This year's Sunkist Beachvolley Open, played at Golden Bay, attracted a record number of 37 participating teams. Although the Men Pro and Female Pro categories registered an increase over last year's first edition, the most significant development was in the Amateur/Juniors bracket. Here, the teams actually doubled from eight in 2001 to 16.

Milky Whey, composed of Gordon Cachia and Remy Kozak, won the Men Pro competition followed by Durban, composed of Alan Gauci and Jonathan Chetcuti.

The winning team in the Female Pro was Hard Hitters made up of Giselle Abela and Nadia Falzon. Jennifer Bonello and Lucia Nestarini, playing under the name of Ozog Swiss, finished second.

The Amateurs/Juniors category was won by Bohemia composed of Steven and Peter Peccar. Mark Bezzina, David Briffa and Annalise Domenici, playing for Mad, were the runners-up.

The beachvolley competition was organised by RAG Promotions, and sponsored by Sunkist. Part of the funds generated through the Beach Open 2002 will be going towards the YMCA (Malta) Homeless Campaign.

"Following this edition, we are now examining ways to further improve the Challenge", Greta Borg, one of the organisers, said. "We would like to thank the Malta Volleyball Association for the support extended to us for the Training Camp held the weekend before the Challenge got underway."

"This edition has shown that beachvolley is a sport which deserves both support and, at the same time, a refreshing drink like Sunkist for a sponsor," Claire Carey, Sunkist Brand Executive at Farsons, remarked. "It has attracted a good number of sports people who took up the challenge, both for the prizes on offer and to help the YMCA campaign."

Other sponsors supporting the event included Air Malta, TeamSport, Le Meridien Phoenicia, Smiles Ice-Cream and Jagrove.