News
11 February 2024
Germans clinch victory at series-opener in Abu Dhabi
Team Germany made history when becoming the very first winners in the brand new Longines League of Nations series at the edge-of-the-seat opening leg at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates today where Ireland finished second ahead of Sweden in third.
As the number-one ranked team in the world the Irish had the best of the draw and so were last to go in the first round. And they made the most of that advantage when clears from McAuley, Howley and Mikey Pender (HHS Calais) left them on a zero scoreline at the halfway stage ahead of Sweden and Germany on four, Switzerland and Brazil on eight, the UAE - who were not counting points but were competing as host nation - on 11 faults, and Great Britain and USA on 12 apiece.
The Netherlands, France and Belgium lost out when only these top eight teams went through to the second round, and with only three riders per nation this time out and every score counting the intensity increased at a rapid rate.
The Americans completed with 28 faults on the board, the British finished with 36 and the UAE racked up an additional 35 to drop out of contention on a final total of 46. With just 12 to add Team Brazil finished with 20 and double-faults from both Elian Baumann (Little Lumpi E) and Barbara Schnieper (Canice) settled the Swiss tally at 24.