St Tropez Pirates dream team of Pieter Devos and Julien Epaillard pulled of their second consecutive win at the GCL Hamburg dramatically narrowing the lead of Shanghai Swans in the overall team championship ranking. The Pirates fought off attacks from Miami Celtics’ Shane Breen and William Whitaker who finished in second with RMF Cadeau de Muze and Ipswich van de Wolfsakker, and an impressive effort from Paris Panthers’ pairing of U25 rider Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar with Pumped up Kicks and Lucifer who took third today. A delighted Olivier of the Pirates said “It was a wonderful afternoon, and i’m so happy to be with Pieter today and this year. There are only a few points difference between us [and the Swans], but it’s very difficult so we’ll have to see.” Teammate Pieter Devos agreed their unique pairing was a strong element for their team: “I’m very happy with Olivier who’s new in our team this year, and the second time he rides with us. We’re proud this is the second time we win here too - it’s a fantastic venue here with a great crowd, so we’re very happy to win here." As the sun shone in the green and lush arena, with families filling every inch of the grassy viewing back and grandstands. German course designer Frank Rothenberger produced a twisting flowing course, with a tight time allowed of 86s ensuring riders needed to push on to finish within the marker. The first fence, a huge Longines oxer required plenty of scope from the off, and the second fence, another big Ide Kaffee oxer was quick to fall if not given enough respect while riders galloped to get ahead of the time and soon became a fence to watch. Other challenges included the sunflower lined yellow and white double, another double set next to the packed out grandstands, a lighthouse flanked red plank set towards the in-gate and a wide GCL oxer to finish. With many teams often opting for a steady clear in terms of strategy, the crucial time allowed would add an element of drama into the mix.
