Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 3, 2011 – Brazil will crown a new Queen of the Beach this weekend when the annual competition takes place in Rio de Janeiro with the best eight players of the 2010 Brazilian National Tour set to take to the sands.
The tournament is now in its 13th year and last year's winner, FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour regular Maria Elisa Antonelli, will be there to defend her title. She will be joined by Juliana Felisberta, Val Leao and Carol Salgado in Pool B while Pool A will consist of Larissa Franca, Talita Antunes, Vivian Cunha and Maria Clara Salgado.
The best player from each pool will contest the final on Sunday, when they will choose one of the eliminated players as their partner. Maria Elisa has already made clear her intentions to reclaim her crown. "From a personal point of view, the best moment was undoubtedly my coronation," she said.
"The Queen of the Beach results in prestige. After I won the title, doors were open. I'm pleased with everything the event has given me." In 2010 final match, Maria Elisa teamed up with Vivian Cunha to defeat Larissa Franca and Val 2-1 (26-28, 27-25 and 15-10).
Competition schedule
First round
Pool A - Larissa/Talita x Vivian/Maria Clara
Pool B – Juliana/Maria Elisa x Carol/Val
Pool A – Larissa/Vivian x Talita/Maria Clara
Pool B – Juliana/Carol x Maria Elisa/Val
Pool A – Larissa/Maria Clara x Talita/Vivian
Pool B – Juliana/Val x Carol/Maria Elisa
Past Queens of the Beach
1999 – Shelda Bede
2000 – Sandra Pires
2001 – Sandra Pires
2002 – Ana Paula Henkel
2003 – Shaylyn Bede
2004 – Val Leao
2005 – Juliana Felisberta
2006 – Shaylyn Bede
2007 – Larissa Franca
2008 – Talita Antunes
2009 – Sandra Pires
2010 – Maria Elisa Antonelli
