Technical Sprint Qualification in Wellington
Posted on | January 7, 2013 | Category: News
Qualification for the second World Cup race of the season, a Sprint, took place today. Runners faced very detailed urban terrain around the parliament buildings in Wellington. Winners, and therefore last to start in the final tomorrow, were Tove Alexandersson, Sweden and Fabian Hertner, Switzerland.
With 40 runners qualifying from fields of 50 women and 64 men, it was not anticipated that two of the Swedish men would fail to qualify. Johan Runesson (second-placed in the Middle race two days ago) and Erik Rost both made significant and costly mistakes on the testing course.
In the women’s race Helena Jansson led at the first radio control, but had to settle in the end for second place, 11 seconds slower than Tove Alexandersson. Sara Luscher, Switzerland was third. Home athlete Lizzie Ingham placed an impressive 5th in a strong field, and in all seven New Zealand women qualified for the final, along with eight Australians. As in the Middle distance race, Maja Alm, Josefine Engström and Minna Kauppi were all unable to run because of illness.
Fabian Hertner, winner two days ago, was fastest in the men’s race throughout the course. Second was Jonas Leandersson, Sweden and third Olav Lundanes, Norway who will certainly be keen to make up for his disappointment after being disqualified in the Middle race. Brothers Matthias and Andreas Kyburz, Switzerland took 4th and 6th positions. Two Australians qualified: Julian Dent in 10th place and Simon Uppill in 17th. Ross Morrison (19th) was the best-placed New Zealander; Tim Robertson and Matt Ogden also qualified.
The final takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) morning on a course in Wellington that includes parts of the Governor’s House gardens. The area is not as complex as today’s, with fewer buildings, but is hilly and should offer some challenging route choices.
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