When the globe’s two hemispheres collided on the Equator, it was the south who won out in the first Red Bull Latitude Zero volleyball challenge.
The action took place in the city of Macapá in northern Brazil – the state capital of Amapá lies directly on the Equator. There was simply no better venue for the best volleyball players of the northern and southern hemispheres to go head-to-head.
As well as being home to the Marco Zero (Mark Zero) monument on the banks of the Amazon River, Macapá is also home to the only sports stadium which has a half of the pitch in both hemispheres.
The southern hemisphere team was made-up of an all-Brazilian quartet, the male duo of Alison Cerutti and Rhonney Ferramenta teamed up with sister act Maria Clara and Carolina Salgado. The four locals were coached at Red Bull Latitude Zero by Brazilian volleyball idol Nalbert Bitencourt.
'I’ve been so impressed with the vibrancy of the people I have met here' – Julius Brink
The team from the northern hemisphere were also not short on quality with German duo Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann travelling as the male pair. It was also a family affair for the north with Austrian sisters Doris and Stefanie Schwaiger completing the team. Calling the shots for the northern hemisphere was former United States player and beach volleyball legend Sinjin Smith.
Over 4,000 spectators braved the scorching temperatures and turned up on the spring equinox for a memorable day of world-class volleyball. Ninety minutes of action was split into three matches – female doubles, male doubles and mixed quartets – with no breaks in play.
For the first match of the day, sisters were doing it for themselves as the Salgado and Schwaiger siblings battled to get their half of the globe off to the best possible start. In a tight game, the girls from Rio de Janeiro beat their northern-hemisphere opposition thanks to some crisp interplay.
Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Photofiles
The Salgado trademark of quick thinking defensive play from Carolina was complimented superbly by the attacking prowess of Maria Clara as they edged a well-contested match with the Schwaiger sisters 29–27.
With the Salgado sisters starting the samba party early, big pressure was on the northern hemisphere’s men to get the match back on level terms. The German pair of Brink and Reckermann imposed themselves on their Brazilian opponents and soon opened up a five-point lead. Two aces from Brink showed that the boys from the north had come to Macapá to do more than just top up their tans.
As the game wore on however former team-mates Alison and Rhonney managed to swing the match back in favour of the southern hemisphere. Alison showed the kind of power which has earned him the nickname Mamute (Mammoth) as he repeatedly slammed the ball back over the net.
Despite the best efforts of Brink and Reckermann, it was the southern hemisphere who added a men’s doubles victory to their win in the women’s match thanks to a 59–52 scoreline.
'It was immensely satisfying to be here participating in a unique game of beach volleyball' – Alison Cerutti
There was no rest for the men after an intense match, as they were immediately joined on the court by their female team-mates for the showpiece mixed quartet game. As the temperature rose around the net, the crowd were treated to a series of sensational rallies. Each of the eight athletes covered every grain of sand in their half of the court as they played their hearts out for their respective hemispheres.
The main match of the day was nip-and-tuck all the way until the southern hemisphere began to take control in the latter stages. With the Brazilians sustaining a late advantage of between eight and 10 points, the game was eventually closed out with an acrobatic leap from Rhonney.
Even though the city of Macapá occupies both hemispheres, the 102–93 win by the all-Brazilian team seemed to please the whole crowd. The support was certainly appreciated by Maria Clara Salgado.
Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Photofiles
“It’s the first time Carolina and I have been to Macapá, and we loved everything about our trip. The thing that we really loved was the people we have met, and we must thank the crowd for the support they gave us.”
The northern hemisphere team may have lost all their matches, but Julius Brink was happy to have made the trip to Red Bull Latitude Zero.
“There are places you see lots of times on television, but when you go there you are still surprised by the live experience. The Amazon is undoubtedly one of those cases – I’ve been so impressed with the vibrancy of the people I have met here.”
Alison Cerutti, the poster-boy of Brazilian beach volleyball, was very pleased with his day in middle-earth, not only to win for his hemisphere but also getting some revenge in the process.
“The game was unforgettable. It was immensely satisfying to be here participating in a unique game of beach volleyball. It was a honour to represent the southern hemisphere and also great to defeat the pair that beat me in last year’s world championship final.”
Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Photofiles
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