Turning the clock back on Gstaad

2016-07-03 20:18:00 CET

Turning the clock back on Gstaad

A look-back at last year’s Gstaad Major

Larissa/Talita are gunning for back-to-back gold. Photocredit: Samo Vidic

The mountain air and alpine scenery inspired the Brazilians to glory at the Gstaad Major last year – but will it have the same effect on them this year?

Twelve months ago the gold medals were claimed by two teams from the House of Beach Volleyball, with Alison/Bruno in imperious form in the men’s competition and Larissa/Talita beating all before them in the women’s rounds.

The biggest story of the week was actually a sad one: the forfeit of American superstars Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross in the bronze medal match. That handed third place to Poreč Major silver medalists Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley. Kerri had previously bravely battled through an incredible quarterfinal victory despite suffering a shoulder injury – she’s back this year and will be all out to claim precious metal in the mountains.

Larissa/Talita were in red hot form throughout the tournament and fellow Brazilians Taiana Lima and Fernanda Alves had no answer as the Swatch World Tour Finals champions annihilated them 21-13, 21-17.

The men’s final was a tighter and more tense affair as Alison/Bruno took on Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins. The Latvians lost the first set but drew level by winning the second but they could not hold out against the boys from Brazil who won their first Swatch Major Series gold.

Who will triumph this year? Well why don’t you join us on our social media channels to find out!

Can anyone stop Alison/Bruno this year in Gstaad? Photocredit: Samo Vidic.