The 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball calendar featured a record purse of USD 9.6 mio. with a season that extended from April to October, competing at 20 venues in 15 countries. The schedule included five FIVB Grand Slams, three brand new Swatch Major Series events, four FIVB Opens and a spectacular Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in the USA. And 2016 is going to be even more impressive.

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Adrian Carambula and Alex Ranghieri at the 2015 Poreč Major are leading the 2016 FIVB World Tour ranking at the moment Photocredit: Joerg Mitter

MEN’S POINTS/EARNINGS
After three events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour, Italy’s duo Adrian Carambula/Alex Ranghieri leads the FIVB World Tour point standings with 1,100 points. Germany’s tandem Markus Böckermann/Lars Flüggen is second in the ranking with 1,090. Third is USA’s Lucena/Dalhausser with 950 points, fourth with 880 points is Latvia’s duo Martins Plavins/Haralds Regza and tied for fifth with 780 points are Belgium’s Dries Koekelkoren/Tom van Walle and Poland’s Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak. Seventh is USA’s Hyden/Bourne with 700 points.

WOMEN’S POINTS/EARNINGS
For the women after two 2016 FIVB World Tour events, Italy’s Menegatti/Orsi Toth are at the top of the point list with 850 points, Argentina’s tandem Ana Gallay/Georgina Klug is second with 650, tied for third with 540 points for each team are Austria’s Barbara Hansel/Stefanie Schwaiger and France’s Alexandra Jupiter/Laura Longuet and tied for fifth with 500 points for each team are Czech Republic’s Slukova/Hermannova and Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst.

MEN’S FINAL FOURS
In three men’s tournaments on the 2016 FIVB competition calendar, seven countries have at least one final four placement. Co-leaders with three final four placements each are Germany (one gold medal, one bronze medal, one fourth place finish) and the United States (one gold medal, one silver medal, one bronze medal). Tied for third with one each are Chile (one fourth place), Italy (one gold medal), Latvia (one bronze medal), Mexico (one silver medal) and the Netherlands (one silver medal).

WOMEN’S FINAL FOURS
In two women’s FIVB international events on the 2016 calendar, seven countries have earned at least one final four finish. At the top with two final four placements is Italy (one silver medal, one bronze) and tied for second with one each are Argentina (one fourth place finish), Brazil (one silver medal), Czech Republic (one gold medal), Germany (one gold medal), Netherlands (one fourth place finish) and the United States (one bronze medal).

Laura Ludwig of team Ludwig/Walkenhorst at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Fort Lauderdale Photocredit: Martin Steinthaler

GROWING HISTORY
When play resumes in January, the FIVB Vitoria Open in Brazil will be the 333rd men’s tournament since the FIVB began play in 1987 and the 297th FIVB women’s tournament since they started competition in 1992.