World Orienteering Championships, Middle qualification: Gueorgiou clearly back in form!
Posted on | July 16, 2012 | Category: News
Thierry Gueorgiou lost no time in demonstrating his ability to defend the Middle distance crown yet again, winning his heat by a whole 53 seconds over no less than yesterday’s heat winner and European Champion at Middle and Long distance, Olav Lundanes, Norway. Lucas Basset, was third in this heat.
In heat B, Gernot Kerschbaumer, Austria won by 20 seconds over Valentin Novikov, Russia. Heat C was the closest-fought, with Norway’s Carl Waaler Kaas getting ahead of home runner Fabian Hertner by 8 seconds.
As in the Long distance, the first 15 from each heat go through to the Final. All the strongest competitors who were expected to qualify did so, apart from Natalia Vinogradova, Russia, 5th at Middle distance last year, who was 16th in her heat today, and Dmitry Tsvetkov, Russia who was 19th. Helena Jansson, Sweden did not start – yesterday she was concerned over a foot problem after the race.
The Middle Final will be held at St. Cergue, west of Lausanne. First start for the women is at 12.01 and for the men at 13.41, with a 2-minute start interval. The terrain is said to be similar to that in the qualification, but less steep and offering faster running; there will be some meadows and semi-open areas in addition to the standard stony Jura terrain.
Thierry Gueorgiou talks to the press after his storming run today. Photo: Erik Borg
Full results from today’s races can be found on www.woc2012.ch. Further reports and photos will appear in the ‘Around the Arena’ section at the foot of this page later in the day.
|| Print page ||Search
IOF Main Sponsor
IOF Sponsors
World Championships
Other Upcoming Events
IOF Partners
RSS