Sand Storm in Austria

Austria may be an unlikely place for a Beach Party, but in Klagenfurt, the country’s southernmost city, that’s exactly what happens when the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour hits the town.

The Tour first stopped here in 1996, the year of the successful launch of Beach Volleyball as an Olympic sport. After the event gathered in popularity each year, the FIVB then entrusted the 2001 Beach Volleyball World Championships to Klagenfurt. The rest is sporting and entertainment history.

Set on the edge of the fabulous Lake Worther a traditional holiday resort near the Italian border, the venue last year attracted 101,000 spectators over the six days of competition. FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta praised the event as one of the best ever in the history of “Beach”, and players also claimed it as one of their favorite events.

This year the Austrian event will be one of two Grand Slams, where women and men battle it out for the season’s top ranked competition, and one that attracts more points and bigger prize money.

That Klagenfurt was last year voted “Best Event” of the year by a popular Austrian magazine – ahead of the classic Kitzbuehel Downhill and the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix - was a tribute to its organizers.

Klagenfurt is unique. The players deliver a fantastic competition and the crowd gets into party mode by singing, chanting, dancing and even performing the trademark “slow wave” to the tune of the Blue Danube Waltz. The side events offer a non-stop party atmosphere, which will include this year the "After Beach Parties" beginning at the end of the daily matches on the event site itself.

Last year Argentina’s Mariano Baracetti and Martin Conde stole the crown from Brazilians Ricardo and Loiola, while Adriana and Shelda took the women’s title for Brazil.  But even though he only came away with the silver medal, Loiola still praised the event. "It's amazing! It's not like this anywhere else in the world," the Brazilian said, looking around at the animated crowd. "Here in Austria they really know how to cheer."

Among the top players who list Klagenfurt as their favorite World Tour event are: Olympic champions Sydney 2000 Dain Blanton, Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook, Jackie Silva (Olympic Champion Atlanta 1996) and FIVB Player’s Representative Vegard Hoidalen.

New: Organisation's office on site:
A1 Beach Volleyball Grand Slam 2001
Villacherstrasse 306-308
A-9020 Klagenfurt
Tel.Nr.:+43-463-21 80 270
Fax.Nr.:+43-463-21 80 27-20

for info and press accreditation: www.beachvolleyball.at