Qualification is in full swing at the Storm 4th No Urethane Open in Lahti, Finland, as players continue to battle for positions in the next stage of the tournament.
From more than 220 players registered for this year’s event, only 40 will advance to the finals on Sunday.
As the tournament name implies, the event stands out with its unique rule – urethane bowling balls are not allowed. Every first shot must be thrown with a reactive ball, forcing players to rely on ball motion, lane reading, and adjustments as conditions change.
The tournament begins with six-game qualification squads, with unlimited re-entries available.
After the first eight squads, Roni Leskinen leads the field with a strong 1459 total over six games. Close behind is Aatu Tapanimäki with 1454, followed by Juhani Tonteri in third place with 1428. Last year’s champion Joonas Jähi sits fourth with 1383, while Jarno Lahti rounds out the top five with 1378.
Rami Mukkula holds sixth place with 1376, just ahead of Henry Laine in seventh with 1375. Kaaron Salomaa is eighth with 1367, Nooa Vilokkinen is ninth with 1365, and Timo Alho completes the current top 10 with 1363.
With multiple squads still to come, the standings remain open, and scores continue to rise as players adapt to the demanding lane conditions.
The Storm 4th No Urethane Open features a €40,000 prize fund, with €8,000 awarded to the winner.
Oil Pattern
This year’s oil pattern measures 41 feet with a 2:1 ratio and a total volume of 29.25 mL. Organizers aim for a medium scoring pace, using Kegel ICE conditioner to create less friction at the front and more carrydown as play progresses.
Exclusive Seminars with Matt McNiel
In addition to the tournament action, Matt McNiel - Storm International Technical Director and 4-time USBC Open Championships titlist - will be hosting two awesome seminars.
On Thursday, April 23rd at 18:30, he'll cover "How to navigate in urethane traffic," and on Friday, April 24th at 18:30, he'll dive into "Champions mindset, deeper in to mental game."
Each seminar costs 150 €, and as a massive bonus, every single participant will walk away with a brand new Roto Grip Gremlin Tour-X included!
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