liked the shape of the ball and felt it was coming off my hand really well, and the last three strikes in the 10th were absolutely flush.'

Steve was presented with a pin from the deck and will win the trophy for high game of the tournament.

The first six games in the women's section will start at 1400 local time.