At the Starting Gate

Open Series

Prediction: None of the so-called experts at the Secretariat pick the defending champion Indonesia as their first choice. They instead predict China and Japan will be slugging it out for the Open title while Australia is expected to sneak in third place.

Day One Summing Up: Indonesia is the clear leader at 48VPs having won both their matches. Both pre-tournament favourites are slow out of the gate with China doing slightly the better having undergoing a losing tie to Chinese Taipei and a win over their potential biggest threat, Japan (20-10).

Ladies Series

Prediction: For a successive seventh time, China is expected to successfully defend their title and again with much aplomb in the Ladies series. Japan will create some waves but in the final reckoning they have to content themselves with the silver. A test of endurance between Indonesia and Australia will decide the bronze.

Day One Summing Up: The New Zealand ladies shot out of the gates and scored two convincing wins yesterday to enjoy a 4VP margin over China and Japan. Japan suffered a surprising loss to China Hong Kong while China managed two small wins against strong opponents, Australia (17-13) and Indonesia (20-10).

Youth Series

Prediction: The Indonesian youths too should successfully defend their title but it will take some doing this time; battle for the minor placings will come from Australia, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

Day One Summing Up: Indonesia managed to stay a short-head clear of a surprising Singapore by just 1VP. By virtue of their bye, Japan is tied with Singapore having scored 22-8 against Australia.

Senior Series

Prediction: With the majority of teams in the Senior Series (5 out of 14) stemming from Japan, it is odds-on Japan will retain her crown.

Day One Summing Up: Even with its impressive entourage, Japan best position after Day One is only sixth by the Yamada team. Even without the likes of Sacul, Lasut, and the late arriving Ferdie Waluyan, Indonesia has jumped to a fairly comfortable lead over Australia (4 VPs). Meanwhile Australia took their two wins at the expense of two Japanese teams.