After months of waiting the FIR World Tour finally returns in September with the IWT Finnish Open.
The tournament is taking place at Smash Centre, Helsinki on the 18th-20th September and is open to players of all ages and abilities.
After such a long break it seems only right that the racketlon community starts by returning home to Finland, where the sport began.
Tournament Information
With all tournaments cancelled since February’s Luxembourg Open, the IWT Finnish Open marks the long-awaited return of the FIR World Tour.
The tournament will begin on Friday 18th September, with the first doubles matches beginning at 12:00 local time. The prize-giving ceremony is on Sunday at approximately 16:00 local time.
The tournament is, once again, being hosted at Smash Center in Finland’s capital, Helsinki. The venue has a rich history of hosting racketlon tournaments.
Players are able to enter two doubles classes (one regular and one mixed) and two singles classes (one men/women and one seniors/juniors).
Entry to the tournament is open until Monday 7th September, with all players encouraged to enter as soon as possible to help tournament directors.
The entry fee is € 55 in all classes, with entry to a second category at € 40. Entry fee for doubles is € 20 per player. All players also need a € 15 FIR License Fee in order to compete.
Accommodation and Travel
As it stands, there is one tournament hotel for the IWT Finnish Open, the 1. Hotel Rantapuisto. With breakfast and wifi included a standard single room in this hotel is €104.00 a night while a double room is €114.00 a night. A deluxe room is €119.00 a night for a single room and €129.00 for a double room.
To book a room at this hotel, head to www.rantapuisto.fi and use the Group Attendee code “Racketlon2020”. There is no “last day” for booking but early bookings are recommended.
A second hotel is to be confirmed at a later today, as well as a possible tournament shuttle.
Helsinki is the nearest airport with direct flights from around Europe and the rest of the world. Tournament director Poku Salo has issued the following statement regarding travelling and booking flights in the current time.
“Finland is slowly opening up and already allows travel from many European countries. We are, anyway, strongly advising you to check with your country’s travel restrictions before booking your flight. The latest news on travel to Finland is available here.”
2019 Tournament
The 2019 IWT Finnish Open was a historic one for Luka Penttinen, with the former junior World No.1 picking up his first elite singles title. There was also success for Sweden’s Anna-Klara Ahlmer, as she defended her women’s elite singles title at the tournament.
Last year saw over 60 players competing with other winners including Joel Pennanen, Henrik Mustonen, Anna Wall, Kevin Ho Ching Ng and Piers Boden.
Could you be one of the champions at the 2020 IWT Finnish Open?
The full 2019 tournament report is available here.
The tournament is open for entry to players of all ages and abilities here.
Players interested in entering are encouraged to do so as early as possible. However, it is worth reminding you that it is possible to withdraw at any time before Monday 7th September – especially should the situation regarding overseas travel change in your country.
More information about the tournament is available here.
Sam Barker / FIR Media Officer
