Steve Guerdat Makes History as First Triple Winner of CHI Geneva’s Top 10 Final

2023-12-09 23:15:17

Steve Guerdat became the first triple winner in the history of the prestigious Top 10 Final, the flagship event of the day on Friday at the CHI Geneva.

The 2023 European champion triumphed in the saddle of Venard de Cerisy, following having already won in 2010 with Jalisca and in 2018 on Alamo.

The Jura rider was the “slowest” among the three riders who went flawless in the first round behind Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz) and the defending champion Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward). The double Olympic champion put pressure on the Irishman and the Swede by signing a second course free of any errors, with a time of 48”13.

“A kid who keeps dreaming”

World No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann did not survive the shock, committing a fatal mistake and finishing in 2nd place. No. 10 in the rankings, Shane Sweetnam, also crashed at the end of the race, even committing two mistakes which dropped him to 6th place in the final ranking.

“It’s an extraordinary feeling“, said Steve Guerdat at the end of this ordeal. “Every victory here is exceptional, I’ve repeated it ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times. It’s just a dream come true. I’m a kid who keeps dreaming“, continued the 2012 Olympic champion.

Fuchs 5e

This prestigious event, however, is still refused to Martin Fuchs (5th), who competed in it for the fifth time. Riding Conner Jei, the Zurich rider lost any chance of winning in the first round by making two mistakes. He recovered perfectly with a second immaculate course, in vain.

Martin Fuchs will be one of the big favorites for the Grand Prix on Sunday with Leone Jei, which he has already won twice at Palexpo. He also remains on a Grand Slam success, at Spruce Meadows in September. Winner of the Geneva GP three times, Steve Guerdat will ride Dynamix in Belhême on Sunday.

ats/nm

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