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Severe Storm Hits Predator Tour Stop
Jan 8, 2010, 9:22 AM

Just east of Barcelona, on the Spanish Mediterranean, Lloret de Mar isn't exactly the first spot on the map you'd associate with severe winter storms. But this weekend, with the Predator World Tour making only its second stop in its debut season, Lloret has been hammered by high winds and unseasonably cold temperatures.

On Thursday evening, winds caused substantial damage to the tournament venue, making play impossible on Friday. Tournament organizers, though, have responded to the unexpected. The Lloret del Mar tournament will be played at the Hotel Gran Guitart Monterrey (the host hotel) until 16 players remain. Those 16 players will then finish the tournament at the Predator Tour's next stop, expected to take place this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To ensure all 16 players will be in attendance at the tour's third stop, promoters have said they will cover those players' travel expenses, including airfare and hotel, for the Rio event.

Thursday night's storm was just the latest in a number of weather-related inconveniences caused by the winter storm that is pounding much of Europe. Earlier in the week, a cadre of British players — including Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes and Daryl Peach — were unable to leave the U.K. due to widespread flight cancellations.

Visit www.predator10ball.com for more information and further updates on the Predator World Tour.