INTRODUCING THE 2023 GCL TEAM - The St Tropez Pirates
The Global Champions League (GCL) is a team competition in show jumping, which takes place over several legs throughout the year at different locations around the world. Here's how it works:
Teams: Each team consists of two to five riders (and once again every team will field a U25 rider as part of GCL’s commitment to the development of talented youth at the top level of show jumping) who represent a particular city or region. There are usually around 16 teams that compete in each leg of the competition.
Format: The competition is held over two rounds, with each rider jumping one round. The team's overall score is the total of the best three scores from the two rounds.
Scoring: Points are awarded for each placing in the round, with the winner getting 30 points, second place getting 28 points, and so on down to 1 point for 30th place. The team with the most points at the end of the competition is the winner.
Prize Money: The prize money is shared between the riders on the winning team. In addition, each rider earns points towards the individual rankings of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).
Final: At the end of the season, the top 16 teams in the overall standings qualify for the Global Champions League Super Cup, which is a two-round final held at the end of the season. The winning team is crowned the Global Champions League Champion - This year team spirit, team tactics and the strongest combinations are what’s needed to win. Only the top teams will survive the ultimate showdown in the GCL Super Cup at the season-closing GC Prague Playoffs where a stunning €10 million will be up for grabs in just one weekend this November.
The St Tropez Pirates
In a huge shake up for 2023, St Tropez Pirates add some more female firepower to their lineup this year, with Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, (team owner Athina Onassis) and Katrin Eckermann heading up the team after an uber successful 2022 season.
Coupled with the talent of their counterparts in Simon Delestre, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and thrilling young talent Michael Pender (U25), can the St Tropez Pirates look to up their season success in 2023?
Michael Pender Competing for: Ireland Age: 23
Micheal is a newcomer to the GCL team competition and came into the St Tropez Pirates as the U25 rider in 2021. 2022 was a very successful year for the talent with the St Tropez Pirates. The young Irishman will continue to count on valuable advice from his experienced team members, making him one of the young riders to watch as he joins the team again in 2023.
Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli Competing for Sweden Age: 36
Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli has been successful at the top level of show jumping for many years, working with her husband Marlon Modolo Zanotelli from their base in Belgium. In 2023 Angelica makes the move from Madrid in Motion to St. Tropez Pirates for her second year on the GCL circuit, alongside an impressive line-up of athletes.
Simon Delestre Competing for: France Age: 41
Simon has been part of the GCL team competition since 2017, competing at many legs of the circuit, first with the St.Tropez Pirates, then with Monaco Aces before joining the Hamburg Giants in 2019. In 2023, Simon makes an exciting move to a fresh St. Tropez Pirates. Riding alongside Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, (team owner Athina Onassis) and Katrin Eckermann, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and thrilling young talent Michael Pender (U25).
Katrin Echermann Competing for: Germany Age: 32
New year, new team! After an incredible 2022, Katrin Eckermann returns to GCL for the second year in 2023, making the move from Shanghai Swans to St. Tropez Pirates alongside a line-up of killer talent. Katrin is joined by the likes of female firepower with Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, team owner Athina Onassis, plus Simon Delestre, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and thrilling young talent Michael Pender (U25).
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli Competing for: Brazil Age: 34
Crowd favourite Marlon Módolo Zanotelli makes an exciting move in 2023 to ride for St. Tropez Pirates, where he will be riding alongside his wife, business partner and fellow athelete, Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli. Marlon had an incredible year in 2022, both individually and riding for Shanghai Swans, he looks to bring his wealth of experience and skills to a strong and competitive line-up in the St. Tropez Pirates for the year ahead.
Athina Onassis Competing for: Greece Age: 38
Athina is another rider of this St Tropez Pirates team who has competed in the GCL team competition since its creation in 2016. After 2016 riding for Madrid in Motion, Athina has been a St Tropez Pirate ever since, with successful results throughout the years, such as being part of the team finishing second in Miami 2019, and fourth in Mexico 2019. Athina remains with St Tropez Pirates for the 2023 season with a very competitive lineup.
