Vaulting: Nations closing ranks

The compulsory test in the first stage of the vaulting competition clearly showed that the results of the top teams are closing ranks. The days when the medal-winning nations could already be determined before the competition had started are long gone. In the team classification five nations still have a chance of taking gold, silver or bronze. The German vaulting group (Neuss-Grimlinghausen) is lying in first place with 7.183 points after the compulsory test, followed closely by the Austrians (7.169), who won the CVI in Stadl Paura a few weeks ago. The Swiss team is currently third (6.789) ahead of the reigning European Champions from Slovakia (6.691). They had a rather unfortunate start to the competition, since their horse Flash didn't pass the vet check, which meant they had to resort to their replacement horse Robin Purina. The US American group demonstrated their good form: Presently ranking fifth (6.647) the team is being supported by Devon Maitozo. The 1998 World Champion is no longer competing in the men's individual classification, but instead as a member of the US team. This has been made possible for the first time this year, since the FEI have abolished the age limit of the group members.

The French vaulter, Matthias Lang, the World Champion of 2002, is in the lead after the compulsory programme in the individual men's competition (8.107), followed closely by his German "constant rival" and reigning World Champion, Kai Vorberg (8.096). The effects of the new calculation modus introduced last year are becoming clearly evident at the WEG in Aachen: The score for the horse now accounts for 20 percent of the overall score. Whereas Kai Vorberg was awarded a higher score for the execution of the compulsory elements, Matthias Lang received the notedly higher score for the horse. The mark for the horse could thus be very decisive in the ultimate ranking of the medals.

The situation is similar in the ladies' competition: Since taking second place at the CVI in Munich a few weeks ago, the US American, Megan Benjamin is considered to be a top medal candidate. Whereas the American vaulter received the highest score by far for the horse, the German vaulter Ines Jückstock achieved the best result for the technical execution. After the compulsory test, the American is holding the lead with a score of 8.015 and Ines Jückstock is lying in second place (7.967). Today's freestlye test brings the first classification to a close.

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