24 September 2017
Lipica: Miha Tavčar wins marathon
At the FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs, today was the day of the marathon competition, which is the most attractive and demanding competition of this four-day-equestrian event. After two days Martin Hölle is still in the lead.
Miha Tavcar
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
After the 5-kilometre-long phase A, drivers faced the 8 obstacles, including the water obstacle. The marathon was won by the Slovenian driver Miha Tavčar. The second place went to Stan van Eijk (NED), who was only 0,19 points behind the winner and on the third place is Martin Hölle (HUN). The marathon was long and difficult and the ground was deep and sticky, and that cost the horses a lot of power.
After the dressage and marathon, Martin Hölle (HUN) is still in the lead. Joszef Dibak (ITA) is 11,22 points behind the young Hungarian and that means a difference of more than three balls. The difference between Beat Schenk (SUI) and Sebastian Warneck on the third and fourth place is very small. The 2015 World Champion Vilmos Lazar (HUN) is in the sixth place in front of Lars Schwitte (GER) on the seventh plce. They are only two knockdowns behind the second- placed driver.
In the Nations ranking, Hungary is still in the lead but with only about six points advantage to Germany. France is on the third place, but Switzerland is very close behind, with only 0.8 points difference.
Many spectators watched this exiting competition and it was a really good atmosphere at the Lipica Stud Farm.
Tomorrow’s cone driving will bring the final decision, starting at 8:30 in the main arena.
