It is probably the most special European championship: drivers from all over Europe compete for the title of “Best Tram Driver in Europe” at the European Tram Championship. At the European Championship on Saturday in Leipzig, Wiener Linien will also be represented by two bim drivers.
There are a total of six disciplines that the teams have only recently experienced. Below this is the “Perfect Stop”: The second door of the train has an arrow that must touch a certain point on the tram station when it stops.
The strangest discipline is certainly tram bowling. The train races into a ball that has to knock over inflatable skittles – all six at best. “It’s very unusual to purposely run a tram into an obstacle, because you normally shouldn’t,” said David, a part-time tram driver in Vienna, of the extraordinary bowling. Together with Catrina, he represents Wiener Linien this year.
Another challenge has a serious background: the drivers have to simulate emergency braking if there is an obstacle on the route. Targeted braking and speed measurement with a hidden speedometer are also on the program.
You can watch the event livestream here:
Two teams from Ukraine compete against each other
This Saturday, 25 teams from 19 countries will compete for the title in the center of Leipzig. Just like the Eurovision Song Contest, the European Tram Championship has now been expanded: this time participants from Australia have even traveled to the ninth edition. Bim drivers also depart from Ukraine. Teams from the capital Kiev and Lviv are competing and hoping for public support.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
