21 februari 2009

WC Final Gothenburg: Dutch drivers set the tone

Dutch drivers Koos de Ronde and IJsbrand Chardon have set the tone in tonight’s warm up round of the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. With his victory, Koos de Ronde got an excellent starting position in the Final in which he will start last. IJsbrand Chardon came second today and will enter the arena just before De Ronde in tomorrow’s Final.

The enthusiastic spectators in the Scandinavium witnessed an exiting battle for the World Cup Final starting order. One of the favourites for the title Boyd Exell made an unnecessary mistake and came third. Ijsbrand Chardon drove a fantastic clear round, but Koos de Ronde showed that it could be even faster. The reigning Dutch Champion beat Chardon’s time by three seconds. Title defender and last starter Christoph Sandmann from Germany made a mistake in the first marathon obstacle and will be the first starter tomorrow.

Koos de Ronde in his warm up round (photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen)

More pictures can be found here.

The Final is scheduled on Sunday 22 February at 17.15 hrs.

result warm up round FEI World Cup™ Driving Final in Gothenburg (Swe):
1. Koos de Ronde (Ned) 114,28 (0)
2. IJsbrand Chardon (Ned) 117,29 (0)
3. Boyd Exell (Aus) 123,98 (5)
4. Fredrik Persson (Swe) 134,11 (10)
5. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun) 134,48 (15)
6. Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 145.00 (15)