Chiara Congia and Justin Van Gerven (GER) with Max – FEI / Richard Juilliart.
Whereas there was little doubt that Germany would go house with a title, the query forward of the Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Last was simply what number of may they win?
Kathrin Meyer (GER) had one foot firmly on the rostrum after her technical check, and he or she made it clear together with her freestyle that she had no intention of letting anybody else have the highest spot. Powerfully, she moved by way of her robotic freestyle to take the title at her debut FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Last. Collectively together with her Mum, Sonja Meyer, and her personal horse, San Classico S, the trio proved an unbeatable mixture (8.428).
“I’m actually glad; it was the primary time I confirmed my new freestyle… and my new inside floor soar labored fairly nicely. I’m actually pleased with that,” stated Meyer.
Danielle Bürgi (SUI) remained scorching on the heels of the German vaulter. Nevertheless, even together with her artistic freestyle profitable the spherical, it wasn’t sufficient. Vaulting on Finest Brew, lunged by Andrea Selch, she completed in second, solely 0.082 behind (8.346).
Professionalism and expertise shone by way of for Julia Sophie Wagner of Germany. A technical hitch led to a music error initially of her spherical, however she didn’t falter and as an alternative pulled off a wonderful freestyle to stand up the rankings and end in bronze medal place atop DSP Sir Laulau with Hendrik Falk (7.791). The USA’s Kimberly Palmer was left simply exterior the medal positions, scoring 7.736.
Within the Males’s competitors, the first-round scores made all of the distinction. Dwelling favorite Daniel Janes carried out the second-best freestyle however was unable to maneuver up the chief board, ending in sixth (7.190). Switzerland’s Andrin Müller excited the group and he clung on to his well-earned day one third place, giving Andrea Selch and Finest Brew one other podium end (7.514).
Regardless of overbalancing in an early floor soar, Sam dos Santos nearly held it collectively. He recovered nicely and confirmed glimpses of big potential in his freestyle for this season. The Dutch vaulter completed his first FEI Vaulting World Cup Last™ in second place, with Max and Sarah Krauss, and is certain to have already got his eyes on the title (8.052).
On this event, the lads had been fully outclassed by Jannik Heiland. With a 0.5-point lead, and on his fifth try, the German vaulter calmly executed his freestyle and took Sonja Meyer and San Classico S to the highest of the rostrum for the second time.
“It’s a large enviornment; it was a really nice feeling and it’s an honour for me to be right here. To win the World Cup Last, it was a giant want for me to get this title my complete life,” he stated.
The German domination continued into the Pas de Deux class. There was no downside for DSP Sir Laulau and Hendrik Falk, permitting Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne to dig deep and guarantee to beat as a lot of the deficit from the primary spherical as potential. An enormous 8.516 within the second spherical threw down the gauntlet for the remaining combos and set 7.876 as the ultimate rating to beat.
“We had been so grateful that we may present the entire freestyle, and the final block was good, and we couldn’t hope for extra,” stated Künne.
Danish mixture Freja Linde and Maria Thinggaard Sorensen went easily, but it surely wasn’t sufficient, and so they settled for fourth, 7.641. With slight hesitations, Romana Hintner and Eva Nagiller couldn’t hold Austria forward as they had been pushed into in third place at 7.832.
As Chiara Congia and Justin van Gerven entered for his or her swan track, they solely needed to be clear to take the title. In a momentary lack of stability, Justin got here off the horse after a freestanding elevate. Fast reactions from Chiara saved her on and diminished the factors misplaced by the error.
They accomplished the check in spectacular fashion, however needed to look ahead to the ultimate scores to see if the slip had price them the title. Happily, they proved too sturdy for his or her opponents and clearly gained the category, with Alexandra Knauf and Max. They completed as the one pair with a remaining rating above 8.0 (8.341).
“It’s all the time particular to win a contest. Then it’s a World Cup Last; that’s wonderful, a brand new title for us; we weren’t capable of win that one but, after which flying to America and to make this wonderful journey can also be actually particular,” stated Van Gerven.
The Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Last has proved an unbelievable present of teamwork and horsemanship for all concerned. The primary Last out with Europe was an enormous success; nonetheless, the Germans have proven they imply enterprise and so they don’t seem like they’re keen to provide it up any time quickly.
by Joanne Littlejohn
