Get a load of these new partnerships…

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Casey Patterson (left) and Jake Gibb had been partners since 2013. Photocredit: Predrag Vuckovic.

It’s all change in the USA! No less than three new men’s teams from the United States could be on show at our stunning beach opener in Fort Lauderdale in February! What better way to begin the season in style, huh?

The biggest news from the US is that Rio Olympic pairing Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb have gone their separate ways after four seasons of success together and have teamed up with new partners.

Jake, who celebrates his 41st birthday the day before the start of the Fort Lauderdale Major, has joined forces with Hawaii’s Taylor Crabb. Together with brother Trevor, the 24-year-old was one of the rising stars on the sand last year that saw them earn three ninth-place finishes from four FIVB tournaments, including at both the Gstaad Major and the A1 Major Klagenfurt.

Casey meanwhile will hit the sand next season with Theo Brunner – the 31-year-old former partner of Nick Lucena. Theo partnered with Billy Allen last season achieving a ninth place finish at the Long Beach Grand Slam – one of their high points on the tour.

Trevor, the older Crabb brother at 27, has partnered with the legendary Sean Rosenthal – the 36-year-old former teammate of Phil Dalhausser, who enjoyed a stunning 2014 season that saw him win five medals from 10 events – including three golds.

The Crabb brothers burst onto the international scene in 2016 but both will be playing with more experienced partners in 2017. Photocredit: Mihai Stetcu.

The trio of new teams now have just two months to get their game ready before the season starts at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park between 7-12 February.

For some teams, though, it’ll be business as usual in 2017. Dalhausser and Lucena will go again as they aim to go in search of the gold they came so close to winning in the 2015 Swatch World Tour Finals on home sand, while John Hyden and Tri Bourne – bronze medalists in Toronto – and John Mayer and Ryan Doherty keep their partnerships intact for what promises to be an even more exciting season that will include the 2017 FIVB World Championships in Vienna.

But for now we can’t wait to see the new teams and the familiar faces on the sand in Fort Lauderdale! And remember if YOU want to be with us in the sun in February then now’s your chance! We’re on the look-out for hard-working volunteers to help us put on the greatest show on sand. Click here for more details!

See you at the beach!