Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat ensured a Swiss win in the Longines FEI World Cup in Gothenburg. He snatched the win of Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. In front of a sold-out Scandinavium Guerdat sealed the deal on Albfuehren's Paille (Kannan) also taking the overall win in the Western European League with his top result. The talented home rider Douglas Lindelöw opened the jump-off on Casello (Casall x Carolus I), but unfortunately had one down. Nevertheless it was enough to qualify him for the final in Las Vegas. Judy-Ann Melchior went on to produce a clear jump-off on As Cold as Ice Z (Artos Z x Carthago Z), eventually a round good enough for fifth place. Pius Schwizer and Gerco Schröder both had one rail down each – and then it was time for the champion. Steve Guerdat entered the ring, and when he crossed the finish line clear on a fantastic jumping Paille – after a great turn after the third fence – the clock showed 43.13 and the Swedish crowds cheered him on as he was their own as he took over the lead. The temperature rose as Rolf entered the ring on Casall Ask (Caretino x Lavall I), and although he tried his best he could not keep up with Steve and slotted into second with a time of 43.49. The atmosphere was not disturbed though and the roof lifted in Scandinavium. Marco Kutscher had an unlucky turn after the third fence as Cornet's Cristallo (Cornet Obolensky x Pilot) stumbled and lost time – slotting into third with a time of 43.89 seconds. Jur Vrieling went for a medium fast round and ended fourth on VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P (Mr. Blue x Voltaire) well over a second behind the winner, while Henrik von Eckermann (Cento x Cash) later took the sixth place with Cantinero after a steady clear round – the last of the day. Maikel van der Vleuten, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Kevin Staut all had to see rails fall – Kevin being the fastest and ending up seventh.
