25 November 2016
Stockholm: Pole position for Boyd Exell
Reigning World Champion Boyd Exell has won the first competition of the FEI World Cup™ Driving in Stockholm this evening. Despite one knock down, Boyd stayed far ahead of his five opponents. Wild card competitor Fredrik Persson was the first starter and put down a nice and safe round, which resulted in the second place, ahead of József Dobrovitz.
Boyd Exell
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
Swedish course designer Dan Henriksson had laid out a course with three marathon obstacles, which did not leave room for much speed. The many enthusiastic spectators in the impressive Friends Arena however did enjoy the competition very much, including the spectacular fireworks at the finish line.
Bad luck
Bad luck for World Cup debutant Edouard Simonet . The Belgian driver hit an element in the first marathon obstacle and the jury rang the bell to rebuild the course. After Simonet received the sign to re-start, he continued his route as planned, but should have started at gate A and was eliminated. The jury and his fellow competitors however allowed him to enter the arena as soon as the last competitor had left to drive the complete course, out of competition of course.
József Dobrovitz jr. had to drive without his experienced leader horse Conversano Cselentano, who had not passed the horse inspection this morning. With another set of leader horses than he had planned originally, he still finished on the fourth place, ahead of Rainer Duen from Germany who had four knock downs.
The FEI World Cup™ Driving competition is scheduled for Sunday evening at 20.15 hrs.
Results first competition FEI World Cup™ Driving Stockholm:
- Boyd Exell (AUS) 142,75 (5)
- Fredrik Persson (SWE) 151,22 (5)
- József Dobrovitz (HUN) 157,23 (10)
- József Dobrovitz jr. (HUN) 167,26 (5)
- Rainer Duen (GER) 179,58 (20)
- Edouard Simonet (BEL) EL
