Cook/Hinchley clinch latest stage on Aussie tour
Melbourne, Australia, February 9, 2012 - Olympic Gold Medallist Natalie Cook and partner Tamsin Hinchley took bragging rights on round four of the Renault Australia National Beach Volleyball Series last Sunday at St Kilda Beach despite vicious Melbourne weather conditions, defeating Olivia Orchard and Stacey Naismith 21-16, 21-13.
Coming off the back of a successful win in round three, Cook and Hinchley did not lose a set throughout the event, dominating the net throughout the weekend.
“The girls performance is clear indication on how they will be handling the next few months leading into qualifying period for the next Olympic games,” said commentator and previous Olympic patner Kerri Pottharst.
Cook is currently in the mix for an unprecedented fifth Olympic Games through the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup and if she and Hinchley can finish in the top three of the final zonal tournament in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand which begins next Thursday, the duo will be just one step from a London 2012 berth. The winners of the Continental Cup will gain an automatic place at the Games.
“Tamsin and I have been working on some new systems in the lead up to the Olympics and the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series this summer has really helped us prepare,” Cook revealed.
In the mens final, fifth seeded Cedric Legrand and Will Mercer picked up a narrow 14-21, 21-18, 15-12 victory over number two seeds Joshua Slack and Chris Mchugh
Both teams remained aggressive despite the rain however Legrand and Mercer took advantage of the vicious conditions serving aggressively into the wind.
“We haven’t made the finals all series so to get to here and win is a fantastic feeling, especially on my home sand,” Legrand said.
80 knot winds throughout the match, event marquees coming down and match play continued throughout a sand storm on St Kilda Beach.
Severe conditions did not keep crowds away with locals sticking around throughout rough winds and pouring rain.
Pottharst explained that although teams have experienced all sorts of conditions throughout the Australian summer, these are possible the worst wind gusts seen throughout the finals.
St Kilda will host the following round five of the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series from February 17 to 19.
Tags: volleyball equipment, volleyball net, volleyball nets, volleyball and net, volleyball court, sand volleyball net, volleyball players, volleyball net height
Coming off the back of a successful win in round three, Cook and Hinchley did not lose a set throughout the event, dominating the net throughout the weekend.
“The girls performance is clear indication on how they will be handling the next few months leading into qualifying period for the next Olympic games,” said commentator and previous Olympic patner Kerri Pottharst.
Cook is currently in the mix for an unprecedented fifth Olympic Games through the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup and if she and Hinchley can finish in the top three of the final zonal tournament in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand which begins next Thursday, the duo will be just one step from a London 2012 berth. The winners of the Continental Cup will gain an automatic place at the Games.
“Tamsin and I have been working on some new systems in the lead up to the Olympics and the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series this summer has really helped us prepare,” Cook revealed.
In the mens final, fifth seeded Cedric Legrand and Will Mercer picked up a narrow 14-21, 21-18, 15-12 victory over number two seeds Joshua Slack and Chris Mchugh
Both teams remained aggressive despite the rain however Legrand and Mercer took advantage of the vicious conditions serving aggressively into the wind.
“We haven’t made the finals all series so to get to here and win is a fantastic feeling, especially on my home sand,” Legrand said.
80 knot winds throughout the match, event marquees coming down and match play continued throughout a sand storm on St Kilda Beach.
Severe conditions did not keep crowds away with locals sticking around throughout rough winds and pouring rain.
Pottharst explained that although teams have experienced all sorts of conditions throughout the Australian summer, these are possible the worst wind gusts seen throughout the finals.
St Kilda will host the following round five of the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series from February 17 to 19.
Tags: volleyball equipment, volleyball net, volleyball nets, volleyball and net, volleyball court, sand volleyball net, volleyball players, volleyball net height
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