Carom
He finished the year with a victory in the Kersttoernooi in Zundert, it was his thirteenth title this year after twenty titles in 2009. Frédéric Caudron again was one of the undisputed top players in the past year. He was dethroned by Dick Jaspers as the number one in the world, the Dutchman who also grabbed the overall win in the World Cup with Caudron as the second in the ranking. But the Belgian again shone his super class with high averages and victories throughout Europe.
The World Cup in Matosinhos, the European Cup with his team of Agipi and his victories in the Belgium Cup with the 2.111 average, the Kersttoernooi with 2.097 (improving the record of Torbjörn Blomdahl) and the VES tournament in St. Niklaas with an average of 2.222 were the highlights.
Was it just a year with highlights?
Frédéric Caudron: I am satisfied with this palmares, I feel fine, I only had a lesser period around the World championship in Sluiskil, that's why I lost some important points for the ranking. My last tournaments, with high averages, however give me a lot of confidence for the new year.'
You start the year next week with the Belgian championships in all disciplines. You have two titles to defend there. What disciplines do you play?
FC: I play five of them this year, only the free game I do not play anymore.
There's only one week to prepare and switch after the three-cushion Kersttoernooi to the balklines and one cushion. How can you do that in one week?
FC: (laughing) That's my secret, but I have showed in all those years that I usually succeed in switching very quickly.
The Kersttoernooi actually was a demonstration of power and class. Eddy Merckx had not any chance in the semifinal, Roland Forthomme neither in the final match.
FC: I felt from the beginning of the tournament that my form was there, I felt very good in al my matches. And most of the time I took a quick lead on all my opponents. Also against Roland Forthomme, who made a lot of high runs in this turnament. I saw him as a dangerous competitor.'
This Kersttoernooi is your tournament it seems. You won it for the eight time now, with a record average. And you never lost a final match.?
FC: I'm not a man of statistics, but if it is like that, then it is a great serie here in Zundert.
The Belgian championship, then the World Cup in Turkey, the qualifying round in the Agipi Masters in a group with Nikos Polychronopoulos, Torbjörn Blomdahl, Eddy Merckx and Haeng Jik Kim: that's a nice start of the year?
FC: Yes, it looks good with the calendar for the new year. I'm looking forward to it. The top players are still developing, and competition is greater. That is very good for three-cushion around the world.''
Thank you, Frédéric, we wish you a happy newyear.
FC: Thank you too, thanks and a happy newyear to all the people who love billiards.