World Stringing Champs Next Week at Tennis Channel Open

Think you can string a racquet fast? Think again, or put your money where your mouth is.

Next week's The Tennis Channel Open presented by Panasonic will feature the World Stringing Championships sponsored by Wilson, a competition where tennis enthusiasts will compete against each other to record the fastest time stringing a tennis racquet, competing for prizes and/or prize money.

The competition will start at noon on Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 5 at the tournament site, the Darling Memorial Tennis Center at Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Participants can register online for $20, or at the site for $30 (registration fee does not include the price of admission).

Rules for the 2006 Wilson World Stringing Championships:

1. All contestants will compete individually and will install a set of Wilson Reaction 16 string from a package (not a reel) at 55 pounds in a Wilson nSix One 95 frame with a 16x18 pattern on a constant-pull electronic machine with linear tensioning, 6-point mounting, and dual-action swivel clamps supplied by Wilson (and you thought you could just show up and wing it!).

2. Each contestant will be supplied with a pair of diagonal cutters, a pair of needle-nosed pliers, one awl, and one starting clamp. However, contestants may choose to use their own tools. Wear them around your belt to intimidate fellow competitors!

3. During the timed competition each contestant will mount the frame, open a package of string, install the string in the frame, trim knot tails, and un-mount the frame and place the frame on a table to stop the clock. No grommets will need to be replaced. Keep it clean, Bud!

4. All contestants will be given 15 minutes before timed competition to practice mounting the frame on the machine, adjust the height of the machine, adjust clamp pressure and set tension. Like Bode Miller, you can blow off this practice period to further intimidate opponents.

5. Contestants may use 1-piece or 2-piece stringing at their own discretion (but no pre-strung cut-outs that you glue to the frame).

6. Contestant will be disqualified if their finished frame has any mis-weaves, any holes left empty, any mains or crosses installed in the wrong holes, any knots that are not secured, or any complete crossovers at the head of frame. Contestants will also be disqualified for any sponsor logos larger than 1-3/4 inch long.

7. Contestants will also be disqualified if they fail to tension and clamp every string individually. Or try to replace their frame with a pre-strung racquet when no one is looking.

8. Because this is a timed event, string straightening will not be required and notching of mains will not be penalized. Just turn and burn!

The winner will be announced to the world in a press release Sunday, and promptly taken to a waiting EMT vehicle for treatment of finger burns.