An elite field of 16 trotters is now set for the 2012 Elitlopp, with a distinct North American flavour including Canada's richest trotter and a top U.S. driver making his European debut
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This year marks the 61th edition, with horses divided into two heats of eight and the top four advancing from each heat. Trotters include the two past champions Brioni (2011) and Iceland (2010), highly regarded Rapide Lebel, Oslo Grand Prix winner Commander Crowe plus Canada's Windsong Geant with trainer-driver Rick Zeron and O'Brien Award winner Arch Madness. A winner of his heat in 2011, Arch Madness will be driven by regular pilot Brian Sears making his Elitlopp debut.
The heats line up as follows.
Heat 1:
1. Commander Crowe – Christophe Martens (Sweden)
2. Orecchietti – Örjan Kihlström (Sweden)
3. Classic Grand Cru – Björn Goop (Germany)
4. Oyonnax – Kenneth Nielsen (France)
5. Beanie M.M. – Johnny Takter (Sweden)
6. Iceland – Stefan Melander (Sweden)
7. Arch Madness – Brian Sears (U.S.A.)
8. Dileva Käll – Peter G Norman (Sweden)
Heat 2:
1. Windsong Geant – Rick Zeron (Canada)
2. Oracle – Erik Adielsson (Sweden)
3. Caballion – Fredrik B Larsson (Sweden)
4. Sanity – Johnny Takter (Sweden)
5. Sebastian K. – Lutfi Kolgjini (Sweden)
6. Rapide Lebel – Eric Raffin (France)
7. Brioni – Joakim Lövgren (Germany)
8. Yarrah Boko – Ulf Ohlsson (Norway)