Wednesday, 16 Oct 2024

Beach Update: U21 Championships

The FIVB Under 21 Beach World Championships is set to kick off this week in Switzerland, while the World Tour makes its way to Turkey. In this article, we will provide an overview of the event, the representation of the United States, and the implications for the Olympic qualification process.

United States Representation

The United States will be sending four pairs, two men’s and two women’s, to the U21 Championship in Lucerne, Switzerland. These teams will be vying for success on the international stage and aiming to secure higher placements on the provisional Olympic rankings.

Olympic Qualification Process

The upcoming U21 Championship marks a critical period for the top three American teams. With only four tournaments remaining before the next Olympic qualification date, these teams must secure higher placements on the provisional Olympic rankings or be one of the top two USA teams. It’s worth noting that each country can qualify a maximum of two teams per gender.

Provisional Olympic Rankings

As of May 9, 2016, the provisional Olympic rankings for both men and women are as follows:

  • Women:

    • Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross: 115,290 points
    • Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat: 164,410 points
    • Jennifer Kessy/Emily Day: 183,980 points
  • Men:

    • Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson: 5,180 points
    • Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena: 105,080 points
    • John Hyden/Tri Bourne: 164,730 points
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The Race for Olympic Qualification

Teams such as John Hyden/Tri Bourne and Jennifer Kessy/Emily Day, currently ranked third among American teams, are aiming to make up ground in the remaining tournaments. Hyden/Bourne and Kessy/Day need to continue to medal in order to catch up to Gibb/Patterson and Dalhausser/Lucena respectively.

On the women’s side, Kessy and Day have faced challenges in improving their points, failing to finish higher than ninth place in the last four tournaments. It’s crucial for them to achieve better finishes in order to drop lower finishes and improve their rankings. It’s worth mentioning that American teams can move up the Olympic rankings even if they don’t compete in the tournament of that week.

Future Outlook

The intensity of the qualification process will further increase as all of the Olympic hopeful teams are scheduled to participate in the Cincinnati Open on May 16. The next four tournaments will be crucial for teams to secure their spot in the Olympic Games.

U21 World Championships

In addition to the Olympic qualification events, the United States has also sent two men’s and two women’s teams to the 2016 Under 21 Beach World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland. This championship provides a platform for young talents to showcase their skills and gain international experience.

FAQs

Q: How many tournaments are left before the next Olympic qualification date?

A: There are four tournaments remaining before the next Olympic qualification date.

Q: How many teams can each country qualify for the Olympics?

A: Each country can qualify a maximum of two teams per gender.

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Q: Which American teams are currently in the top rankings?

A: Currently, Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross and Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat are ranked highest among American women. Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson and Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena are leading the way for American men.

Conclusion

As the U21 Championships and the World Tour events continue, the race for Olympic qualification heats up. American teams are striving for success and aiming to secure their quota spots for the upcoming Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more updates on the journey of the U.S. beach volleyball teams.

Alpinetgheep