With one race to go, two men are battling for the 2013 IDF World Cup. James Kelly of the USA has his nose in front with 5,338 points, while Adam Persson of Sweden sits on 4,948, waiting to swoop. Their battle on the wide open track of Mega Grand Prix this weekend will determine who comes out on top.
Tagged as the American Dream, James Kelly has been a regular on the podium over the last few years, but 2013 has been looking like his year. Winning at Angies Curves, the toughest track on the circuit, ensured his reputation, and his consistent results at every World Cup race he's attended, plus a win at the World Qualifying Series Morro Solar, has put him in the box seat.
The Dreamy Viking, Adam Persson has come out of Sweden and made a massive mark on this year's racing. A win at Peyragudes Never Dies, the fastest race of the year, and another win at World Qualifying Series TMI Grefsenkollen, has put him in sixth place and within striking range.
It's a close thing. Adam is behind and at Mega Grand Prix must place 5th or better while beating James in order to become take the title. But even then it may not be enough; James must be beaten by a certain amount. Any of the following five results must occur for Adam to triumph:
Adam wins and James is 3rd or worse,
Adam is 2nd and James is 5th or worse,
Adam is 3rd and James is 6th or worse. (If James is 6th they tie for World Champ),
Adam is 4th and James is 8th or worse,
Adam is 5th and James is 9th or worse.
And yet there may be a twist in the tale - two other riders, Kevin Reimer and Zak Maytum, are also capable of winning the series, but neither are currently registered to race at Mega Grand Prix. Perhaps a last-minute flight to Brazil will play a role.
The race for the women's title is no less intriguing. Marie Bougourd (AKA Spoky Woky) of France sits in first place on 5,417 points, 824 points in front of 2nd placed Elena Corrigall of Canada. But Marie is not racing at Mega Grand Prix, and if Elena places 11th or better she will overtake her.
But it's not just a two-way race. Georgia Bontorin of Brazil is currently sitting in fifth place and can also overtake Marie with a 1st or 2nd on the weekend. And at just 16 years old, if Georgia misses out this year she's got plenty of time to fulfill her destiny.
There's no intrigue with the Juniors - Connor Ferguson cannot be overtaken, and at only 15 years of age has a future of almost unlimited potential.
Similarly, in Street Luge Abdil Mahdzan of Malaysia cannot be overtaken, while in Classic Luge Konstantin Weigl of Austria has also wrapped up the title.
