Cork-born Olympian Shane Sweetnam and the Patrick Connolly-bred gelding CSF James Kann Cruz have produced another exceptional performance on the world stage, to finish as runners-up in today's five-star Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva in Switzerland.
A world-class field saw eight combinations jump clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off, with Derry's Daniel Coyle narrowly missing out on a place in the second round when he picked up just one time fault aboard Incredible.
Sweetnam completed a double clear performance and pocketed €250,000 for his second place finish, coming home just over a second behind American winner Kent Farrington with Greya. Belgium's Belgium's Thibeau Spits filled third place on the podium with Impress-k Van't Kattenheye Z.
The result crowned an impressive week for Irish riders in Geneva, including Meath's O'Connor who scored no less than three podium finishes.
He partnered Genghis Khan to third place in Friday's1m55 speed class, while he also finished third with Chatolinue PS in Thursday's 1m60 jump-off and guided Canbella Blue PS to a third place finish in Geneva's 1m45 Two Phase.
Derry's Daniel Coyle powered to victory in Friday's 1m45 speed class with the nine-year-old mare Daydream.
Coyle stopped the clock clear in 56.27 to outpace Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger and Castiel (56.41) who finished as runners-up.
