World of O News
The European Championships is only two weeks away, and some of the big stars have started to show their class in big national races this weekend. Thierry Gueorgiou (France) took two Silva League victories this weekend, Minna Kauppi (Finland) took a 4 minute victory in Finnspring Saturday and Simone Niggli won clear victories in Swiss champs middle and national sprint race.
Below some of the top results are summarized – and links to maps and GPS tracking is posted.
Silva League
Thierry Gueorgiou has shown that he masters the Swedish terrain well these last two weekend – with victories in 3 of 4 Silva League races. The young Swedes are very close, though. Gustav Bergman took second spot around 30 seconds behind the French star both at the long and middle this weekend – after victory in the first Silva League long distance race last Saturday. Johan Runesson and Jerker Lysell have also shown impressive shape. On Sunday’s race, Bergman had higher speed on the short legs (see autOanalysis comparison here) in most of the course, but Bergman did some small mistakes and lost some seconds on some of the longer legs.
In the women’s class, Helena Jansson won the long distance on Saturday – after fighting closely with Simone Niggli in Switzerland in competitions and trainings the last months. She was far down on the list on Sunday’s middle distance race, though (after a three minute mistake at control 3 – see autOanalysis comparison here) – which was won by Tanja Ryabkina (overall Silva League leader in the women’s class after four races). Comparing Ryabkina’s race with runner-up Emma Johansson – Ryabkina has higher speed and better direction – taking time on Johansson on compass-running on the longer legs (AutOanalysis Ryabkina versus Joahansson).
But don’t forget Annika Billstam (World Ranking leader – impressed earlier this season – same speed as Ryabkina Sunday, but made mistakes at several controls and long legs – autOanalysis here), Tove Alexandersson (good season start – good speed but many mistakes Sunday) and Lena Eliasson (has shown very good speed – unstable orienteering so far).
FinnSpring
In FinnSpring Minna Kauppi took the win with more than 4 minutes after having done good performances in Switzerland some weeks ago – the Finnish World Champions surely is back after problems earlier this winter. Among the men Pasi Ikonen showed his class last weekend, but did not perform well at FinnSpring after some illness. Winner in the men elite class in FinnSpring was Olli-Markus Taivanen – more than two minutes ahead of Topi Anjala and Hannu Airila. Interesting 4th spot for Jani Lakanen who is preparing a comeback in the top this year – just some seconds behind Anjala and Airila.
GPSSeuranta Replay – leg 1-3 for H21E (simulated mass start):
- Map & GPS FinnSpring D21E – FinnSpring H21E
Norwegian season opener & EOC test races
Norway had their EOC selection races last weekend in Halden – victories went to Olav Lundanes and Silje Ekroll Jahren. Among the men Olav seems to be the strongest Norwegian this season also – but Audun Weltzien was only half a minute behind on Sunday’s long distance. In the women’s class Mari Fasting has performed consistently well this spring – but with a gap up to Helena Jansson, Minna Kauppi and Simone Niggli which needs to be made smaller ahead of EOC. Anne Margrethe Hausken is on her way back to the top after childbirth – she won Lørdagskjappen yesterday ahead of Tone Wigemyr and Heidi Østlid Bagstevold.
Swiss EOC selection races
Simone Niggli has dominated the Swiss EOC selection races – long on Wednesday, middle on Saturday (Swiss champs) and sprint on Sunday. In the mens class, it looks more open. Matthias Kyburz has dominated the season opening in Switzerland and also won the long distance on Wednesday, but got injured on Saturday. Saturday’s race was won by guest runner Carl Waaler Kaas (Norway), with Baptiste Rollier one minute behind in second. Sunday’s race was surprisingly won by Severin Howald, but Daniel Hubmann finished only two seconds down. Hubmann has had injury problems the last weeks, and did not compete in the other selection races.
- Map DE Swiss Champs Middle (Silje Ekroll Jahren) – see also RouteGadget Swiss Champs middle (See course in RouteGadget viewer for mobile/iPad/easy access)
- Swiss test race long, April 25th
- Map DE Sprint race Sunday (Silje Ekroll Jahren)
The Swiss have used GPS-tracking on these events, but have unfortunately chosen not to make the GPS tracking public in order to not loose an advantage ahead of WOC on homeground in July. So no GPS-data from Switzerland:(
