This is the seventh episode of the Road to Paris, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down the Olympic beach volleyball race for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. We also have our first guest appearance from Australian Olympian and Volleyball World commentator Damien Schumann, who provides a little background on the gold medalists.
This episode follows the @BeachVolleyballWorld Jurmala Challenge, where Australians Zach Schubert and Thomas Hodges won gold, and Brazilians George Wanderley and Andre Loyola, Evandro Goncalves and Arthur Mariano, and Renato Lima and Vitor Felipe all made the semifinals. In this episode, Mewhirter covers:
– The big gold medal won by Schubert and Hodges
– How Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson have become the best defensive team in the world
– A huge breakthrough silver medal for Esmee Bobner and Zoe Verge-Depre
– Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova getting back on the map with a bronze
And a whole lot more!
SHOOTS!
***
NEW BOOK ALERT!!! Travis Mewhirter and Kent Steffes just published a seminal work on the history of beach volleyball in their new book, Kings of Summer: The Rise of Beach Volleyball. Check it out on Amazon!! https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Summer-rise-beach-volleyball/dp/B0B3JHFKM7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WGJFWHPBGPQ2&keywords=kings+of+summer+book&qid=1658922972&sprefix=kings+of+summer+book%2Caps%2C1328&sr=8-1
We are FIRED UP to announce that we’ve signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Stay healthy with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter and get your greens today! https://athleticgreens.com/partner/d35ctoffer-strength/en?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=sandcast_d35ct__a3172__o27&utm_term=cac__a3172__o27&utm_content=sport__a3172__o27
We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/
If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We’d love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/
This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball
Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB
15 Comments
Good update Travis! Was totally surprised by Zdybek. Him and Kantor have huge potential!
I like Schumann’s commentating too. He’s very knowledgeable.
Enjoying these shorter videos amongst the longer podcast! The Olympic breakdowns are super insightful. Is there a good breakdown somewhere of the remaining events for Olympic qualification?
Intro: 0:00
Australian Gold in Jūrmala: 0:25
Damien Schuman discusses Australian Teams: 4:39
Brazilian domination: 7:10
American Men: 10:43
Polish Federation upheaval : 12:40
Women's tournament transition and water break: 14:10
(Canada)Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson defensive prowess: 14:25
(Switzerland)Esmee Bobner and Zoe Verge-Depre medal: 16:49
(Latvia)Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova return to form : 18:57
Struggle Bus: 20:25
* (Italy)Daniele Lupo and Enrico Rossi: 20:30
* (Australia)Chris McHugh and Paul Burnett: 22:02
North America Report: 22:52
* Norceca World Championship Qualifier : 23:04
* (USA)Kelly Kolinske and Haley Harward: 25:14
* (Canada)Sarah Pavan and Molly McBain: 26:00
Outro/Upcoming Events: 27:00
Great Episode! The added context for the Olympic race always makes these International tournaments more fun to watch!
Travis, great updates as always! Sandcast is by far one of my favorite channel on youtube. But I got to admit, I wish we have more U.S men bringing home medals from world tour. Also I'm bringing my family for the Hermosa AVP tournament, do you have any recommendation for restaurants,etc?
Trying to figure all this out makes me glad to have gotten my degree in computer science! It was easier!! 🤣 Thank you for all the explanations!
want to b in paris talked to my vball girl mom lives there shootz mate
Thanks for all the info. Does Pan American games play into World Championships or anything? I know Logan Webber/Hagen Smith won that US qualifying tourney but not sure if it ties into any of the other international stuff.
Bukovec is signed up with Bansley for Espinho, Edmonton, Montreal by the way.
Brilliant update!
So good the Brazilians are finally fighting it out in the long game. Polish new boys on the block def ones to watch! Mel and Brandie look like they should be cemented into elite 16…🤞no one wants to meet them in QF😮 Zoe and Esme -Yes they have the wild card for Gstaad which is so good to keep that race even. Injury to Rossi def set them
Back. It’s a long haul though and the bodies are taking the toll. The Grind is real! It’s always interesting who has to take an early pit stop and if they get back into the fast lane.
Keep up the Sterling work!
Tri & Travis….is there a website/place to go to see the Paris Olympic rankings for the men & women? The FIVB rankings seem to differ a little. Thanks!
Great update! You coming to Edmonton or Van Open? I'm in Calgary so debating checking out either of those events!
Hats off to Travis and everyone at Sandcast for these Road to Paris updates. I have been listening to Sandcast for over a year now and I have loved this new segment. As an avid fan of beach volleyball, it is super hard to keep track of all of these teams and how they are doing. These episodes have made it understandable and accessible for beach volleyball fans everywhere to truly follow the race for Olympic qualification. I am excited to continue listening to these episodes as they come out as well as anything else put out there by their team. Also highly recommend reading “Kings of Summer,” the book is nothing short of a masterpiece
Let’s give a round of applause to Travis for remembering/pronouncing all of these names!
Thanks Travis 🤙🏽🥇
such an inspiring win by the Aussies! Great reporting travis, love this series!!