Oamaru reinsman Matthew Williamson won his first race on Swedish soil and surged towards the top of the leader board on day three of the world driving championships yesterday.
Williamson plotted a perfect path from last for Ior Tooma to get up for a thrilling last-stride dead-heat win with Saphir D'inverne.
Williamson was far from disappointed with having to share his first victory with one of his rivals.
Instead, he said he was thrilled to split the honour with American reinsman Yannick Gingras.
"It was a huge thrill to get the win and to share it with a Yannick was really cool.
"The series is going really well and I am absolutely loving the experience.''
Williamson produced another sensational series drive to clinch his first win outside Australasia. Ior Tooma drifted back to last after beginning slowly from his tricky barrier 1 on the second row draw on the Lindesberg track.
Williamson saved ground with the $11 chance and eventually weaved the horse into a striking position before the home turn.
Ior Tooma produced a late burst of speed under Williamson's urgings to claim his dead-heat victory right on the line.
Williamson scored a second placing with another $11 chance, Ilaria Sidney, earlier in the day.
His remaining three drives produced seventh, eighth and 11th placings.
Those results helped Williamson finish day three of the championships in third.
The Oamaru reinsman's 72.5 points has him just four points behind the leader Swedish driver, Ulf Ohlsson.
Norwegian driver Eirik Hoitom is just one and a-half points ahead of Williamson at the end of the Lindesberg meeting.
