The second Grand Slam stop

STAVANGER 2006 - For the fifth-straight year, the oil capital of Norway hosts a double gender SWATCH-FIVB World Tour event.  The 2006 event will be the second of four “Grand Slam” events on the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour schedule.  Switzerland hosts the first “major” event of 2006 in Gstaad a week before Stavanager while Paris and Klagenfurt, Austria stage “Grand Slam” stops at the end of July and the first week of August, respectively.  Stavanger has become a favored Beach Volleyball destination due to the fanatical support the event has enjoyed since its creation in 1999.   Since the southwestern Norwegian city’s landscape has been described as varied, contrasting and inspiring, the unpredictable weather in Stavanger adds to the excitement of the event.  Indeed, it is not unknown for conditions to change dramatically during a match so the athletes need to be well prepared for every possible outcome when they step out onto the sand.  Fjords and mountains, sophisticated city life and a multicultural population all help to create a special atmosphere in Stavanger where the motto is simply to “enjoy life!”

Women - The southwestern Norwegian port city hosts a women’s event for the fifth-straight year as the “famed” dockside court was the site of history in 2005 when Greece’s Vassiliki Arvaniti became the youngest player (20 years, 3 months, 15 days) ever to win an “open” SWATCH-FIVB World Tour event.  Nila Ann Hakedal and Ingrid Torlen placed fifth in 2004 for the top finish by a Norwegian team in the four Stavanger stops.  Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede of Brazil have placed fourth in each of their three Stavanger appearances.
 

2005 Vaagen Harbour podium (left to right) - Juliana, Larissa, Karadassiou, Arvaniti, Wang Fei and Tian Jian

Men - Will another country other than Brazil ever win a men’s SWTACH-FIVB World Tour event in Norway?  Led by Emanuel Rego, Brazilians have been atop the Stavanger podium in each of the seven previous events with 15 overall medals.  Emanuel has six gold medals and a bronze while earning $92,000 in Stavanger prize money.  Ricardo Santos has four gold medal finishes and $74,750 in Stavanger earnings.  Except for the 2003 event, Brazil has captured at least two podium spots in six of the seven men’s Stavanger events.  The 2003 event saw Argentina and Australia on the Stavanger podium with 2004 Olympic Champions Emanuel and Ricardo.  Norway’s top finishes are fifths by Vegard Hoidalen and Jorre Kjemperud in 2001 and 2002.

2005 men's podium (left to right) - Harley, Benjamin, Emanuel, Ricardo, Heuscher and Kobel