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Bridge Jacks ready for action
The 17th World Youth Bridge Championships in Wujiang, China start on Wednesday. The Bridge Jacks team of Nik Mitchell, Brad Johnston from Otago and Zachary Yan and Vincent He from Auckland are representing New Zealand in the Junior Teams. Meet Nik through his interview with NZB prior to departure:
INTERVIEW WITH NIK MITCHELL BRIDGE JACK
Nik is 22 years old and currently studying for a Masters in physics at Otago University.
Q How long have you been playing bridge?
A 5-6 years
Q What got you into the game in the first place?
A I had a friend and his mum played bridge and he needed someone to learn with. So I picked it up with someone I knew.
Q How many years have you been representing NZ?
A I have only taken part in the annual tests against Australia. This is my first big international overseas event.
Q Have you been to location China before?
A Never visited before. I do have a very little bit of Chinese.
Q Which system do you play?
A 2 over 1
Q How many boards will you be playing in each session?
A I’m not sure at moment. In Australia on some days we play 70 boards a day.
Q Where were you born?
A Wellington
Q Where was your schooling?
A I was two years at Belmont Primary School, and then went island hopping for 10 years. Norfolk Island, then Niue and Christmas Island before moving to Dunedin. My dad’s a GP. I really enjoyed life on the islands – fantastic weather, very, very friendly people most of the time and interesting to be around different cultures. My last couple of years of schooling was in Dunedin where I met my bridge partner Bradley Johnston, at John McGlashan School.
Q What is your top tip for the club player?
A Always pay attention, even when you don’t have that interesting a hand. Figure out if there is any way of defeating the contract. Or if you are in what seems an easy contract – think - is there any way it could go wrong?
Nik said, “I’m extremely grateful for all the support we get and we really feel everyone is behind us. People are so keen to help younger people extend their game and their ability. Thank you”
Nik’s favourite vegetable is the cucumber and he has to think about his star sign. He decided Virgo – but he may be on the cusp!
Good Luck to Nik and the Bridge Jacks team - we hope to provide daily overnight reports and will post any BBO scheduled appearances on the NZB facebook page as we are notified.
They face Canada in their opening match. More information via this link:http://championships.worldbridge.org/suzhouwytc17
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