CLEMENS SLAMS PDC DARTBOARDS

GABRIEL CLEMENS has slammed the PDC’s new dartboards as an “absolute disaster” on the oche.

The Winmau Blade 360 has been used at floor events, while the Winmau Blade X features at televised tournaments. 

But for Clemens the biggest concern is the number of bounce-outs, which have become increasingly noticeable in recent competitions. 

The issue came into sharp focus at the recent UK Open, where players were repeatedly punished by darts failing to stick. 

One flashpoint involved Jimmy van Schie, who saw a crucial dart spring out of the bull while attempting a 130 checkout. 

Clemens did not hold back when discussing the problem on the Darts auf die 1 podcast. 

He said: “An absolute disaster. You still got the odd bouncer now and then. Overall, I thought: A lot of bouncers this weekend [in Minehead]. 

“Jimmy van Schie could sing you a song about that. I was just walking into the hall when he came storming out. 

“Chizzy is also a huge fan, by the way. I saw that match—every dart of his just drooped.” 

World No.45 Clemens cruised into the fifth round of the UK Open, producing a stunning 145 checkout to seal victory over Richard Veenstra.

But ‘The German Giant’ was then thrashed 10–2 by James Wade and hit out at the conditions in Butlin’s afterwards. 

He added: “At some point I just got annoyed, I have to say. With myself, with the stage, with pretty much everything. I was unhappy with the overall situation.  

“The stage was wobbling… it wasn’t nice anymore—everything on that thing was shaking. 

“In fact, stages 3 to 8 are now in a different hall—and judging by the smell, that’s usually where ponies walk around. 

“Some overhead lighting wouldn’t have hurt. I found it really very dark, and every player I spoke to also thought it was very dark.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.