The comeback of Ionela

The lead passed from hand to hand, 7 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Luis took last place without any nerves at all, on 43 points. The table was Luis's after the last of the opening eights; the second half had other ideas. In the first of the closing eights, Luis bid 1 and took 6 — and Elena and Laura went down with them. Luis cried laughing 7 times 😂 — a fun evening, at least on one side of the table.

Elena rounds out the podium with 65 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. Elena was even in front after the three-card hand on the way up.

Laura led for 8 hands but finished second, 2 points behind. Laura swore 0 in the last of the middle eights and took a trick — whist has a sense of humour.

Ionela won with 70 points, by a whisker: just 2 points ahead. It didn't start well — only 3rd after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. And that despite a slip in the very last hand.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!