Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee secured victory on Saturday, September 26, in one of the most outstanding events of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Vienna. The German equestrian signed the fastest time in the CSI5* tie-break round, held at 1.50 meters, in a unique setting next to Schönbrunn Palace.
The test saw a very competitive first round, with a total of fifteen pairs qualified for the playoffs. With numerous unpenalized runs and some of the most prominent names in international ski jumping competing for the top spots, the timing clock proved to be decisive.
Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo initially raised the bar by completing a flawless run in 37.94 seconds. However, shortly afterwards it was Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee's turn, who significantly lowered that benchmark with a very fast and precise run.
The German and Chao Lee crossed the finish line without penalty in 36.42 seconds, a time that none of the following participants managed to beat. Eckermann thus added a new international victory alongside a mare with whom he maintains a long sporting career and which, as he explained after the race, was born in his father's facilities.
The second position went to the Belgian Nathan Budd alongside Ely des Rosiers Z. The duo also completed a double zero and stopped the timer at 37.76 seconds, leaving more than a second behind the time set by Eckermann.
The podium was completed by Gudrun Patteet and Baron – RR Z. The Belgian athlete returned all the obstacles in her place in the final and finished third with a time of 37.89 seconds.
The competition of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Vienna will continue this Sunday, September 27, with the Grand Prix, which will conclude an international jumping weekend at the Palace of Schönbrunn.
