2008 WUC Orienteering: Day 3
August 1st, 2008
The XVIth World University Orienteering Champions in Middle Distance are Sander Vaher from Estonia and Bodil Holmström from Finland
The XVIth World University Orienteering Championships brought winners on the Middle Distance under the solar eclipse. The solar eclipse seems to be lucky for Estonians and Finns – Men’s Champion is Sander Vaher and Women’s gold belongs again to Bodil Holmström. Middle Distances were almoust 1/3 of Long Distance, for Men 6,2 km with 13 controls and Women 4,9 km with 10 controls. Despite of the remarkable shortness of the distances, it was difficult for the competitiors after yesterday’s long distance. Sander Vaher was leading the distance from the first public controls. Although he did not consider his race perfect, it was clear victory The second place Michal Smola from Czech Republic was behind more thant 2 minutes. The bronze medal was taken by Austria, Gernot Kerschbaumer.
Sander Vaher and Michal Smol
Sander Vaher - Estonia - 33.35 Michal Smola - Czeck Republic - +2:04 Gernot Kerschbaume - Austria - +2:55 Sander Vaher, today’s Champion, was mentally ready for a good race today. Vaher commented his competition: “I have done lot’s of thinking and realised, that I don’t have to think about the result and to cause extra tensions, but to run as good as I can. My legs didn’t feel very “light” before the start and on the first kilometres on the terrain. I was rather uncertain running to the first control, but I got my rythm with taking the next controls. I saw Michal Smola on my way to the 6th control. He started 2 minutes before me and I considered him the favourite of today. Seeing him gave me even more confidence.” Sander Vaher said, that the forest is suitable for Estonians – one has to fight all the time and be aggressive, so that the terrain can not beat the competitor. “I think I was all that. But in these terrains one can not forget the simple truth – straight way is the best way. I think that many of the competitors were afraid to go straight through the tough forest and tried to use more routes.”
Women’s race was very tense until the very last meters. The Champion Bodil Holmström was olny 8 seconds better than the second Dana Brozkova. The third place was taken by Danas sister Radka Brozkova. Bodil Holmström - Finland - 34.29 Dana Brozkova - Czeck Republic - +0:08 Radka Brozkova - Czeck Republic - +1:32 Bodil Holmström said on the press conference at the Competition arena: “I think I did not do perfect race today, but I could avoid big mistakes like yesterday.” Commenting her next goals for this year Bodil Holmström said: “Deffinitely Finnish Championships. I have a medal from relay, but I would like to get a medal from the individual distance as well.” “After 3 days of competition it is clear, that Estonia provides tough conditions for our students. The winners have made excellent performances. I am very impressed of all competitiors, especially those who complete the races although the results are not not in the top,” commented Ola Kåberg, FISU controller from Sweden. He considered the preparations and the performance of the competition working fine and everything thanks to the experienced organisers. Ola Kåberg added: “With one day remainin of the Championship I am very pleased and confident that we will leave Tartu, Estonia with fine memories.” On the http://www.easl.ee/wuoc2008/index.php?sisu=results under the “races” you can look competitors races of each days. The Championships are organised by the Estonian Academic Sports Federation, OC Põlva Kobras and Estonian Orienteering Federation. Official website of the Championships can be found at www.easl.ee/wuoc2008 and includes both startlist, finish protocols and live competition comments each day. For more information please contact: Kaidi Ruusalepp WUOC 2008 Media Team Phone: +372 52 86 351 e-mail: kaidioone@hotmail.com www.easl.ee/wuoc2008
Middle race - Men`s Podium
Middle Race - Women`s Podium
