TWO dramatic finals fittingly graced the 40th of the Weymouth Beach Classic.
The women’s title was won by Maria Sviridova and Giulia Rastelli from Italy who defeated Mhairi Wallace and Lynne Beattie from Scotland 21-18, 21-19 in a tense finale.
Later on, the men’s crown was clinched by Jan-Joost van den Bogert and Cole Durant who defeated Weymouth’s Matt Hunter and Canadian player Zec Johnson 21-15, 21-18.
There was historic consolation for Hunter, who plays for the Weymouth National League Division One team, as he became the first-ever player from Weymouth to reach the Classic final.
READ MORE: Weymouth Beach Classic returns for 40th edition
The ruby anniversary of the event once again proved why it is considered as the number one beach volleyball competition in Great Britain, despite dreadful weather on Saturday.
Finals day was played in front of large crowds supporting their favourite teams around the purpose-built Centre Court.
However, on Saturday the teams had to battle through heavy rain and wind on the beach but all matches were successfully completed which set up this excellent final day.
The wind was the main threat to the event and at one point it nearly got to the strength where play would have had to be suspended but the players, referees and volunteers from Weymouth Volleyball Club persevered and got in all the scheduled matches.
Croyde’s Denise Austin, who has won the event ten times, reached the semi-final where she announced her retirement from the game.
In an emotional announcement on Centre Court, the England international described her beach volleyball career playing all around the world but still her favourite place to play was here in Weymouth.
The event was run by Weymouth Volleyball Club and supported by UK Beach Tour (UKBT), the sport’s national body.
Event directors Graeme Sawyer and Pete Bennett were delighted that the event was such a success.
Bennett said: “It was fantastic to have such good weather which brought the crowds out to watch a festival of spectacular volleyball.
“Saturday was one of the wettest days in our 40-year history but everyone was determined to play through it and we actually finished a bit earlier than planned.
“In no small part this was a result of the fantastic volunteers we had from Weymouth Volleyball Club who just kept going throughout the day although they must have been soaked.
“We also need to thank Weymouth Town Council and We Are Weymouth for their fantastic support throughout the year.”
Dawn Rondeau, chief operations officer for We Are Weymouth, added: “It was incredible to watch these national championships in person, and an honour and privilege to present the medals and trophies to the finalists and winners, some of whom were local to Weymouth.
“How lovely to see the crowds out in force enjoying the sunshine and action on the courts, it truly is the ‘Wimbledon of the beach’.
“Weymouth is very lucky to be able to host these games, and We Are Weymouth is immensely proud to be sponsoring an event that has been held in Weymouth for the past 30-plus years, what a superb legacy for the town.”
Andy Jones CEO of UKBT said: “Weymouth is always the top event on the calendar for us because it takes place in such a great location and the local club are such great a team of organisers.
“We have always known that Weymouth is the best location in Great Britain.”
The event was made possible by lead sponsors We Are Weymouth and Weymouth Town Council.
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