Kiwi Pair on Top Again

Wellington Beach Volleyball Men’s Final
Jason Lochhead & Kirk Pitman (NZL) defeat Paul Baxter & Adam Roberts (USA) 
2-0 (21-15, 21-19)

The weather was difficult but New Zealand’s beach volleyball men adapted best at Oriental Bay.

Plenty of practice in the windy conditions proved to be the key for Kirk Pitman & Jason Lochhead in the Wellington leg of the New Zealand beach volleyball tour yesterday.
The pair extended their winning run with a straight sets – 21-15, 21-19 – win against United States pair Paul Baxter & Adam Roberts, the third victory in as many tournaments for the New Zealand combination.
Wellington turned on its blustery charm yesterday afternoon as the men battled on Oriental bay, which proved a challenge for all teams.
“Its pretty tough. Everybody likes to serve into it and you really have to play into it. That’s not easy because it moves around all the time & anything can happen”. Pitman said.
“If the wind gusts you can lose a point or three points in a row.
When you’re serving you have to throw the ball into a different spot, [and] when you’re hitting you run to a position where you know it’s going to blow to. It’s just about reading what it’s going to do”.
“but we’ve had lots of practice at that. In Tauranga it blows a lot in the afternoon and we train in that, so we’re used to it”.

“We’re looking forward to the New Zealand Open, which we won last year, so we’re looking to defend our title.” – Kirk Pitman

Pitman & Lochhead missed the second leg of the tour at Ohope Beach due to niggly injuries, but they have not lost a game in the three legs they have played.
The tour moves to Auckland next weekend & Pitman admitted he was hoping for a bit more sunshine, though he was prepared for “four seasons in one day”.
“We’re looking forward to the New Zealand Open, which we won last year, so we’re looking to defend our title.
“We haven’t lost a game yet so fingers crossed, & we will go out there & give it everything again. Hopefully, we will enjoy it again because this is the time we really enjoy coming home,” Pitman said.
However, the pair has a bigger challenge looming, returning to the world tour with hopes of securing a place at the Beijing Olympics in August.
Top 10 finishes are planned to rise from 27th in the Olympic rankings to 24th.
Pitman admitted they were not in their best physical shape yet & this year was shaping as a challenge.
They start with a training camp in Sydney after the New Zealand tour before heading back into competition, where the challenge is to maintain top form for a long stretch.
“Its tough. To be honest, last year we didn’t quite find the formula so we’re hoping that we learnt from last year & we’re going to put that into practice this year.
We need to be at the top of our game for long periods & I think that’s the hardest thing for a sportsperson – & I think for every team & everybody who plays sport, to be at the top of your game for a long period is hard.
“For all of these tournaments its about trying to find what is your formula & what makes you tick.” he said. – Dominion Post – 15.01.07 – Anna Jensen Reported