28 September 2014
Izsák: Gold for Wilbrord van den Broek and the German team
Wilbrord van den Broek has won the individual gold medal at the FEI World Single Driving Championship in Izsák, Hungary. He won dressage, he was on the second place after marathon within a ball from the first place and he stayed clear in cones. Silver and bronze medals were won by German drivers Claudia Lauterbach and Marlen Fallak.
Van den Broek drove a double clear round and after an individual bronze medal two years ago in Portugal, he won the gold this time.
As second last driver to enter the arena, he knew that there was only a little difference between him and the previous driver Claudia Lauterbach. He was focused and drove a tight and fast course without having any risk, knowing he had the time under control. The last driver on course was Renaud Vinck(FRA) who still had the chance to win the gold medal only if he stayed clear on course and in time. However, he started off slowly and carefully after which, it was clear that he would not make the time. When a ball from cone number 15 fell down, it was obvious that Wilbrord van den Broek is the new World Champion.
With 7.50 penalties in cones, Renaud Vinck could not finish any better than fourth, which meant that Marlen Fallak(GER) who competed at her first championship ever in Izsák, finished third just behind her compatriot Claudia Lauterbach.
The German team won the team gold medal with 266,93. France finished second with 269,87 and Switzerland third with 273,82.
