The Elitkampen for cold-blooded trotting horses is one of the most popular races of the Elitlopp weekend. Now Solvalla is making a big investment in the race and raising the first prize to as much as SEK 500,000.
Elitkampen at Solvalla was established in 1986 and the first winner was the Norwegian Alm Svarten - trained by Knut Alm and driven by Ulf Thoresen. Alm Svarten also won the next two years and since then we have seen popular winners such as Atom Vinter, Viesker, Järvsöfaks, Tekno Odin and Lannem Silje. Now a major investment is being made in the race, which pleases Sweden's most successful cold blood trainer.
- That's great! It was the best news in a long time. This increase gives Elitkampen a really high dignity, says Jan-Olov Persson, who has eight coach victories in the race, including five in a row with Järvsöfaks during the years 2002 to 2006.
The increase in prize money, which is over four hundred thousand Swedish crowns, allows the first prize to be increased from three hundred thousand to half a million crowns. A total of SEK 995,000 will be awarded in the race.
- Elitkampen is one of the most appreciated races during the Elitlopp weekend and it is important for both us as organizers and for the Elitlopp audience that the race continues to be of the highest class. That's why we're making this investment," says Solvalla's Sports Director Anders Malmrot.
Elitkampen will be held this year on May 26 during the Elitlopp Sunday at Solvalla. The Elitlopp weekend runs May 24-26.
Facts Elitkampen:
Number of races run: 33
Most victorious horses: Viesker and Järvsöfaks, 5 victories
Most victorious coach: Jan-Olov Persson, 8 wins
Most victorious drivers: Kaarlo Ahokas and Jan-Olov Persson, 5 victories
Fastest horse: Vitter, 1.18,5 1609a, May 29, 2016
Victories by country: Norway 15, Sweden 10, Finland 8
Press release from Solvalla February 20, 2019.
Photo: Thomas Blomqvist / TR Bild
