Another New Partner, and More Success for Walkenhorst in Germany
Defending Olympic, World, and European Champion Kira Walkenhorst had to find an interim-temporary partner this weekend while her regular temporary partner Leonie Kortzinger played at the World University Championships.
Mol/Sorum Win Gstaad Gold, Norway’s First FIVB Tour Title Since 1998
Norway’s Anders Mol/Christian Sorum took on Spain’s Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira for the Gstaad Major gold on Saturday, but their 21-18, 21-12 victory meant much more than just a piece of hardware.
Top Three Seeds, Defending Champs Laboureur/Sude On To Gstaad Semis
The top three women’s seeds, including two Canadian duos, and defending Gstaad Major champions No. 7 Chantal Laboureur/Julia Sude will battle for a shot at the title on Sunday.
Croatia’s Soccer World Cup Hero Is Also A Beach Volleyball “Star”
Millions of people around the world watched as Ivan Perisic scored the equalizer goal in Croatia’s 2-1 shocking upset of England at the World Cup semis in Russia. His goal changed the tide of the game and allowed Croatia to come out victorious en route to playing its first ever World Cup Final. However, few people know that Perisic has already tried his hand in Beach Volleyball as well.
German Beach Olympian Markus Bockermann Announces Retirement
German Olympian Markus Bockermann has announced that he’ll retire at the end of the year. The 32-year-old player is a two times German champion, as well as the winner of several FIVB World Tour events, including last year’s Olsztyn 4 Stars
Italy, Norway, Spain, USA’s Crabb/Gibb are Gstaad Final Four
The men’s podium at the Gstaad Major will be full of new faces as the last of the previous three years’ medalists fell in the quarterfinals on Friday. Paolo Nicolai/Daniele Lupo (Italy), Anders Mol/Christian Sorum (Norway), Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira (Spain) and Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb (USA) remain.
FIVB Adds World University Champs to World Tour Lineup
The addition of the World University Championships as a 1-star event on the FIVB World Tour means that a minimum of $5000-per-gender is available, as are World Tour ranking points.
Klineman/Ross, Larsen/Stockman Advance to Gstaad Final Eight
The race for the women’s Gstaad Major title is down to eight teams, including Americans Alix Klineman/April Ross and Kelley Larsen/Emily Stockman and two Canadian teams.
Americans Fendrick/Sponcil, Four Austrian Duos Among Vienna Wildcards
With the Gstaad Major under way, the Beach Major Series announced its wildcard entries for the Vienna Major, which will be played July 30 – August 5 on Danube Island.
Top Five Seeds, Klineman/Ross, Larsen/Stockman Win Gstaad Pool Titles
Americans Kelley Larsen/Emily Stockman won their fifth match in Gstaad to claim the Pool G title and a free pass to the second elimination round on Friday. April Ross/Alix Klineman and the top five seeds also claimed pool crowns.
