Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic after their gold medal match victory.
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Contributed
At least 2500 people flocked to Thompsons Beach at the weekend to catch the action as the Cobram-Barooga Classic landed on the banks of the Murray River.
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Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism President Nicky Goldsworthy said such an event showcases the destination to the world.
“It’s given us everything we expected - and more,” she said.
While crowds of onlookers gathered on the grass in the shade of the gums, around 7000 people from across Australia and the world tuned in to live-stream the event.
Goldsworthy added that local businesses benefited from the event, with the athletes sharing meals - and their experiences here - across Cobram-Barooga’s pubs and cafés.
“They’re swapping stories to Spain, to Italy, to Paris - swapping stories about what Cobram-Barooga has,” she said.
“To me, that’s a big box ticked.”
Berrigan Shire Council Mayor Julia Cornwell-McKean, Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism Chair Nicky Goldsworthy and Moira Shire Council CEO Matthew Morgan.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
The only blemish across an otherwise stellar event came after promised food trucks were forced to cancel when the heat on Friday soared past 35°C.
But even then, Goldsworthy said, local businesses stepped up to the plate.
At least 2500 people flocked to the banks of the Murray River to spectate the action.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
“The local Beach Cafe stepped up big time, did pizzas, kept up with it,” she said.
“People brought picnics, shopped in town - which is what we want.”
Oliver Merritt (QLD) and Jed Walker (WA) finished an impressive run through the tournament with a gold medal over favourites Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan in the men’s final on Sunday, March 2.
Oliver Merrett and Jed Walker are all smiles after clinching gold.
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Contributed
Number one seeds Jana Milutinovic (SA) and Olympic silver-medallist Taliqua Clancy (QLD) surged through the women’s semi-finals to take gold in their victory over second seeds Georgia Johnson (QLD) and Lizzie Alchin (WA).
Speaking after their win, Clancy and Milutinovic beamed as they spoke about their time in Cobram-Barooga.
“It’s exciting to come down, and we all get to test each other, it’s really awesome,” Clancy said.
Milutinovic, who now has two gold medals from the Classic, agreed with her teammate.
“It’s definitely a good confidence booster as we go onto our world tour campaign, so it definitely helps,” Milutinovic said.
The pair spent the rest of the afternoon watching the men’s grand final.
“Our younger boys are coming through, it’s really exciting - especially for myself - to see the growth of the next generation coming through and pushing for 2032,” Clancy said.
Clancy and Milutinovic took advantage of the location as often as they could.
How often did they swim in the Murray River? After every game, according to Milutinovic.
“As you can see, we’re very dirty, so it’s good to get in and wash off the sand,” Clancy said.
“It’s always a good temperature in there, too, so it’s nice.
“Cobram’s such a spectacular venue. In all the world, it’s one of the unique venues we get to play in.”
The Australian Beach Volleyball Tour continues at Thompsons Beach this week as the juniors battle it out.
16°C