Barwa bank challenger 2012

Things you learn On the way to Qatar:
- small British airways planes have very prolaps friendly seats
- all british airways planes fly with a norwegian flag on the back :D

Things you learn in Qatar:
- These People have MOOOoOonnneyyyy... There are two types of People here, those who have money and build very Nice stuff, and those who clean all the stuff that THE rich people built. And THE cleaners use à lot of time cleaning. Constantly. Wicht is nice, sine everything is always Nice and clean offcourse.

This is my first time away from my comfort zone in central europe and it is a small adjustment that has to be made as i am facing à completely different culture. Although they are very international here it is still mainly a muslim country where you see that everything is very seperated when it comes to male and female activities, and naturally the men gets the better piece of the pai in these situations. Some of it really gets to me but i should not speak to loudly about some of the things i see as it has been tradition for many years, and i am indeed an outsider. Interesting, for sure :)

They have put in a lot of funds in squash here as well as other sports. They are hosting the FIFA world cups here as well as major WTA tournaments and the world junior squash championships this year. They have Geoff Hunt and Stewart Boswell as the local coaches. That is not a bad start.

This challenger 5 tournament is played at the khalifa international squash and tennis complex.

I had to start from the bottom again arguing my way through 2 qualifying rounds before i can play the main draw. In the first match i played a local player and got through comfortably 11-3,11-4,11-0.

Lunch: 13.50 at Benningans:
Kindly ordered from the starters menu quesedillas, and pasta w chicken as main course.
Only to find out that the starters consisted of 8 big Quesedillas w dip and salad. Finally people that understand me. This meal was, however enough for me for the rest of the day :P


Second round quallies was versus the second seed, jonathan geekie from scotland. I continued with good length and width, and the rest went by itself. I felt like i played a good match. I won 3-1

The next day i faced a young welshman by the name of david haley. From my side it was the complete opposite from the day before. If i was focused sharp hitting well on day one, i was slow as a snail, dull as a spanish labourer, and not with the right mindset at all. I lost 3-1 and i have only myself to blame for not performing. Massively disappointed with the waste of a great opportrunity that will not come around again for a while. I think i took to lightly on the task. In norwegian we say: " hovmod står for fall" which translates into something like " being cocky will get your ass whopped" or something along those lines.

Lunch at Benningans 14.30:
Trying the starters menu again sitting at my usual table. Not that hungry this time, but I still want a startet. How about nachos!? And a steak with baked potato with a coke since I lost. Something to cheer me up. I got the same weird look from the waitor as the day before, as if I am joking....
Apparently there must be some mistake with language or my eyes. This time as well the "starter" is 3 times the size of the huse hard rock cafe nachos, and with 4 times as much cheese. I finished it. I finished my steak too. I had no dessert... I wish Will John was there with me. I was full...and the coke didnt make me feel better :(

Thanks to the norwegian squash federation for the support, housing at ekatarina sandakova and juliane boljahn, and my roller/ipad//gatorade sponsor Cigany Leffie Sillevis ;)

Back the Bid 2020

Squash is once again on the shortlist for the Olympics, this time for the 2020 summer olympics.
We are promoting harder than ever to get our great sport into the Olympics and we need everyone to take a stand. Go to the homepage : http://squash2020.com/
and show your support.

Looking at all demands of the athletes, the mobility of the venues, the heart of the supporters, the internationality of the sport, the traditions and the soul, it is the most natural sport to include in an Olympic program.

Asics Progressive 2012/2013 Squash shoe

Check out the "Kim Killingberg 2012 Asics squash shoe"

I have been working with Robert van Til from Asics Benelux to develop the 2012/2013 Asics squash shoe.
The final model is now done and ready for the marked and I can say that this is a VERY GOOD squash shoe.
It is naturally my favourite.
It differs from the popular Asics Gel Blade shoe in that it is more stable, a little heavier, better cushion in the heel and with improved toe protection and grip.

I am very satisfyed with the product and owe a great thanks to Robert, his team and Asics for letting me partake in this process that has been mostly enjoyable.

you will not be disappointed of this shoe on the squash court.

To answer the question below, Robert supplied me with pictures and information regarding colours and release date. Here are the other colours:

The Gel progressive will be launched this summer in stores all over Europe :)))

A homemade australian

What does professional squashplayers do when not training?.... Get lost between the Håkki shelf and the Balder bed at IKEA. What help is necessary to find the exit? An Australian actually. In this case a homemade Australian with Greek topping by the name of Steve Finitsis.

Steve "The Boss from Aus" Finitsis is also a professional squashplayer based in Amsterdam like myself.
He is currently in the top100 in the world and aiming higher.

How to get there? By eating ICE CREAM!!!

Check out his homepage at the right hand menu, www.stevefinitsis.com