Ladies are a Brit special
By John Dickinson on 17th Sep 14
FOLLOWING a low-scoring, tense battle in the mountains of Andorra, the British Ladies squad eventually retained their FIM team title as they defeated arch-rivals Spain in the closest finish ever recorded in the womens Trial des Nations.
Emma Bristow, Becky Cook and Joanne Coles battled it out toe-to-toe with Sandra Gomez, Mireia Conde and Elisabet Solera over two laps of 15 sections on a steep, dry and dusty course in the mountains above St Julia in Andorra.
With the best two scores in each section to count the rivals ended the contest tied on 15 marks after two identical laps during which the two teams dropped 11 and four marks apiece.
It couldn't have been more tense.
The Spanish squad, aware that in such a close contest overall time could determine the winner, rode ahead of the British squad but in the end the clock wasn't needed.
The outcome was decided on the number of cleans with Emma, Becky and Jo having amassed 74 against the 73 for Sandra, Mireia and Elisabet.
The ladies contest is set out on the easy side to encourage the lesser nations as, with just the one route and 13 nations of varying degrees of skill and experience, the FIM wish to encourage all the women.
Britain and Spain lost just 15 marks but the last five squads all dropped in excess of 100 so the organisers did a good job in the circumstances.
Obviously, with Emma and Becky being the world's top two ladies, Britain would have preferred a tougher event in a contest they started as clear favourites.
But with the eased sections it obviously made it more difficult for them to get away from their rivals and the Spanish trio rode to their strengths.
The German squad, which eventually finished a clear third, was also making a real go of it, especially on the opening lap when their 13-mark total was just two adrift of the leading duo.
However, the Germas – Ina Wilde, Sarah Bauer and the 16-year-old hot prospect Theresa Bauml – just lost contact late in the second lap after reaching the ninth section for just one mark, equal to Britain, with Spain clean at that point on the lap.
France finished fourth with the experienced Sandrine Juffet and Maryline Journet and Pauling Masanes just holding off neighbours Italy, the scores 33 to 38 respectively. The French just got the better of the Italians, led by Sara Trentini – who contested this year's Scottish Six Days – on the opening circuit, 20 marks against 25, while the Italians held their own as the two national teams scored 13 marks apiece second time round.
Kate Callaghan and Michelle Hanlon battled round gamely for Ireland to finish 12th ahead of Denmark whose two-girl team also found the Andorran going tough.
With teams from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan making the long jouney to Europe to compete, the women's game is definitely on the up – with Great Britain setting the pace.
Well done ladies...
