Press release
Vanuatu duo put travel time behind them to record opening win at London
Miller Elwin (left) looks on as Linline Matauatu reaches the ball during their win over Greece's Christina Roubanis and Joanna Papageorgiou
London, Great Britain, August 8, 2011 – It took Vanuatu’s Elwin Miller and Linline Matauatu over a day to arrive in the United Kingdom for the Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International, but winning their opening match at Horse Guard’s Parade meant that the travel was well worth the effort.
Since arriving the pair have been training in Crewe, in the north-west of Britain in preparation for the tournament and their work paid off with a 21-13, 23-21 victory over Greece’s Christina Roubanis and Joanna Papageorgiou.
“When we stepped on the court we were excited and we played to win,” Elwin said. “I made sure I encouraged my partner to help us win that game and we played hard and we won.”
Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International Match Schedule
London, Great Britain | August 9-14
Olympic Test Event: Women
The pair are competing in London and the FIVB Swatch World Tour thanks to an International Olympic Committee Solidarity Grant that has allowed them to pay for accommodation, travel and a new coach in Australia’s Lauren McLeod.
The IOC funds have been supplemented with money from the FIVB and it has made an immediate impact with the pair finishing a career best 25th at the Quebec Open in Canada in July.
However, it hasn’t meant a reduction in the amount of time they spend in aeroplanes.
“We transited in China, then Amsterdam and arrived in Manchester,” Elwin said."Vanuatu to Australia was three hours, and then Australia to China was seven hours.
“China to Amsterdam was maybe seven hours and then to Manchester it was one hour. It was a big day.”
Exclusive interviews on FIVB Youtube Video Channel
Download highresolution
Since arriving the pair have been training in Crewe, in the north-west of Britain in preparation for the tournament and their work paid off with a 21-13, 23-21 victory over Greece’s Christina Roubanis and Joanna Papageorgiou.
“When we stepped on the court we were excited and we played to win,” Elwin said. “I made sure I encouraged my partner to help us win that game and we played hard and we won.”
Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International Match Schedule
London, Great Britain | August 9-14
Olympic Test Event: Women
The pair are competing in London and the FIVB Swatch World Tour thanks to an International Olympic Committee Solidarity Grant that has allowed them to pay for accommodation, travel and a new coach in Australia’s Lauren McLeod.
The IOC funds have been supplemented with money from the FIVB and it has made an immediate impact with the pair finishing a career best 25th at the Quebec Open in Canada in July.
However, it hasn’t meant a reduction in the amount of time they spend in aeroplanes.
“We transited in China, then Amsterdam and arrived in Manchester,” Elwin said."Vanuatu to Australia was three hours, and then Australia to China was seven hours.
“China to Amsterdam was maybe seven hours and then to Manchester it was one hour. It was a big day.”
Exclusive interviews on FIVB Youtube Video Channel
Download highresolution