And there it is: the Longines Global Champions Playoffs. For the Longines Global Champions League, Olivier (H&M Legend of Love) and Nicola (H&M Chilli Willi) ride with their teamThe London Knights. And let's add some extra excitement: Nicola's highleight takes place on Saturday, as he got selected for the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix!
2018 hasn’t come to an end yet, but we can already conclude that it was an exceptional year for our family. The Longines Global Champions Tour has been a success for both Nicola and Olivier. Nicola finished 3rd in the final ranking, after Ben Maher and Harrie Smolders.
The LGCT Final starts this Thursday in Prague, the de Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix takes place on Saturday. All the winners of the different LGCT 2018 competitions are gathered to compete once again. They need to ride two rounds and a jump-off. It’s worth the effort, since there’s a prize pot of €1,25 million.
“H&M Chilli Willi and I just came back from the Concours Hippique International in Geneva.” , says Nicola. “There’s no time to rest, as our next mission starts this Friday. Olivier, Martin Fuchs and I are participating in the semifinal of the teamcompetition, the top 6 goes to the final on Sunday. Even if we might be selected for the Super Cup Trofee, I won’t participate, because Chilli Willi and already jump in the big final on Saturday: the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix! This is really something to look forward to. I’m very excited and I have the ambition to end a beautiful season in a strong way.”.
The London Knights, Olivier and Nicola’s team, together with Ben Maher, Martin Fuchs & Emily Moffitt, proved strong and powerful throughout the whole LGCL season as they won 5 competitions (Chantilly, London, Shanghai, Madrid, Doha), took silver in another 3 (Monaco, Berlijn, Saint-Tropez) and placed bronze once (Cascais/Estoril).
16 teams got qualified for the LGCL playoffs. Eacht team can take 4 riders and 6 horses to Prague. The finals are split up in three: the quarter, the semi and the real final. The 4 best teams already qualified for the semifinal, so the London Knights only start on Friday in the semifinal. The 6 best teams are selected for the GCL Super Cup Trofee on Sunday.
“Our strength is continuance.”, says Olivier. “This weekend is supposed to be the highlight of the season. It’s the last game of the Longines Global Champions Tour 2018. I’m proud to ride together with my London Knights colleagues at the Playoffs. Based on this season’s results, we should definitely be able to place for the Super Cup Trofee. If not, there will be huge disappointment.”
