Final

WORLD PAIRS FINAL

The early heats saw hosts Russia collect 4 points along with England and Poland before Russia put themselves in a powerful position with a 5-1 over America. England joined them at the top with a maximum against Poland and after a round of heats each the two sides led the way with a 3 point margin.

Russia maintained their charge with a 5-1 against Sweden in heat 8 as England could only manage a drawn heat against Denmark, a score which Russia matched against former champions Norway leaving the English needing a good result against America in heat 14. Surprisingly the American pair flew away with the race to mean with 2 races left for each nation Russia led on 17 points with England, Poland and Norway all on 13.

Russia could all but put the title in their pockets if they could take a maximum against Poland in heat 15 but in the end they had to settle for a drawn heat to maintain their 4 point lead over the Poles. Norway kept battling with 4 points in the next before England and Russia met in heat 18. The basic facts were that a drawn heat for the Russians would guarantee them the title. The Russian manager sprang somewhat of a surprise by using his reserve and for the first time in the meeting and it paid dividends as he picked up third place in a 4-2 result which gave the host nation the World Pairs title. There was still a battle for the other medals with Norway, Poland and England in the mix. Poland could only take a point from heat 20 before the other sides met in the final race where a tied heat gave Norway silver and saw England have just enough to take bronze.

For Russia Nikita Fedorenko was imperious and made it clear he sees himself as a genuine world class performer, alongside him Oleg Yelesnev gave good early support and Denis Gomozov showed his quality to come in and add a point too. Hans E Bergestol fought a fairly lonely battle for Norway to ensure they once again impressed in the World Pairs and England were arguably the most solid pair of the afternoon but neither of their riders hit double figures and it cost them. For the rest Irzyk, Levin and Antunovich impressed but each sided suffered some misfortune which cost them a chance of picking up a medal.

So surprise winners perhaps but with Moscow continuing to dominate in Europe and so many good young riders coming through the Russians took advantage of riding in their home country to be deserving winners.

RUSSIA 24

1. Nikita Fedorenko.......... 1 3 2* 3 3 3 15+1

2. Oleg Yelesnev............. 3 2* 3 0 0 - 8+1

3. Denis Gomozov............. 1 - - - - - 1

NORWAY 20

1. Hans E Bergestol.......... 2 3 2 3 3 3 16

2. Olle Bjorn Thoresen....... 0 1 1* 1 1 0 4+1

3. Rudi Juritzen............. Did not ride

ENGLAND 18

1. Liam Reay................. 3 3 1* 0 0 2 9+1

2. Nick Ambrose.............. 1 2* 2 1 2 1* 9+2

3. Hayden Wood............... Did not ride

POLAND 17

1. Boguslaw Kryznowek........ 3 R 0 2* 1* 0 6+2

2. Gabrys Irzyk.............. 1 1 3 3 2 1 11

3. Maciej Tercjak............ Did not ride

SWEDEN 17

1. Sven Svensson............. 0 1* 0 2 1 2* 6+2

2. Lennart Levin............. 2 2 1 N2 3 3 11

3. Erik Davidsson............ 0 - - - - - 0

AMERICA 17

1. Braxton McChesney......... R 2 1* 3 R 1 7+1

2. Ricky Antunovich.......... 1 F 2 2* 2 3 10+1

3. Billie-Ray Campo.......... Did not ride

DENMARK 13

1. Henrik Hansen............. 2 3 0 1 0 0 6

2. Jens Isaksen.............. 0 0 3 0 2 2 7

3. Steen Eriksen............. Did not ride

No. Results

1: Oleg Yelesnev, Henrik Hansen, Nikita Fedorenko, Jens Isaksen

2: Liam Reay, Lennart Levin, Nick Ambrose, Sven Svensson

3: Boguslaw Kryznowek, Hans E Bergestol, Gabrys Irzyk, Olle Bjorn Thoresen

4: Nikita Fedorenko, Oleg Yelesnev, Ricky Antunovich, Braxton McChesney (R)

5: Henrik Hansen, Lennart Levin, Sven Svensson, Jens Isaksen

6: Liam Reay, Nick Ambrose, Gabrys Irzyk, Boguslaw Kryznowek (R)

7: Hans E Bergestol, Braxton McChesney, Olle Bjorn Thoresen, Ricky Antunovich (F)

8: Oleg Yelesnev, Nikita Fedorenko, Lennart Levin, Sven Svensson

9: Jens Isaksen, Nick Ambrose, Liam Reay, Henrik Hansen

10: Gabrys Irzyk, Ricky Antunovich, Braxton McChesney, Boguslaw Kryznowek

11: Nikita Fedorenko, Hans E Bergestol, Olle Bjorn Thoresen, Oleg Yelesnev

12: Gabrys Irzyk, Boguslaw Kryznowek, Henrik Hansen, Jens Isaksen

13: Hans E Bergestol, Sven Svensson, Olle Bjorn Thoresen, Erik Davidsson

14: Braxton McChesney, Ricky Antunovich, Nick Ambrose, Liam Reay

15: Nikita Fedorenko, Gabrys Irzyk, Boguslaw Kryznowek, Oleg Yelesnev

16: Hans E Bergestol, Jens Isaksen, Olle Bjorn Thoresen, Henrik Hansen

17: Lennart Levin, Ricky Antunovich, Sven Svensson, Braxton McChesney (R)

18: Nikita Fedorenko, Nick Ambrose, Denis Gomozov, Liam Reay

19: Ricky Antunovich, Jens Isaksen, Braxton McChesney, Henrik Hansen

20: Lennart Levin, Sven Svensson, Gabrys Irzyk, Boguslaw Kryznowek

21: Hans E Bergestol, Liam Reay, Nick Ambrose, Olle Bjorn Thoresen