Stage set for beach volleyball grand slam in Gstaad

In a few days beach volleyball fans will "love Gstaad" again.

Following directly in the wake of the recent world championships in Norway, this coming Monday the elite of the beach volleyball players will arrive in Gstaad for the SWATCH FIVB World Tour 2009 - 1to1 energy Grand Slam. 64 teams, a SFr 3.2 million budget (the same as last year's world championship), increased prize money, bigger (or at least more expensive) TV production, and more VIP sky-lounge bookings even in an economic crisis. So be prepared for one big beach party and lots of "Put your hands up in the air" and "That's the way, ah hah, ah hah, I like it". By the end of the week the people living right around the arena cannot hear these songs anymore, but for Gstaad it is definitely a great spectacle, if only for the unusually large number of young, fit, tanned, good-looking men and women around. Even the Palace is having a SFr 100.- per head Beach Party (drinks not included), so go with the flow...