World Orienteering Championships, women’s Middle final: victory for Minna Kauppi
Posted on | July 17, 2012 | Category: News
A dramatic women’s Middle distance final ended with victory for Minna Kauppi, Finland by 32 seconds over the new young star from Sweden, Tove Alexandersson. Tatiana Riabkina, Russia took the bronze medal, 54 seconds slower than Alexandersson.
Flower ceremony: l to r Tove Alexandersson, Minna Kauppi, Tatyana Riabkina Photo: Erik Borg
Minna Kauppi had a near fault-free race, taking her third Middle distance title – she won also in 2008 and 2010. “It was so hard – the most demanding course ever”, she said to the huge crowd of spectators immediately after her race. There were others who also had good races technically, but Minna Kauppi was clearly the strongest on the day.
Perhaps the decisive moment was when Simone Niggli made an uncharacteristic mistake by running from control 7 towards 15 instead of 8. She realized her error only on reaching 15, and had to double back, losing 2- 3 minutes. This was enough to put her down in 5th place in the finish. The other podium places went to young Ida Bobach, Denmark, silver medallist in this race last year, who was 4th, and Annika Billstam, Sweden, world champion at Long distance, who was 6th.
The course was very demanding – as Minna said – and many runners were seen on the tracking making errors in the vicinity of controls. With two screens in use – one dedicated to results, the other showing the TV picture – spectators were well served with information. Comparative tracking pictures showed clearly who was in front at different points in the race, and there were some very good pictures of runners in the terrain too.
The intimate arena in a meadow in the heart of the Jura terrain north of Lake Geneva had a view up to the second last control. On a beautiful summer day with clear views and a field of cows alongside all with their cowbells, there was a fine atmosphere in the arena and the many spectators were able to enjoy the development of the race to the full.
Leading results
1. Minna Kauppi FIN 37.37
2. Tove Alexandersson SWE 38.09
3. Tatiana Riabkina RUS 39.03
4. Ida Bobach DEN 39.52
5. Simone Niggli SUI 40.00
6. Annika Billstam SWE 40.07
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