After the first round, only the top three qualified for the drive-off. The battle between the leader of the discipline, the Australian Boyd Exell, seven-time World Champion and ten-time World Cup final winner, Bram Chardon, the defending champion of Geneva and three-time World Cup final winner, and the Swiss Jérôme Voutaz, the local hero at Palexpo, promised to be an exciting one. In an incredible atmosphere, supported by an enthusiastic audience, they gave their all, combining finesse, strength, speed and agility. After a beautiful performance by the Swiss leader with 166.18 points, Bram Chardon put the Australian under pressure with a perfect round of 161.17 points. But despite a solid performance from the defending champion, the Australian managed to step it up a notch to win with 155.66!

What the actors said:

Boyd Exell: I have to congratulate the course designer, Michael Mayer, because it was his first time designing a World Cup course. In the end the gap between us was very small and it would be nice to have more drivers in the field to make the competition even tougher.

Bram Chardon: I have two new horses in my team and yesterday I had some difficulties, not everything went as I had hoped. But I made up for it today. I didn't dare to take full risks yet, but the potential is there and we'll be able to improve before the World Cup final.

Jérôme Voutaz: I'm glad I didn't finish fourth! (laughs) I made some changes to the bits for the horses and we also worked with the grooms on the carriage, which I had neglected before, and it paid off.

Michael Mayer, course designer: This was my first course at World Cup level. I have been here before, but as a first assistant. Geneva is a very big arena and I hope that I can make the course elements even more fluid.