The Australian Beach Volleyball Championships culminated in an afternoon of competition equally as dazzling as the Manly sunshine. In two finals matches that went the full three sets, the crowd was left in no doubt that this is 2012, and this is an Olympic year.

As Aussies Chris McHugh and Joshua Slack set out to impress the home crowd, Danish pair Bo Soderberg and Anders Hoyer looked to extend their blistering undefeated run in the Australian Beach Volleyball Series.

Across court the most anticipated match of the entire Series loomed, with the top women’s pair Louise Bawden and Becchara Palmer finally facing off against number two pair Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley.

Hoyer/Soderberg won a tense arm-wrestle with training partners McHugh/Slack to claim the men's crown. The Danes fired early to steal the first set 21-18 before a fight back led by three-time Olympian Slack and aided by big serving from McHugh saw the Aussies come out on the right side of the 21-18 second set.

In the third and deciding set “McHuge” proved un-passable at the net but “Spiderman” Soderberg owned the sidelines. He flirted with the tightrope in his attacking play and the approach worked as the Danes clinched the third set 15-13 in a match worthy of the World Tour.

“We are so happy to be here, to win and be undefeated on Australian soil this year. I’m pretty satisfied with that,” said Hoyer, who is aiming to represent Denmark at the 2012 Games.

“It's great preparations for the Olympics this year... That’s our big goal to make it to the Olympics and being here is the perfect preparation- perfect atmosphere and perfect conditions,” he said in the Manly sun.

The Danes train alongside the Aussies in Adelaide and the quartet hopes to push each other towards securing Olympic berths for their respective nations.

Clouds began to creep across the sky as the women’s derby began, but an exuberant Manly crowd was not going anywhere.

Reigning Australian Champions Palmer/ Bawden are Australia’s only team safely inside the top-16 global Olympic ranking cut-off. They lined up against Beijing Olympic pair Cook/Hinchley who face a race against time to qualify for the London Olympics after reuniting less than a year ago. To read Tamsin Hinchley's diary about the journey to London click here>>>

The first hit-out between the top two Australian pairings had been a long time coming and it did not disappoint, with Bawden/Palmer taking the first set 21-18 in a faultless display.

In the second set it was Cook/Hinchley’s turn to deliver a master-class. As “Cookie” eyes an astounding fifth Olympic berth, her determination was remarkable, serving up a seven-point streak to help them secure the second set.

In the decider the experienced Cook/Hinchley had gold in sight when they were up at 11-9, but Bawden/Palmer clawed the score-line back to 11-11 and did not let up, taking the third set 15-13 and the Australian crown.

“Credit to those guys- they played really, really well,” junior world champion Palmer said post-match.

“Nat has a really good game in the defence and Tamsin is really strong at the net so we had to bring everything we had to make sure we were getting over her and past Nat.”

For Bawden, who competed in indoor volleyball at the Sydney 2000 Olympics alongside Hinchley (then Barnett), there were mixed emotions about competing against such a close friend.

“It’s not easy. I have to spend a long time gearing myself up before a game because you really need to separate yourself,” Bawden said.

“I just put a lot of extra energy into our team when we’re playing those guys because you’ve got to go out there and play hard and play to win.

“We’re so glad that we fought really hard and fought hard at the critical moments and that’s so important for us moving into the next phase of competition,” she said.

The Australian Series was a perfect launch pad for the competitors ahead of the World Tour where crucial Olympic rankings points are on the line.

“It’s good to see these girls back in such great form at the right time leading into the World Tour,” beach volleyball gold medallist Kerri Pottharst said.

“This will give them the much needed confidence to finish the season strong and to confirm their spot in the Olympic Games.”

The battle for Olympic qualification continues until June, just one month before the Games begin. All four teams are hoping to book their tickets to London to compete at the Horse Guard’s Parade on the Prime Minister’s doorstep where Prince Harry is rumoured to have already secured front row seats.

Taya Conomos
AOC