Critical points battle as 2015 championship final unfolds
The 2015 final of the Longines Global Champions Tour is set to be one of the most exciting climaxes to any season in the history of the series. The critical points battle that will unfold at the top of the ranking leader board will deliver a thrilling finale with three leading riders in contention for the overall crown. Here is a special insight into the fierce jostling for points that will take place when the curtain goes up on the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix this Saturday.
World number 1 and current leader Scott Brash (GBR) currently sits at the top of the leaderboard, and will make history if he is able to take his third consecutive title – a feat that’s never been achieved before on the Longines Global Champions Tour. Luciana Diniz (POR) is the next highest rank leader, sitting just two points away from Scott, and will be fighting to take her first Longines Global Champions Tour title. Two-time Silver Olympic Medallist Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) is the final rider who has the potential to take the title, having come runner up twice before.
Up and down the Ranking board there is the potential for high drama and world class action as the top showjumpers in the world compete at the magnificent AL SHAQAB stadium. Only the riders’ top eight scores throughout the season will be counted, meaning that the greatest number of points possible will be high on the agenda for the Grand Prix. With a bonus of €1 million on offer for the top 18 ranked riders, as well as the €450,000 Grand Prix of Doha prize fund, there’s everything to play for in this final round of exhilarating competition.
Calculation for Scott Brash
To win the 2015 LGCT title: As long as Rolf is not 1st, Scott has to be finish in a minimum of 6th position and better placed then Luciana.
Calculation for Luciana Diniz
To win the 2015 LGCT title: As long as Rolf is not 1st, Luciana has to finish in a minimum of 5th position and better placed then Scott.
Calculation for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
To win the 2015 LGCT title: Rolf has to win the Grand Prix of Doha, with Scott and Luciana in 4th or lower.
In brief therefore, if Scott or Luciana are placed 5th or higher, the best rank will decide the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour title. If Rolf wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha, Scott and Luciana must be 4th or higher to take the Champion of Champions Crown, or he can claim the title.
Further down the ranking board there is opportunity for more drama and potential for change. Simon Delestre (FRA) and Christian Ahlmann (GER) are currently in 4th and 5th place, however will be unable to improve on their ranking position. However the next five riders, Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT), John Whitaker (GBR), Pénélope Leprevost (FRA), Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Lauren Hough (USA) are separated by just a few points and have the chance to move up and down the leaderboard.
For a full chart of the current points standings, the potential number of points a rider can achieve this weekend, and the possible movement, please see below:
For a full ranking list, please click here. >>
Source: press release
