Williamson honoured to represent New Zealand at World Champs

[Chief Stipe]

Matthew Williamson will take his trotting driving skills to the World Drivers Championships in Sweden this year. Photo: JONNY TURNER.

Oamaru driver Matthew Williamson will don the silver fern to represent New Zealand at this year’s World Drivers Championships.

Williamson will head to Sweden in May to compete with the world’s best reinsman in the week-long series.

The talented reinsman described his selection as a great honour.

“It is a very exciting opportunity and it will be a great honour to represent the country.”

Williamson will compete in 24 races at five racetracks across Sweden.

A total of 12 world-class drivers will compete in the series.

The championship is likely to be the highlight of the reinsman’s working year, but not at the top of his personal triumphs in 2019.

Williamson’s partner and fellow driver, Charlotte Purvis, is expecting the couple’s first child in June.

Few would be better credentialed to represent New Zealand in the series, as all events in the competition are trotting races.

The 27-year-old is hoping to get the chance to get an up close look at how the Swedes fine-tune their squaregaiters during his visit.

“I think we get a couple of days off during the week.”

“So, even just seeing how they do things over there.”

“I have been in the junior drivers series a couple of times.”

“They are really good trips for everything you take in and the people you meet.”

“When you go overseas it is good to go and see how everyone else does it.”

Williamson said he could not have been selected without the support of owners and trainers across New Zealand.

“There are too many people to name individually, but to all the people that have supported me I owe them a big thanks.”

“I am sure they will be very excited about me going as well.”

Williamson taking his family’s incredible trotting talents to the world stage is something his parents, Phil and Bev, are naturally delighted about.

“They are over the moon, of course, with me being asked to go.”

It is a case of back to reality for Williamson after the thrill of the announcement.

The reinsman has a busy night at Forbury Park on Thursday night with nine drives.

Blair Orange was originally announced as the New Zealand representative for the World Driving Championships recently.

It is understood he decided to withdraw.

 

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