January 9, 2024 
Vaulting is unique among FEI sports in that it’s the only one where men and women compete separately (and where no one doubts the athleticism of the human competitors).
This week, the sport’s biggest names will contest the first championship of the year at the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Finals in Basel, Switzerland, January 11–14.
Here’s your cheat sheet.
How it works
The FEI Vaulting World Cup Final is comprised of two tests in three divisions: Female, Male and Pas de Deux (Pairs).
Athletes are scored on balance, strength, fluidity, flexibility, smooth transitions, musicality, and a steady dismount, as well as degree of difficulty. Moves between the mandatory elements help vaulters add to their artistic and technical scores. The horse is also scored, so the good lunger and steady canter are vital.
In the Vaulting Technical Test, vaulters are required to perform five technical exercises within one minute, a shorter time period than typically mandated in competition.
The Free Test is an opportunity to display more artistry and includes many of the elements from the technical test but with a theme that combines movement, music, and costuming to create one impression.
The Pas de Deux is a pairs competition made up of two Free Tests.
The Favorites
The Germans — If there is a German flag next to the name, they’re podium contenders. The German contingent swept the Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final in Omaha last year, winning the female, male and pas de deux divisions. This year, both the defending male (Jannik Heiland) and female champions (Kathrin Meyer) are back to reclaim their titles, while Germany’s Brüsewitz brothers Thomas and Viktor look to steal it. Chiara Congia (GER) and Justin Van Gerven (GER) performed their Free Test for the final time in Vegas, retiring on top, but countrymen and current world no. 1s Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne are in the hunt to keep the Pas De Deux title with the black, red and orange.
Kimberly Palmer — Currently ranked world no. 1 USA’s Kimberly Palmer landed just off the podium in Omaha last year and has never finished worse than fourth in the four World Cup Finals she’s contested. This season, she won two of four qualifiers and was second in Samorin. She’ll be looking be make a run for gold and history in Basel.
Theo Gardies — Currently ranked no. 2 in the world, French vaulting veteran Theo Gardies has six championship medals to his name, five from the European Championships. He’ll be looking to add the World Cup Final to his medal count this week and with world no. 1 and reigning European champion Quentin Jabet MIA in Basel, the odds are trending in his favor.
The Contenders
Andrin Muller & Lukas Heppler — Representing home nation Switzerland, both these vaulters have championship experience in spades at World, European and World Cup Finals. But none more than Heppler. He’ll be making his 11th World Cup Final appearance in Basel and has twice landed on the podium prior. His best finish was a silver medal in 2017. Muller made his World Cup Final debut in 2023 and finished in bronze.
The Female division — With eight of the world top 11 competing in Basel, nearly all with medals to their names, there are no weak links in the Female division. Watch for Austria’s Eva Nagiller, reigning European champion in Pas De Deux. The 27-year-old will compete in both the Female and Pas de Deux divisions (the latter with Romana Hintner) and hasn’t finished off a Pas De Deux podium this season.
Ilona Hannich & Li Laffer — Pas De Deux partners Ilona Hannich and Li Laffer too have not finished on the podium this season. The only reason they’re not in the favorites column is their world ranking. They’re no. 3, behind Diana Harwardt & Peter Künne and Romana Hintener & Eva Nagiller.
The Underdogs
Juan Martin Clavijo Vega — Don’t count out the Colombian. Juan Martin Clavijo Vega won the Samur World Cup Final in 2019 and the World Championship in 2017. The 23-year-old didn’t have a great performance in Herning 2022, however, and did not compete in a championship in 2023. He’s a wild card.
Daniel Klotz-Dedora — Basel is the World Cup Final debut for Canada’s Daniel Klotz-Dedora. The 16-year old has competed in two World Championships prior in 2023 and 2021 prior.
Sema Hornberg — Ranked no. 8 in the world, Sema Hornberg isn’t exactly an underdog. She’s the only Female vaulter without prior championship experience, however, so she’s the untested talent in this Final.
How to watch
The FEI Vaulting World Cup Final will stream on on FEI TV. The Opening Ceremony takes place Thursday at 12pm (ET) with the Technical Test for all three divisions starting at 7pm (ET) Friday. Sunday sees the Free Test at 3:30am (ET) and the champions crowned.
