Men's Acapulco 2005

2005 Informational Kit

ACAPULCO 2005 - Affectionately called the Queen of the Mexican Riviera, Acapulco hosts the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour for the second-time after launching the qualifying process for the Sydney Olympic Games in 1999.  Located in the Mexican state of Guerrero, about 230 miles south of Mexico City on Mexico's southwest Pacific Coast, the city is bordered by the spectacular Acapulco Bay to the west, and by the majestic Sierra Madre mountains to the east.  The town has a population of about 1.5 million residents.  Acapulco is one Mexico's top vacation destinations, attracting some 3.5 million visitors annually.  Famous for its stunning beaches, with their satiny, fine, white and golden sands - dotted with tall, majestic palm tree, Acapulco features nearly 20 miles of beaches.  La Condesa beach, located in the center of the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone), between the El Presidente and Continental Plaza hotels, is perhaps the most popular beach in Acapulco.

Women – Mexico’s original resort, Acapulco hosts the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour on the soft golden sand of Tamarindos Beach with its blue-colored warm waves and swaying palm trees.  Acapulco hosted one of the first qualifying events for the 2000 Olympic games where Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede topped the 1999 podium as the Brazilians bettered Sydney gold medallists Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook for the title.  However, the Aussies were playing with different partners in 1999 where Pottharst teamed with Pauline Manser and Cook with Angela Clarkie.  Laura Almaral and Mayra Huerta were Mexico’s top finishers in 1999 with a 17th.  Pic:  FIVB President Ruben Acosta with the Athens 2004 silver medalists Shelda Bede and Adriana Behar.

Year – Acapulco Gold Medal / Acapulco Silver Medal / Acapulco Bronze Medal

1999 – Shelda Bede/Adriana Behar, Brazil / Pauline Manser/Kerri Pottharst, Australia / Angela Clarke/Natalie Cook, Australia

Men - With a new promoter, a powerful Host Broadcaster Televisa and a four-year agreement, the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour event returns to Mexico for the first-time since 2000.  Men’s teams from the United States won the first two FIVB events in Mexico, including a 1999 Acapulco gold medal for Bill Boullianne and Ian Clark.  The Americans upsets 1997 FIVB World Champions Para Ferreira and Guilherme Marques of Brazil in the 1999 finals.  Juan Rodriguez Ibarra and Joel Sotelo finished seventh in the 1999 event for Mexico’s best-ever placement on the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour.  Pic:  Brazil's Ricardo Santos at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Year – Acapulco Gold Medal / Acapulco Silver Medal / Acapulco Bronze Medal

1999 - Bill Boullianne/Ian Clark, USA / Para Ferreira/Guilherme Marques, Brazil / Ze Marco deMelo/Ricardo Santos, Brazil