Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes dethrone last yearâs champions
There were new winners of Gstaadâs iconic golden cowbells after Canadaâs Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes knocked reigning champions Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude of Germany off of their throne in a sensational final.
In front of a packed Swiss crowd, Sarah and Melissa edged a tight first set 21-17 before the Germans bounced back to take the game to a decider. In a thrilling seesaw third set, Chantal and Julia missed a chance to retain their title only for the Canadians to fight back and claim gold 17-15.
The gold was world number ones Pavan and Humana-Paredesâ second Beach Volleyball Major Series crown after their triumph in Porec last season and their second of 2018 following their triumph in the Commonwealth Games.
For Melissa, who won bronze here at the worldâs highest beach volleyball tournament last season, the title and cowbell held extra significance on her fatherâs birthday.
âItâs the perfect present for him,â said the 25-year-old defender. âI gave last yearâs to my mum so this one will go to my dad. Both of us receive so much support from our families back home so it’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile.â
Pavan, who was imperious at the net with seven crucial blocks, added: âMel was on fire in the third set, they couldnât handle her. We now move on to Vienna and we hope for more of the same. Itâs a great feeling.â
For last yearâs champions Laboureur/Sude, there was no hard feelings after losing their crown â after all they still had a silver medal to celebrate.
âIt was a really close game,â said Chantal, who ended the tournament as the top scorer. âIt was a big fight right until the end. We won a lot of tight games this week so now itâs their turn. In the end weâre really happy with silver.â
Canada had two teams on the podium after Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson took the bronze medal â the teamâs fourth medal in five tournaments. Their 21-19, 21-13 win over Agatha Bednarczuk and Eduarda âDudaâ Santos Lisboa was their first podium finish in a Major Series event together.
The win for Canada ensured a little piece of Gstaad history: for the first time a Brazilian team failed to reach the podium.
While the European teams head for Holland for the Euro Championships next week, the rest of the beach elite will prepare for a return to Austria for the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch which runs August 1-5. Sarah Pavanâs parents will be there â will you?
You can rewatch all matches of the Swatch Gstaad Major on the Beach Volleyball Major Series’Â BeachStream channel.