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Janika Sprunger had a strong start to the Olympic year. The 36-year-old delivered a promising performance with her ten-year-old mare Orelie during the World Jumping Championships at her home tournament CHI Basel. Thanks to two clear rounds, the bidder from Basel finished in second place and scored points for the first time at this World Cup. “For me it feels like a victory,” said Sprunger.
She uses a lot of luck on the first lap when Orelie hits a pole on the oxer – the third to last obstacle on the course – but it falls back into its holder and remains standing. Sprunger’s relieved expression afterwards speaks volumes.
Together with seven other riders she reaches the jump-off, but there she rides to zero and not to victory because her young mare is still inexperienced in these decisive rounds. Another Swiss rider provides a big surprise: Sasha Barthe from Geneva impresses during her World Cup debut with her own horse Essenar High Hopes. In the jump-off, the 30-year-old recorded two drops and finished seventh.
Pieter Devos wins with a double clear and the faster time as a jumper. Thanks to these points, the Belgian will definitely advance to the World Cup final in mid-April in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The best 18 riders from the Western European League qualify for this highlight.
Martin Fuchs in 14th place and Steve Guerdat in 15th in the interim rankings are still close, but should score points in one of the two remaining qualifying tournaments. In Basel, both top riders missed the jump-off, Fuchs by two and Guerdat by three.
Sprunger, on the other hand, is not aiming for final qualification. Her husband, world number 1 Henrik von Eckermann, currently leads the World Cup rankings and will start. At least in Basel, Sprunger put the Swedes in their place and set an example.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
