The first race in the 8th World Championships in Mountain Bike Orienteering, being held at Montalegre, Portugal this week, was the sprint where the new World Champions are Anna Kaminska, Poland and Adrian Jackson, Australia.

Anna Kaminska, who was fifth in the equivalent race in Israel last year, won by just 2 seconds over the very experienced Christine Schaffner, Switzerland. The bronze medal went to Martina Tichovska, Czech Republic who was 39 seconds down on the winner.

Adrian Jackson retained the sprint title which he won in Israel with a convincing 18-second victory over Tonis Erm, Estonia. Four seconds slower was Anton Foliforov, Russia.

The Junior World Championships are also taking place here, and the new junior sprint champions are Marie Brezinova, Czech Republic and Grigory Medvedev, Russia.

Large crowds watched the races in very hot weather over a 3-hour period today. 53 women and 77 men competed in the senior event and 22 women and 51 men in the junior. The Championships continue with the middle final on Tuesday.

Leading results
Women
1) Anna Kaminska POL 21:25
2) Christine Schaffner SUI 21:27
3) Martina Tichovska CZE 22:04
4) Gaelle Barlet FRA 22:31
5) Hana Bajtosova SVK 22:50
6) Rikke Kornvig DEN 22:56

Men
1) Adrian Jackson AUS 22:08
2) Tonis Erm EST 22:26
3) Anton Foliforov RUS 22:30
4) Jussi Laurila FIN 22:42
5) Erik Skovgaard Knudsen DEN 23:14
6) Fromtisek Bogar CZE & Victor Korchagin RUS 23:24

Junior World MTB Orienteering Championships

Women 20
1) Marie Brezinova CZE 20:41
2) Barbro Kvale NOR 21:02
3) Tatiana Repina RUS 21:16

Men 20
1) Grigory Medvedev RUS 17:58
2) Andreas Konring DEN 18:10
3) Krystof Bogar CZE 18:32