Canada is one win away from earning an Olympic berth in both men's and women's beach volleyball following semifinal victories on Friday at the Continental Cup.
In a men's semifinal, Canada defeated Cuba 3-0. Christian Redmann of Toronto and Ben Saxton of Calgary opened the match beating Karell Pina and Sergio Gonzalez 21-19, 21-19. Then Josh Binstock of Toronto and Martin Reader of Comox, B.C., defeated Yaismell Borrell and Yadrian Escobar 21-15-14 and Redmann and Saxton sealed the match bouncing Borrell and Escobar 21-15, 21-16.
The other semi between Mexico and Puerto Rico was later Friday.
In a women's semifinal, Canada also beat Cuba 3-0. Annie Martin of Sherbrooke, Que., and Marie-Andrée Lessard of Ville LaSalle, Que., opened with a 21-13, 21-15 win over Kirenia Ballard and Onayamis Sinal; Heather Bansley and Liz Maloney of Toronto beat Niriam Sinal and Ion Canet 21-17, 21-13 and Martin and Lessard defeated Sinal and Canet 21-12, 21-10.
Mexico and Puerto played their semifinal later Friday.
The finals are on Saturday.
The winner of the tournament in both men's and women's play earns a country quota spot for the London Games. The second and third finishers place travel to a last chance Olympic qualifier at the end of the month in Moscow.
If Canada gains an Olympic spot there will be a Canadian trial between the teams that are competing here this week on July 7 at Ashbriges Bay in Toronto.
For more information: www.volleyball.ca and www.fivb.org