(June 22, 2002)

Americans Kerri Walsh And Misty May Strike Gold To Win The Swiss Open
FIVB Women's Beach Volleyball World Tour

GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND (June 22, 2002) Americans Kerri Walsh and Misty May struck gold here in the alpine resort of Gstaad on Saturday when they swooped to victory over Adriana Behar-Shelda of Brazil in the final of the Swiss Open, the second stop on the FIVB Women's Beach Volleyball World Tour.

Walsh and May won in straight sets (21-17, 21-17) and proved in an impressive way that they are the current holders of the Speedo Gold Tops and best women's team on the tour. It is the second victory of the Americans after the Madrid Open two weeks ago, when they defeated another Brazilian formation Ana Paula Connelly and Tatiana Minello.

Walsh and May lost only one set during the whole competition here in Gstaad and treated the crowd with an aggressive style of Beach Volleyball. "I don't think that it was our best match today, but we are on the second floor and there are still many more floors to go," said Misty after the match. "We want to be number one of the World and therefore we have to be good at every tournament," said Kerri Walsh.

Earlier on the bronze medal was again decided between Australians Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook, Australia, and Alexandra-Monica of Brazil. The Olympic Gold Medalists from Sydney won, like at the Madrid Open, in a hard fought match 2-0 (21-19, 21-15). The Brazilian pair played only their second tournament, and looked much more confident together than in Madrid. "You can never win enough!" said Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst "We came to win a cow bell and we did!"

Hot summer temperatures combined with ecstatic crowds and the picturesque scenery of the Swiss Alps made this Saturday to another great day for Alpine Beach Volleyball.

The World Tour continues with the next double gender event in Stavanger, Norway from 2nd-7th of July.

[Source: FIVB Press Delegate Michaela Binder onsite: Cell phone: +43 69919540276 or email: michaela_binder@gmx.at Press Center in Gstaad: Fax +41 337483886, www.fivb.org]