Golden double for Sweden in relays
OLOMOUC – The last day of the 19th World University Orienteering Championships 2014 saw an intriguing spectacle during the relay race, resulting in two golden medals both for the Swedish women and men.
The women’s race reminded of an action thriller movie with the order changing at each and every control point. Until the changeover to the third leg the Swedish relay was in the lead ahead of Finland. Then, however, the Swedish anchor Lina Strand made a one-minute mistake and the Czech Iveta Šístková took the first place, cheering up all the spectators in the arena. Nevertheless, at the last radio control she was caught by the Swede and the Finn and a tough race until the finish line was to come. In the end, Lina Strand proved to be the strongest and reclaimed the gold for the Swedish team composed of Lilian Forsgren, Helena Karlsson and Lina Strand. The Czechs finished at the second spot while Finland took the bronze medal.
In the men’s race, the Swedish team changed over as first after the first leg, surprisingly followed by the Great Britain. Matthias Kyburz, so far the most successful individual of the Championships, pulled the Swiss to the lead after the second leg, but only less than a half minute ahead of the Swedish and Czech relays. Martin Hubmann from Switzerland was the first to fall back and it was clear that men will repeat the same tough battle between Sweden and Czech Republic as the women fought just a few minutes before. And the result was same again with Oskar Sjöberg coming first to the run in ahead of Vojtěch Král. Second gold medal goes to Sweden, this time for Rasmus Andersson, Albin Ridefelt and Oskar Sjöberg.
The medal ceremony was followed by the closing ceremony where the FISU flag was handed over to the organizers of the 20th World University Orienteering Championships 2016 in Hungary.
Results:
Women:
1. Sweden (Forsgren Lilian, Karlsson Helena, Strand Lina) 91:29
2. Czech Republic (Horčičková Vendula, Knapová Jana, Šístková Iveta) 91:44
3. Finland (Norrgrann Saara, Liikanen Marjo, Nurmela Sari) 92:38
Men
1. Sweden (Andersson Rassmus, Ridefelt Albin, Sjöberg Oskar) 93:30
2. Czech Republic (Nykodým Miloš, Petržela Jan, Král Vojtěch) 93:56
3. Switzerland (Kyburz Andreas, Kyburz Matthias, Hubmann Martin) 94:20
Please find complete results and more information about the Championships at http://www.wuoc2014.cz.