The 2024 GJ Gardner Homes NZ Beach Tour presented by Tip Top wrapped up in thrilling fashion last Sunday in Mount Maunganui.
Kiwi stars Alice Zeimann and Shaunna Polley took out the final stop of the tour, completing their grand slam by winning all four tour stops. Alice and Shaunna were challenged by the visiting USA team Alaina Chacon & Mariah Whalen, whom they would match up with in the final.
On Saturday, in an earlier round, Alaina and Mariah were able to take the first set pushing the match to three sets before eventually falling to the Kiwis 2-1 (17-21, 21-16, 15-9).
When they saw each other again in the final, the Kiwis Alice and Shaunna were able to end the game in two close sets 2-0 (21-18, 21-19).
Alice and Shaunna said they were excited to have had the opportunity to compete against international talent in the USA team, which will help them prepare for what’s next including the Olympic Qualifiers.
The bronze medal would go to the USA team of Peri Green and Victoria Corcoran who overcame Kiwis Meile Rose Green and Katie Sadlier 2-0(21-18, 21-14)
Fellow Kiwis Jack McManaway & Thomas Reid would take home the Men’s division gold medals. To get to the final Jack and Thomas had to beat the visiting USA pair, Phil Dalhausser, a former Olympic Gold Medallist, World Champion and four-time Olympian alongside teammate Olympian Taylor Crabb. They did just that, forcing three sets after dropping the first, eventually winning 2-1(15-21, 21-18, 15-11).
After the Semifinal, Thomas Reid described it as a “Surreal moment” and an “unbelievable fight”. Jack McManaway said “To be on the court with him (Phil Dalhausser) you want to take in the moment, but you also want to play some good ball. When we took the second set to take it to three, we went, it’s about us right now. So let’s do it for the home fans and get the job done”.
In the final, the Kiwis would overcome Canadian pair Jake MacNeil and Alexander William Russell 2-0(22-20, 21-19)
The bronze medal would go to Brad Fuller and Alani Nicklin who defeated Phil Dalhausser and Taylor Crabb 2-0(22-20, 21-12).
After a consistently good tour, Brad and Alani were crowned Tour Champions of the Men’s division.
Results
GJ Gardner Homes NZ Beach Tour presented by Tip Top
Sunday 18 February, Mount Maunganui Main Beach
Men’s Premier – (
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