There’s Bern’ly anything between them

The atmosphere intensified in the Post finance arena, Bern (SUI) for the second day of the FEI Vaulting World Championship. Only hundredths of points separate the top competitors keeping anticipation high ahead of the final rounds. 

The power of the horse was the deciding factor in the Squad competition, which saw team Germany see off French and Swiss rivals to win the round on 8.166. Ecuador 28 lunged by Alexandra Knauf was clearly scored as the best horse outscoring the next by at least 0.5. The French team had some uncharacteristic errors, particularly with their stands, which affected their score and left them in second place (8.056). Only just behind France and with a powerful set of compulsories the all-female Swiss squad showed their quality taking the third spot with 7.904.

The men’s Technical Test was a masterclass. One after the other they entered and commanded the arena. Thomas Brϋsewitz was the first to level up the difficulty. In combination with excellent technical exercises he took the lead momentarily, scoring 8.378 for the test, 8.462 final score, retaining his third place from day one.

Theo Gardies went just ahead, 8.396, in the technical program and 8.524 overall, but he stays in second place after teammate Quentin Jabet stunned the audience and judges alike. With artistic highlights and an incredibly difficult routine he won the test and the round with a total score of 8.662.

For the females it was a similar story with a slightly different ending. Alice Layher, the young German vaulter, won the test (8.395) after displaying near perfect technical elements. It wasn’t quite enough to place her in the top three after round one, (8.286), but it is so close it doesn’t matter. 

A minor error in her backwards stand dropped Switzerland’s Nadja Bϋttiker into third overall, 8.328, allowing both Alina Ross (GER) and Eva Nagiller (AUT) to overtake. They both had difficult, well executed routines and finished in second (8.340) and first place (8.348) respectively. A thrilling prospect for Austria.

The final round is worth half the total score, and it is worth noting that Illona Hannich (SUI) is still very much in contention. She occupies 5th place currently on 8.189. In any case the pressure is even greater now as it is likely that whoever performs best in Saturday’s Free Test will take home the gold.

FEI European Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters

Stalwart, Sam dos Santos displayed his signature style even in the compulsory test of the FEI European Championship. Rising to the top of the Junior Male table, despite a minor balance issue in executing his stand, he showed he is here to earn the Netherlands another gold medal, clearly out in front scoring 8.334, aboard Doemaar with Jinte Pierik lunging. 

Jakub Roguski gave Poland their first overnight podium position in this Championship. He currently sits in second place, 8.052. Completing the top three Junior Males is Lukas Heitmann from Germany (7.997). He is small but mighty and very neat.

The Junior Female Free Tests were superb. The Danish superstar, Josephine Vedel Sondergaard Nielsen extended her lead after an effortless performance of a high-level routine. She scored 8.733 in the Free Test and has an interim final score of 8.340. Poland’s Roksana Naumiuk delivered power and intrigue in her performance earning an 8.524 for the test and bringing her into fifth place overnight (7.953). 

Nora Sandberg Mϋller (SWE) improved her position, leap-frogging Germany’s Amari Santamaria Diaz she now sits in second (7.987) with Santamaria Diaz coming in third 7.968.  There was big movement within the Female competition and with the final Free Test round worth 50% the podium is far from decided.

As the atmosphere within the stadium rose, competition nerves led to unnecessary errors and some falls from the vaulters. The top three are clear of the rest of the field by 0.5, which is a huge margin to make up in the final round. British sisters Milly and Evie Jessett had some dazzle in their routine and used their individual strengths to their advantage earning a 7.645 and an exciting overnight third place. 

Germany currently occupies both top two spots. After a creative and dynamic routine, Felix Wöhe and Greta Helene Liebig are in second place (7.734) but teammates Arne Heers and Mia Bury have the lead by far.  They performed elegantly in sync scoring 8.268, and, barring disaster, they are on course to win the title tomorrow. 

There are medals to be won tomorrow in the Senior squad and Junior Pas de Deux. It will certainly be a matter of controlling the nerves of the athletes as the crowd becomes increasingly electric and the prospect of glory much more tangible.

FULL RESULTS