NORTHERN beaches star Mariafe Artacho del Solar has put a big footprint in the sand for selection in Australia’s first ever Commonwealth Games beach volleyball team by claiming gold in the NSW Open at Manly on Sunday.
The 24-year-old teamed up with Phoebe Bell to win the women’s final which significantly was also the first of three selection events for the Games next April on the Gold Coast.
”I hope I gave myself the best chance of being selected,” said Artacho del Solar, who was raised in Elanora Heights.
“I hope I am in the minds of the selectors, we won so in a way we couldn’t do any better than win gold."