Vaulting starts
“This is exactly the kind of scene, you want, when you want to show vaulting to the world”. Former vaulting world champion, Joanne Eccles, are excited about the vaulting-venue in Jyske Bank Boxen, where the championship-titles either will find a new home or stay where they are over the next five days of competition at the ECCO FEI World Championships. The spectators will be sitting like in an amphitheatre looking down on the arena from three sides.
“This is not just an arena. This is a stage. And it’s brilliant”, Joanne Eccles says.
A show-like feeling
American vaulter, Daniel Janes, agrees with Joanne and is looking very much forward to his first run into the arena tomorrow, in the individual competition for men at 17.30 CET.
“I am really excited about the venue. Even though it is grand, the organisers still managed to create an intimate feeling, when you are in the arena”, he says. “And I really like the lighting, which gives the competition sort of a show-feeling and really puts the sport right in the spotlight”.
Even though the vaulters are used to big championships, it has been a while since they have competed in a setting like the one in Jyske Bank Boxen, and they are all looking forward to the first day of competition.
The puzzle is complete
Even though two horses did not pass horse inspection, all the vaulters will be on the starting lists in the next days. Columbian vaulters Juan Marin Clavijo and Estiven Palacio Hernandes will be competing on a French horse and a Dutch horse. While Belgian female competitor, Lauren Venlerberghe, will be competing on a Danish horse.
It is a special thing for the vaulting world, that you can have the opportunity to borrow a horse from another nation, than your own. And it says a lot about the sport, that it is possible to help each other out, if the vaulters find themselves without a horse.
Fantastic sport in sight
Tomorrow will be the first day of competition for the individuals and squads. And on Sunday the Pas de Deux will have their first day in the arena. Monday is the grand finale for the individuals and the squads before we head into the Nations Cup on Wednesday and the Pas de Deux finals.
/Herning2022