EOC 2018 Sprint Relay: Maps and Results

Switzerland’s Judith Wyder took the lead already from the start of the first leg – and Florian Howald, Martin Hubmann and Elena Roos took care of the lead all the way to the finish – giving Switzerland a clear win in the European Championships Sprint Relay in Ticino, Switzerland. Sweden took silver 1:10 behind and Norway bronze more than 3 minutes down from Switzerland.

Judith Wyder for Switzerland ran a very good first leg, giving Switzerland a 55 second gap to Austria’s Ursula Kadan after the first leg. The big group followed after 1:08 with Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, Ukranie, Russia, Latvia and Italy all within 10 seconds. Sweden’s Emil Svensk ran a very good second leg, catching 44 seconds on Switzerland’s Florian Howald. Peter Hodkinson (Great Britain) also ran a good leg, setting up Great Britain first in the follower group, 49 seconds down on Switzerland. Italy, Russia, Norway and Czech Republic followed within 11 seconds of Great Britain.

Judith Wyder for Switzerland ran a very good first leg, giving Switzerland a 55 second gap to Austria’s Ursula Kadan after the first leg

On the third leg Martin Hubmann increased the gap to 46 seconds to Sweden – sending Elena Roos out on the last leg with a very clear lead. Great Britain (+1:03), Norway (+1:28), Austria (+1:37), Russia (+1:38) and Czech Republic (+1:40) were all in an exciting fight for the medals. On the first part of the final leg it became clear that Switzerland and Sweden could start celebrating the gold and silver medals – the battle for bronze did however live throughout all of the last leg, with the runners finally using the alternative routechoices on the longer legs. In the end Benjaminsen secured the bronze for Norway after some hesitations by Czech Republic’s Knapova towards the end of the last leg.

The battle for bronze did however live throughout all of the last leg, with the runners finally using the alternative routechoices on the longer legs

Maps and GPS-tracking

See the women’s map at the top of the article and the men’s map below. GPS-tracking is available here:

• Leg 1 (women)
• Leg 2 (men)
• Leg 3 (men)
• Leg 4 (women)

Results (updated with official results)

1. Switzerland (Wyder, Howald, M Hubmann, Roos) 1:02:45
2. Sweden (Strand, Svensk, Leandersson, Ohlsson) +1:12
3. Norway (Alexandersen, Moen Pedersen, Kvaal Østerbø, Benjaminsen)  +3:10
4. Czech Republic +3:16
5. Austria +3:20
6. Great Britain +3:35
7. Denmark +3:53
8. Russia +4:14
9. Finland +5:02
10. Italy +5:50

• Official results