Beach Volleyballers Have A Blast In Bangsean
Spectators are enjoying world-class beach volleyball at Bangsaen beach, the last stop on the 2012 international beach volleyball pro tour. Several Thailand teams are joining the top international women’s teams spiking for the tournament title.
BANGSEAN – October 23, 2012 [PDN]; at 2 p.m., the first volleyball was served to begin the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour Bangsaen Thailand Open powered by PTT.
The October 23-28 tournament is being held at Leamtaen in Bangsaen, Thailand.
Spectators are watching free of charge the world’s elite women’s beach volleyball teams compete, including some who were in the Olympic Games in London. More than 50 women’s teams are vying for the gold medal and share the $190,000 (U.S. dollars) in prize money.
Thailand as the host country is allowed two automatic slots in the main draw, which was given to the two top Thai women’s teams, Varapatsorn Radarong/Tanaratha Udomchavee; and Jarunee Sannok/Usa Tenpasee.
The more accomplished team is the Radarong/Udomchavee team, which has won three Asian Tour events and won the gold medal in the Asian Beach Games.
Besides the professional teams, there is a local supporting event, the PTT Schools Cup, where eight Chonburi school teams compete for their title and a place on the podium alongside the pros.
The first match of the prequalification round was held between the US and Germany to narrow the entrants to 4 teams according to the rules of the country quota playoffs per country. The U.S. and German beach amazons were battling against each other in a fun and exciting seesaw match.