Wilmington 2016

The Can-Am Cup is a biennial doubles squash competition between the United States and Canada, and is usually referred to as the “Ryder Cup of Squash”. The Top 60 doubles players from each country will be converging on Wilmington, Delaware to compete for the Can-AM Cup. The best two teams in each age group, which includes, Open, 40+,45+,50+,55+,60+,65+,70+, and 75+ for men and women play three matches each. It is a remarkable tournament that has the excitement of a very close “Ryder Cup”, and makes for a very memorable experience.  Plenty of National flag waving and patriotism with terrific competition and camaraderie. This will be the 5^th edition of this competitive rivalry. The men play for the Bernheimer-Bell Trophy and the women play for the Gillen-Pierce Trophy. The overall winners win the Can-AM Cup. USA was victorious in 2008 in the first running of the event in Boston. In Toronto, Ont. (2010), USA edged out Canada in the overall score despite the US men losing their division. In 2012, Canada won by just 3 points in Buffalo, NY (a snow storm sent some Americans scrambling to get back state side on Saturday night), and in Montreal, the USA reclaimed the cup in 2014. Now on October 28-30, 2016, the player representation from both countries looks to be shaping up for a real barn burner of a tournament in Wilmington, DE.

Each countries respective Captains select team members based upon a player/teams ranking by US Squash and Squash Canada.  Those players who win the US National Doubles Tournament as well as those players ranked #1 in their respective age group on their respective walls are automatically invited to play. Each team selected for the event shall play two matches as well as a lightning round match. This years Canadian Captain is Chris Wheeler, and his Vice Captains are Pat Richardson and Al Hunt as well as women’s Vice Captains Stephanie Hewitt and Cathy Covernton.  USA Captains are Mike McGorry, Len Bernheimer and Morris Clothier.  USA Women’s Captains are Molly Pierce, Lee Belknap and Emily Lungstrum.

Can-Am Cup Scoring

Lightning Round

Within groups, teams are randomly selected to play one game against each other. Scoring: 0.5 points per game. 15 Points Total

Round 2

Each division will pit the #1 team of one country against the #2 of the opposite country, and the #2’s versus the #1’s in best of five matches. Scoring: 1.0 points per match. 30 Points Total.

Round 3

Each division will play their #1 team against the #1 team of the opposite country and the #2 against the #2 in best of five matches. Scoring: 1.5 points per match. 45 Points Total.

A total of 90 points is possible, the first team to score 45.5 points wins the Can-Am Cup.

54 Total/27.5 Wins for Men; 36/18.5 Wins for women.