An Austrian tram driver has been crowned the winner of the first ever Tram Driver World Championship in Vienna.
Drivers from Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, and San Diego traveled to the city to show off their tram operating skills in front of thousands of spectators.
The event saw drivers compete in a series of tram-based challenges, including quirky tasks of bowling and curling using the vehicle.
Organizers reported that thousands of visitors came to watch the spectacle, which also marked 160 years since trams were introduced to Vienna.
The Austrian team triumphed over reigning European champions Budapest, who finished in fourth place. A total of 25 teams from across the globe battled it out on a 250-meter long course.
The world's tram-driving pros were tested on their ability to operate the vehicles in eight challenges, which included braking and accelerating smoothly.
One test featured a bowl of water strapped to the front of the tram, challenging the driver to brake smoothly without spilling any liquid. In another challenge, referred to as tram curling, the drivers needed to push a bicycle trolley to halt at a designated spot. Tram bowling, utilizing a giant ball to knock down inflatable pins, emerged as a favorite among fans.
While Austria secured the top spot, Poland came in second, followed by Norway in third place and Croatia finishing last.
Florijan Isaku, the Austrian entrant, expressed being overwhelmed and speechless after winning in his homeland, calling Vienna's public transport operator Wiener Linien a family.
For Hungary, however, it was a disappointing day, as the speedster Krisztina Schneider reflected on the difficulty of curling, stating that her pace was not enough to secure victory.
Looking ahead, next year's European championships are set to take place in Warsaw, Poland.
