When Switzerland wins at home, Gründenmoos holds its breath

Switzerland claimed victory in the St. Gallen Nations Cup on home soil this afternoon, finishing ahead of Austria and Great Britain. It was anything but a procession: tension, rails, a Jack Whitaker who could still have turned everything upside down, and, in the end, the Swiss lifting for the 13th time their Nations Cup trophy. Jason Smith and Picobello van’t Roosakker signed the standout performance of the day.

St. Gallen: fondue under pressure

Some victories arrive neatly wrapped, ironed to perfection and delivered with a ribbon attached. Then there are victories like this one. Switzerland won its St. Gallen Nations Cup the way teams win tricky matches: gritting their teeth, keeping one eye on the clock, and waiting for the final rival to decide whether the celebrations could actually begin.

At Gründenmoos, Martin Fuchs, Jason Smith, Alain Jufer and Steve Guerdat delivered to Peter van der Waaij a home win. The kind of success that lifts the team, delights the crowd, and justifies the sea of red-and-white Swiss flags that certainly didn’t come to cheer for Austria.

Jason Smith, the quiet boss

The first round hardly looked like a postcard-perfect Swiss afternoon. Martin Fuchs and Lorde picked up two faults in the triple combination. Alain Jufer and Dante MM added four penalties Steve Guerdat and Albführen’s Iashin Sitte did the same after lowering the opening fence. In other words, the mood was very much: “let’s make life difficult before dessert.”

Then Jason Smith entered with Picobello van’t RoosakkerClear round. Then another one in the second round. For a first home Nations Cup appearance, it is hard to imagine a cleaner performance, unless someone had ironed the arena flags between rounds. His own summary said it all: « We gave everything, and Picobello was exceptional. Riding him is a dream. »

Fuchs puts the church back in the middle of the paddock

In the second round, Martin Fuchs reset the Swiss campaign with a faultless performance. The hosts could breathe a little easier. Not completely, though. Because in St. Gallen, nobody seemed interested in making things simple.

Alain Jufer had the crowd holding its breath after faulting at the final questions of the course, while Steve Guerdat picked up a single time penalty. Not enough to trigger a national emergency, but enough to leave Jack Whitaker and Great Britain lurking in the role of the neighbour who can still shut the party down.

Two rails later from Whitaker and Jack JL , the curtain fell. Switzerland could finally raise its arms in celebration.

Austria didn’t come to carry coats

Behind the winners, Austria produced a second-place finish that was as impressive as it was unexpected. The charge was led in particular by the in-form Katharina Rhomberg and Cuma 5, authors of the only other double clear of the day.

Great Britain completed the podium ahead of the United States, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and Brazil Belgium, notably, had led after the first round.

France and Spain, meanwhile, never made it through to round two.

One round too many for Belgium

The Belgian quartet of Pieter Devos, Annelies Vorsselmans, Frederic Vernaet and Thibeau Spits managed the damage well enough in round one. With only four penalties from Vorsselmans and the benefit of a drop score eliminating Frederic Vernaet and Orak d’Hamwyck T&L’s 12-fault round, Belgium remained firmly in contention. Round two was another story entirely. Thirty additional penalties hit the scoreboard. Thank you, and see you next time. The Belgian performances never truly convinced and will do little to ease concerns after disappointing outings in Aix-la-Chapelle and Rome. A strong response at La Baule is now looking increasingly essential.

Find full results of the St. Gallen Nations Cup here.