Christian Bakke was born on November 21st 1995 in Bergen. Both his parents are high level bridge players. He has three brothers. He completed his high school studies at Fana Gymnasiuman in his hometown. He is currently studying mathematics and physics at the University of Bergen.
Christian learned to play at home and gradually gave up the other sports he practiced with his brothers to devote himself more and more to bridge.
At a youth level he won over several national titles, a silver (2015) and a bronze (2017) in the Transnational Swiss Teams, a bronze in the Damiani Trophy (2014), a gold in the European Mixed Pairs (2018), a silver in the Transnational BAM Teams (2017), a bronze in the David Pigot (2015).
In 2017 he won the Joan Gerard award that the WBF gives to the player who shows the best sporting spirit of each championship and in 2019 he won the Jacoby and the BAM Open Teams in the World Youth Open Championships. in 2022 Bakke added a Bermuda Bowl bronze to his trophy cabinet.
Erik Berg is a Norwegian international who has represented his country both as a junior and in the open class. He is a multiple Norwegian champion and has won the European Winter Games with Peter Crouch as his partner.
Outside of bridge, Erik works full-time as a food safety consultant. Otherwise, family comes first, and much of his time is spent playing with his son, who is soon turning one.
Simon Gillis is an Investment Manager, and sits on the finance committee of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. He has a wife, two children, lots of wine and no dog. He has three Gold Cup wins on his bridge CV (2024, 2016 and 2010) and has reached the semi-finals on other occasions including 2015. His team won the BAM at the World Championships in Lyon in August 2017. His impressive record also includes winning the Iceland Open twice, the Brighton teams and Deauville. He won the 2021 Shapiro Spring Fours with a team featuring Brogeland and Saelensminde. See Simon’s EBU profile.
Erik Saelensminde is a 61-year old Norwegian bridge professional. He was born and raised in Bergen, a strong Norwegian bridge city. He now divides his time between Thailand and Norway.
Erik played for Norway for years with Boye Brogeland winning Bermuda Bowl in 2007 in Shanghai. He also has a silver and bronze from other Bermuda Bowls.
Erik won the European mixed teams in 2009, has an open European championship and multiple Norwegian Championships. He is a regular on Team Gillis and has contributed to their many successes including winning the BAM in the Lyon World Championships in 2017.
Lederer Trophy 