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July 2007:
ASB takes Squash
to Sea
In a groundbreaking innovation made possible by ASB, the world
leader in glass squash courts and AIDA, the German cruise company, squash is reaching new frontiers by taking to the high
seas.
 In
future squash enthusiasts will be able to pursue their favourite
hobby while crossing the ocean on a modern cruise liner.
Currently undertaking her maiden voyage after a spectacular launch
ceremony in Hamburg, the AIDAdiva set sail with a permanent
all-glass, open-air court installed on her top deck, just behind the
funnels.
With all parts specially designed for sea-worthiness, the court,
which features ASB's groundbreaking glass floor, offers spectacular
views of the other sports facilities of the liner, as well as the
ocean, the sky, and any passing landmarks.
The anti-skid floor, mounted on a sprung aluminium base, is just one
aspect of the newly developed court. The large wall panels are made
of safety glass and are elastically fixed to a newly-developed
supporting frame, designed to cope with the extra demands places on
the court by life on the high seas. |
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Voyagers will be able to enjoy their favourite pastime in virtually
all conditions, even, imagine it, by moonlight floating on the ocean
...
The new court was tested by two of Germany's top players, Moritz Dahmen and
Dennis Drenjovski, who both play for European Champions
Sport-Insel Stuttgart, and as you can see from the photos, the court
and setting get the proverbial thumbs-up.
Squash already has some spectacular settings, but it could be that
the world's top players will soon meet in even more exotic
locations:
Gregory Gaultier playing World Champion
David Palmer in front of the palm-lined Scilly Islands, Thierry Lincou
against Amr Shabana just next to Norway's breathtaking west coast,
Ramy Ashour playing James Willstrop with the Statue of Liberty
looking on ...
The sea-going court is just one of many innovations that have
originated from ASB, who even now have projects under way in Philadelphia (USA), Cape Town (South
Africa), Warsaw (Poland), Six Fours (South of France), Otrokovice
(Czech Republic), Cyprus and a major project in Kuwait.
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The AIDA
Class of Four
There will soon be four AIDA cruise ships with an ASB GlassCourt.
For the second
cruise ship, the AIDAbella, the traditional lucky cent was laid
under the first of a total of 55 building blocks in the beginning of
May.
Each of the four AIDA cruise ships is 252 metres long and 32
metres wide and 2,050 passengers can be accommodated in 1,025 cabins.
Four diesel engines produce 50,000 BHP, and the cruiser can reach
speeds of up to 22 knots.
Squash on the Titanic |
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Article from SquashTime Magazine |
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