„Ciao ragazzi“, Lorenzo de Luca takes off!
Press release – It was the top class of the day, the new feature of the 2017 edition, the Constance Le Prince Maurice | Office du Tourisme de l’Île Maurice | Air Mauritius Trophy, that has officially marked the twinning between the Jumping of Cannes and that of Mauritius to be held in January 2018.
A partnership that is close to the heart of François Bourey, organiser of both competitions and whose objective is to develop equestrian sport in the archipelago. 13 numbered obstacles, 16 jumps to be made, this class with a jump-off saw the World’s best confront each other in order to obtain that key to the door : A ticket to ride at the International Show Jumping of Mauritius combined with a week’s holiday to discover and enjoy this corner of paradise in the Indian ocean.
8th to go, Frenchman Simon Delestre with Chesall Zimequest signed the first clear round and showed his adversaries how to get the better of the course. Following him, for Ireland, Darragh Kenny/ Chanel and, for Spain, Sergio Alvarez Moya/ G&C Unicstar de l’Aumone left all the poles in the cups and went even faster, so qualifying themselves for the jump-off. A technical course, number three, a spread fence coming out of a turn required plenty of rhythm to successfully negotiate the double composed of an upright and spread just four strides later. Victims included Daniel Deusser the World n°2, Scott Brash the World n°6 and only 12 riders out of the 53 starters made it through to the jump-off. Cheered by fans, the riders didn’t hesitate to take risks, tightening curves in order to win. Always more daring, the Italian Lorenzo de Luca, current leader on the LGCT ranking list, allowed himself to remove strides and crossed the finish line at 37”46. He remained unbeaten, under 38” ahead of Darragh Kenny (IRL) et Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami (KSA).
Opening the evening, the BMW Bayern Avenue Cannes Trophy saw the best 27 riders in the 1*CSI battling it out over a 1.40m course. Uliano Vezzani, the course designer for this event and the Global Champions Tour, known for his enormous respect towards the horses, and his clear vision of the sport, put together an up to height first round that allowed 17 to qualify for the jump-off. It was this second part of this class and notably the last jump, coming out of a corner and close to the exit that really tested competitors. Even yesterdays’ winners, the Belgian Ignace Philips (the 1.35m Urban Heritage Trophy) and the local rider, Melanie Lemoine Jondet (Direction des Sports de la Ville de Cannes Trophy) dropped a pole. And as talent doesn’t rhyme with age, the Cannes audience were able to witness the young American, Lilli Hymowitz, running away with victory under the noses of her elders. With Verdi III, she jumped the round in 36’’76, leaving behind her the Swede, Jannike West/Deauville van Overis Z and the darling of the Cannes crowds, the actor Guillaume Canet/Babeche, who were respectively 2nd and 3rd.
Earlier in the day, the 1.15m Cannes Riviera Trophy saw a dozen of the 27 starters qualify for the jump-off. A fast clear round by the decidedly on-form Patricia Bardon Planchat (FRA) left no one in any doubt of the winner. A cosmopolitan podium, with 2nd for Venezuela and Gustavo Mirabal/G and C Jartrum, and Israel in 3rd, represented by Jacqueline Felber/California de Laubry.
Next, in the 1.30m GBS Sellier Trophy, Belgium was crowned, thanks to Michael van den Bosch who gave the best performance out of the thirty eight riders entered. Vincent Bartin (FRA) was runner up associated with Jackson d’Ouzo and Claire Beecroft (GBR) 3rd, riding Vanda Cartier.
Tomorrow, make way for the phenomenal Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix de Cannes – Île Maurice and the second round of the Global Champions League! From 10pm onwards, the twenty-five riders who have qualified will be lining up to take the start on the sand in the magnificent arena of the Hespérides stadium.
Source: press release
