Bermuda Bowl
Bermuda Bowl is the term for World team championships in contract bridge named after the first edition was held in Bermuda, in 1950.
The event started out as a competition between USA, Europe and Britain. The first edition in 1950 was won by USA. After this, the Bermuda Bowl became a yearly challenge match between the USA and the European Champions. Over time, the format has changed several times, including more and more teams.
Currently the Bermuda Bowl is held every two years with 22 teams participating: 7 from Europe, 3 from North America, 2 from South America, 5 from Asia, 2 from Africa, 1 from Central America and 2 from Oceania. The Venice Cup and Seniors Bowl are held at the same venue in a similar format.
The 2005 event was held in Estoril in Portugal and was won by Italy with USA 1 second and USA 2 third. The winning Italian team was: Norberto Bocchi, Giorgio Duboin, Fulvio Fantoni, Lorenzo Lauria, Claudio Nunes, Alfredo Versace. Non-playing Captain: Maria Teresa Lavazza. Coach: Massimo Ortensi.
Previous competitions:
| Year | Venue | # Teams | Winner | Runner up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Bermuda | 3 | USA | Britain |
| 1951 | Naples | 2 | USA | Italy |
| 1953 | New York | 2 | USA | Sweden |
| 1954 | Monte Carlo | 2 | USA | France |
| 1955 | New York | 2 | Britain | USA |
| 1956 | Paris | 2 | France | USA |
| 1957 | New York | 2 | Italy | USA |
| 1958 | Como | 3 | Italy | Argentina |
| 1959 | Italy | |||
| 1961 | Buenos Aires | 4 | Italy | North America |
| 1962 | New York | 4 | Italy | North America |
| 1963 | St.Vincent, Italy | 4 | Italy | North America |
| 1965 | Buenos Aires | 4 | Italy | North America |
| 1966 | St. Vincent | 5 | Italy | North America |
| 1967 | Miami Beach | 5 | Italy | North America |
| 1969 | Rio de Janeiro | 5 | Italy | Taiwan |
| 1970 | Stockholm | 5 | North America | Taiwan |
| 1971 | Taipei, Chinese Taipei | 6 | USA | France |
| 1973 | Guaraja, Brazil | 6 | Italy | USA |
| 1974 | Venice | 6 | Italy | USA |
| 1975 | Bermuda | Italy | USA | |
| 1976 | Monaco | USA | Italy | |
| 1977 | Manila, Philippines | USA | USA Aces | |
| 1979 | Rio de Janeiro | USA | Italy | |
| 1981 | Port Chester, USA | USA | Pakistan | |
| 1983 | Stockholm | USA | Italy | |
| 1985 | Venice | USA | Austria | |
| 1987 | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | USA | Great Britain | |
| 1989 | Perth, Australia | Brazil | USA | |
| 1991 | Yokohama | Iceland | Poland | |
| 1993 | Santiago, Chile | Netherlands | Norway | |
| 1995 | Beijing | USA | Canada | |
| 1997 | Hammamet, Tunisia | France | USA | |
| 2000 | Bermuda | USA | Brazil | |
| 2001 | Paris | USA II | Norway | |
| 2003 | Monaco | 22 | USA I | Italy |
| 2005 | Estoril, Portugal | 22 | Italy | USA I |
