World Cup News

In the Semi-Finals, Erban squared off against the number one qualifier and defending Teutonia Champion Kevin Reimer.  In what was probably the most important heat race of his life, Erban handily beat the two-time World Champion to earn a birth in the final.  In the other Semi-Final Danky Dean pulled off a huge upset when he defeated his fellow countryman and pre-race favorite Douglas Silva.  The World Championship showdown was set between Erban the Canadian vs Dean the Brazilian.

 

Before the Final was run, there was another showdown between Reimer and Silva in the Consolation Final.  The two close friends raced each other hard for third place giving each other no quarter.  As they came over the line it was too close to call requiring a video review to determine who finished third.  Eventually it was Silva who was awarded third place by IGSA Chief Steward Norman Kinnish.

Finally it was tme for the final.  The massive crowd was on it's feet waiting in anticipation to cheer on their fellow countryman Dean and Erban who they fell in love with when he won in 2009.  As they came into view, it was clear that there would be no denying Erban his first IGSA World Championship.  He had a commanding lead over Dean that he held all the way to the line.

 

For Erban, the win was especially sweet.  After winning the World Cup Series in 2009, Erban made wholesale equipment and sponsorship changes.  He started his own deck and truck company along with switching wheel sponsors.  Since then, Erban has struggled to return to his dominant form.  There have been flashes of brilliance but he'd gone winless in World Cup competition for the past two seasons.  Erban has worked tirelessly to dial in his equipment and reach peak conditioning.  Today it finally all came together as he won the biggest race of his life.