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Tram driver world championship sees bowling and curling among challenges | Tram driver world championship sees bowling and curling among challenges |
(1 day later) | |
Watch: Tram drivers compete in first ever world championship in Vienna | Watch: Tram drivers compete in first ever world championship in Vienna |
An Austrian tram driver has been crowned the winner of the first ever Tram Driver World Championship in Vienna. | An Austrian tram driver has been crowned the winner of the first ever Tram Driver World Championship in Vienna. |
Drivers from Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, and San Diego travelled to the city to show off their tram operating skills in front of thousands of spectators. | Drivers from Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, and San Diego travelled to the city to show off their tram operating skills in front of thousands of spectators. |
The event saw drivers compete in a series of tram-based challenges, including quirky tasks of bowling and curling using the vehicle. | The event saw drivers compete in a series of tram-based challenges, including quirky tasks of bowling and curling using the vehicle. |
Organisers said that thousands of visitors came to watch the spectacle, which marked 160 years since trams were introduced to Vienna. | Organisers said that thousands of visitors came to watch the spectacle, which marked 160 years since trams were introduced to Vienna. |
The Austrian team beat off competition from reigning European champions Budapest who were on track to win, but ended up in fourth place. | The Austrian team beat off competition from reigning European champions Budapest who were on track to win, but ended up in fourth place. |
A total of 25 teams from across the globe battled out on a 250 metre long course. | A total of 25 teams from across the globe battled out on a 250 metre long course. |
The world's tram-driving pros were tested on their ability to operate the vehicles in eight challenges, which included braking and accelerating smoothly. | The world's tram-driving pros were tested on their ability to operate the vehicles in eight challenges, which included braking and accelerating smoothly. |
One test saw a bowl of water strapped to the front of the tram, with the driver tasked with braking smoothly in an effort to not spill any liquid. | One test saw a bowl of water strapped to the front of the tram, with the driver tasked with braking smoothly in an effort to not spill any liquid. |
Another challenge - tram curling - saw the drivers push a bicycle trolley so it halted at a specific spot. | Another challenge - tram curling - saw the drivers push a bicycle trolley so it halted at a specific spot. |
Tram bowling, in which a giant ball is used to knock down inflatable pins, was another fan favourite. | Tram bowling, in which a giant ball is used to knock down inflatable pins, was another fan favourite. |
Among the challenges was the unique idea of 'tram bowling' | Among the challenges was the unique idea of 'tram bowling' |
While Austria nabbed first place, second place was awarded to Poland, while Norway took third, and Croatia finished last. | While Austria nabbed first place, second place was awarded to Poland, while Norway took third, and Croatia finished last. |
The Austrian entrant Florijan Isaku said he was "overwhelmed" and "speechless" to have won in his native country. | The Austrian entrant Florijan Isaku said he was "overwhelmed" and "speechless" to have won in his native country. |
"It's just great", he said, calling Vienna's public transport operator Wiener Linien "a family". | |
But it was a disappointing day for Hungary, who learnt that speed isn't everything. | But it was a disappointing day for Hungary, who learnt that speed isn't everything. |
"Curling was the most challenging task for me and I didn't really succeed as I would have liked", European champion Krisztina Schneider told AFP. | "Curling was the most challenging task for me and I didn't really succeed as I would have liked", European champion Krisztina Schneider told AFP. |
"I thought my speed would be enough but in the end it wasn't." | "I thought my speed would be enough but in the end it wasn't." |
Next year's European championships are due to take place in Warsaw, Poland. | Next year's European championships are due to take place in Warsaw, Poland. |
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