World Cup jumping of the CSI Basel
Pius Schwizer is a strong third
Although he is “not keen on the final”, Pius Schwizer scores as third place in the World Cup competition of the CSI Basel. The 60-year-old prefers to schedule his stallion Vancouver de Lanlore for the pending Olympic qualification.
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It wasn’t quite enough for first place, but the veteran Pius Schwizer is still satisfied with his 3rd place in the CSI Basel World Cup competition.
Nicole VandenbrouckIce hockey reporter
Pius Schwizer and Edouard Schmitz are under pressure. They are the last riders in the jump-off of the CSI Basel World Cup competition. And all five competitors who started in front of the two Swiss have again completed a zero lap.
Not a thing for veteran Schwizer, who has a run with his stallion Vancouver de Lanlore. The 60-year-old finds the balance between risk and an optimal line. He remains flawless, but does not beat the time set by winner and dominator Henrik von Eckermann (Sd) and second-placed Marcus Ehning (De) and ends up in 3rd place. “I haven’t ridden many better horses,” says Schwizer about Vancouver de Lanlore.
Only the Swiss youngster Schmitz (23) can push him off the podium. On his gelding Gamin van’t Naastveldhof he takes full risks and is well on the way to a top time – until the pole falls in the oxer in the double combination. He is not sufficiently rewarded for his courage, Schmitz is seventh.
“I’m not so keen on the final”
What does that mean for the interim ranking of the World Cup qualification? Schwizer collects points for the first time, is in 37th place and will compete in the World Cup tournament in Leipzig (De) next weekend. But he says: “I’m not so keen on the final.” The reason: He is looking further ahead, prioritizing the upcoming Olympic qualification for Paris 2024, for which he is planning the stallion. Schmitz, who has now scored for the fourth time, sees it similarly. With 18 points, he is in 32nd place. As a reminder, the top 18 in the Western European League qualify for the World Cup finals in April.
Martin Fuchs is lucky that he is already seeded as the defending champion. Because he is not doing well on Leone Jei, after two mistakes he breaks off the course. And Steve Guerdat, the final regular, who urgently needs points for the qualification? The challenge is still too great for his ten-year-old stallion Double Jeu d’Honvault, he finishes the round with 30 fault points and comes last. As the best Swiss in the interim ranking (21st), his chances for the final are still intact, but he needs a good placement in the remaining qualifying tournaments.