Sydney, Australia, March 20, 2017 - Sydney Volleyfest in Manly Beach went down into its ultimate showdown on Sunday with Australia and Canada contending for the title as part of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.
The home crowd pinned their gold medal hopes on Mariafe Artacho and Jessyka Ngauamo, who won their semifinal match against Germany's Kim Behrens/Anni Schumacher, 21-19, 21-17.
Australia’s last FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour title was from the Seoul Open in 2007.
Artacho/Ngauamo settled for silver to end Australia’s medal drought.
Canadians Julie Gordon and Camille Saxton feared nothing, not even the lack of experience, to win 2-0 in the championship match against home favourites Artacho/Ngauamo.
Completing the podium on Manly Beach are Australia’s Louise Bawden and Nikki Laird, who defeated Germans Behrens/Schumacher 2-1 (21-18, 22-24, 15-11) for bronze.
The winners savour their moment of glory,
while some others take along a wealth of experience.
As back-to-back champions, Gordon and Saxton are entitled to more moments of celebration beyond the podium.