2008 Hermosillo, Mexico

Zara Glover of England tops the leader board after the first six games for the women at the 44th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermsillo, Mexico. She is on 1424, 44 ahead of Jasmine Yeong-Nathan of Singapore with Finland’s Krista Pollanen in third place on 1373.

Sara Vargas of Colombia (photo by Heroshi Noda)

Zara hit two 278 games in her block and said afterwards: “In the middle three games my timing went off so I had to try to get it back and it really worked with two good games to follow.

“This is my first time at the Bowling World Cup and I am so excited to be here. Everyone has told me what a great tournament it is and I have come second in our qualifying twice. I have been trying to get through to the World Cup for 10 years so to be on top is especially thrilling for me, even if it is only after six games.”
 

Zara was not the only star. Sara Vargas of Columbia thrilled the big crowd when she hit the magic 300, becoming the 7th woman to roll a perfect game in the history of the Bowling World Cup.

Sara was only able to play in the tournament as the original winner of the Columbian qualifying was unable to come. Sara commented: “I am so lucky to be here and I am so grateful for the chance to play. And then to bowl a 300! I can just imagine my parents’ faces when they look on the internet!

“I’ve been working in Saudi Arabia for two years, coaching the children so although I have not bowled many games myself, my game has actually been improving. I did wonder about my mental game, but I guess it’s OK!”

As with the men, the women will play four blocks of six games before the top 24 will go forward to the next round. At present, the cut is a 197.6 average with Beatrix Pesek of Hungary in the key 24th place. Nina Burmistrova of the Ukraine is in 25th place, five pins off the cut.