Entries are coming in for the 43rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in St Petersburg, Russia, and already we know we welcome two returning champions and witness a great competition.

Both the champions from 2005, when the event was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, will be there: Michael Schmidt of Canada and the USA’s Lynda Barnes. They won their respective country’s qualifying tournament and with it their place in this year’s QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup starting line up.

For Michael, it is his third appearance in a row. He followed up his 2005 win with a third place last year in Caracas, Venezuela.

He will face some stiff competition, not least from Achim Grabowski of Germany (6th last year and runner up in 1992 when the tournament was held in Le Mans) and from England’s Paul Moor. Paul, who will be making his fourth appearance in the Bowling World Cup, is currently lying in second place in the European rankings having won this title in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

One champion who will not be there is last year’s winner, Osku Palermaa of Finland. There is no automatic right of entry for reigning champions: each has to win his or her right to return through their own national elimination tournament. This year, it is Petteri Salonen who will represent Finland in the men’s event. Petteri has already won five titles this year as well as picking up a silver medal in the European Championships. The women’s participant will not be determined until late August.

The last two women’s finals have been between the USA and England and this year England’s representative will be the up and coming Jo Allsebrook, who will be looking to post a first win for England since 1995.

Other returning competitors will be Nasheeha King of Mauritius who won the coveted ‘Sportswoman of the Tournament’ award last year, and Patrick Leroy of Morocco who won the ‘Sportsman of the Tournament’ award in Honduras in 2003. Patrick will be making his 11th appearance in the event – just two short of the record of 13, held by Mohammed Khalifa al-Qubaisi of the UAE.

“I am always delighted by the number of players who return to this tournament year after year,” said Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Manager. “This year it will be a special pleasure to welcome Michael, Lynda, Nasheeha and Patrick again, along with bowling friends from all over the world.”

The 43rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup will take place in the 32-lane Continent Bowling Centre, St Petersburg, from November 3rd to 11th 2007.