Gregory Wathelet Bond Jamesbond de Hay
Photo Kim C Lundin
Gregory Wathelet (BEL) claims victory in the opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2024-2025, Western European League in Oslo (NOR). The athlete and his horse Bond Jamesbond de Hay, were the only combination to complete a clear round in the jump-off. Edouard Schmitz (SUI) with Gamin van’t Naastveldhof secured second place, while Julien Gonin (FRA) with Valou de Lys took the third place. Both riders incurred 4 penalties due to a pole down, but Schmitz’s time of 43.10 seconds was nearly a full second faster than Gonin’s (44.19 seconds).
Out of the 40 athletes competing today, only 4 advanced to the jump-off. Dutch rider Mans Thijssen, the final competitor in the jump-off, retired after his horse showed tension, finishing 4th overall.
The Finn Aura Vasama started the World Cup season well in Oslo. The 21-year-old Vasama jumped the 160 cm course on Canto Bruno with four faults. She finnished 14th and opened her World Cup points account.
“I came a little close at the fence,” said Vasama. “It was on tough track for the first World Cup of the season.”
Her coach Vincent Voorn was also pleased with Vasama’s riding, which went according to plan.
“I’m looking forward to getting home to compete. There is more atmosphere in Helsinki than in Oslo”.
Riders coming to Helsinki took many places in the top ten at the Oslo World Cup. Mans Thijssen was fourth, Yuri Mansur fifth, Peder Fredricson seventh, Donald Whitaker eighth, Philip Rüping ninth and Kevin Staut tenth.
The next Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ competition will be in Helsinki Ice Hall on Sunday 27th October at 2 PM Finnish time.
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