Jun 26, 2023
In a record-breaking performance, Christian Ahlmann starred in his comeback in the heart of Paris. The German master secured first place in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris presented by Ville de Paris, his first LGCT Grand Prix after being injured earlier in the season in Mexico. It is not the first time that the German has won in this dream location, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The day concluded with a thrilling tie-breaker that kept the spectators in suspense from start to finish. Seven pairs qualified for the tie-breaker in which Ahlmann and "Mandato van de Neerheide" were the fastest of the teams that repeated zero. The German won against the local Roger Yves Bos with "Cassius Clay VDV Z. Public favorite Penelope Leprevost completed the podium with Bingo del Tondou, the third fastest in double free jumping with 39.37 seconds.
Ahlmann's last appearance on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Mexico City last April resulted in a broken arm, so he spoke to GCTV about his feelings after the win: "It's hard to explain, the last time I left the Global Tour it was a little bit different, with an arm in the wrong direction.... I'm very, very happy to be back in this sport. -It's the first time I'm back to the 'real sport', let's say, and to finish it with a win here, it's amazing."
Qualified for the Prague Super Grand Prix, the German was very satisfied:
"It's one of the main goals of the whole season: to participate in the Super Grand Prix, it's always a big struggle. Everyone wants to be in it and only the winner can qualify, and I'm more than happy to be part of it."
Following the results of the Paris Grand Prix, there has been little movement in the 2023 Championship standings at the halfway point of the season. Maikel van der Vlueten remains in the lead with 175 points. Malin Bayard-Johnsson is in second place just 15 points behind, while Christian Kukuk closes the gap to third with 159.2 points. Simon Delestre jumps to fourth with 138 points, while Edwina Tops-Alexander drops to fifth with 135 points.
As far as the Global Champions League is concerned, it is already the fourth podium finish so far this season for Madrid in Motion and Riesenbeck International. Both teams are going like a shot, and are at the top of the ranking being the best this year by far.
The German team finished in first position, consolidating its first place in the ranking with 183 points. The podium was completed by Madrid in Motion and Paris Panthers, in second and third position respectively. The same position in which they are in the overall ranking. The Madrid-based team is in second position with 159 points and Paris Panthers in third position with 149 points.