WOC Middle Race & Favourites Preview: Everybody expects an epic race in spectacular and very demanding terrain when the Middle final of the 2023 World Orienteering Championships (WOC) will be decided within 13:10 (women) and 14:50 (men) today. The women start from 10:33 until 12:30 with expected winning time of 34 minutes, and the men start from 12:15 to 14:12 with the same winning time.
Update: The article is updated with the actual map and course (see sample above and full course below)
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The WOC middle distance is always one of the highlights of the year – and with the demanding Flims Laax terrain in beautiful surroundings the expectations are extra high this year, with the legendary WOC short/middle distance in neighbouring Trin in the back of the runners’ heads. The terrain has intricate contour details, forms and many rock formations – even more demanding than the most tricky controls in the qualifier – but it is also expected that we get parts of the course where the orienteering will be easier, thus adjusting the speed, both up and down, based on difficulty and runnability will be key to a good performance.
Today’s course and GPS-tracking
Today’s course and GPS-tracking is available here:
Reigning champions WOC 2021: Kyburz & Alexandersson
Reigning champions from WOC 2021 Middle in Czech Republic are Matthias Kyburz (Switzerland) and Tove Alexandersson (Sweden) – both being among the biggest favourites also two years later, and both being in the position of the attacker after silver medals on the Long distance, and both winning their heat clearly in the middle distance qualification race..
Men: Finally an individual Gold medal for Gustav Bergman?
With a technical middle distance as expected in Trin, there are 15-20 runners who could end up on the top of the podium in the men’s class if they run the race of their life. And how hard is it to perform on top level two days after an exceptionally hard long distance? One of the top national team coaches is quoted to expect a one minute time loss due to running the long distance.
One runner who clearly has had the technical skills to win a WOC gold medal for many years – but is still waiting for one – is Sweden’s Gustav Bergman. Bergman is maybe not among the biggest pre-race favourites today, but that is a position that should suit the Swede well. And Bergman did not run the Long distance. 10 years after his first WOC medal – a bronze medal at the middle distance in Vuokatti Finland in 2013, would be a perfect time to climb up to the top of the podium. But Bergman will get a hard fight – even from his own team mates. Albin Ridefelt is another Swede who has the skills to win a technical middle distance – coming straight from a gold medal in the European Championships Middle last year, and also skipping the Long distance. Ridefelt has never been a good individual WOC runner, though, with a 8th place as his best result after 5 WOCs. Anton Johansson (silver EOC Middle 2022) is also in the group of pre-race favourites, and so is the final Sweden on the start list, Emil Svensk, who had the speed for gold on the long distance but did too many mistakes, could also climb up on the podium on a good day.
That was one nation, and already four realistic gold medal candidates. The home nation Switzerland also has four realistic gold medal candidates to chear for. In addition to reigning champion Matthias Kyburz, the Swiss have the fast Joey Hadorn who won a World Cup Middle race in Idre last year, the WOC 2018 WOC Middle bronze medalist Florian Howald and the younger Hubmann brother Martin Hubmann at the start.
The list of pre-race favourites with realistic gold medal chances is long, though. From Norway Kasper Fosser (has won several World Cup races over the middle distance, and just won the WOC 2023 Long on Thursday) and Eskil Kinneberg (Gold WOC Middle 2018) must be looked out for. For France Lucas Basset (Silver WOC Middle 2015) could go all the way in this technical terrain, for Ukraine Ruslan Glibov (Bronze WOC Middle 2021) has the skills and speed to be up there.
In addition to the main pre-race favourites mentioned above, you find several others on the list below which includes main middle distance results of most of the start field. Some additonal names to notice include Miika Kirmula, the Sild brothers and Olli Ojanaho.
# | Name | Country | Picture | Results |
1. | Matthias Kyburz | SUI | Gold WOC Middle (2021), Gold WOC Middle (2016), Gold EOC Middle (2018), Gold EOC Middle (2016), Silver WC #2, Middle (2023), Silver WC #6, Middle (2021), 4th WOC Middle (2018), Silver WC #7, Middle (2017), 18th WOC Middle (2019), Silver WC #1, Middle (2014), Silver WC #8, Middle (2013), Silver WC #12, Middle (2013), Bronze WC #2, Middle (2015), Bronze WC #6, Middle (2015), Bronze WC #7, Middle (2014), Gold WC #4, Middle (2012), Gold WC #13, Middle (2012), Bronze WC #10, Middle (2012) Ranked Silver in World Ranking. | |
2. | Gustav Bergman | SWE | Silver WOC Middle (2021), Silver WOC Middle (2019), Bronze EOC Middle (2022), Gold WC #1, Middle (2019), Gold WC #8, Middle (2019), Silver EOC Middle (2016), Bronze WC #2, Middle (2023), Silver WC #8, Middle (2018), 6th WOC Middle (2017), Bronze WOC Middle (2013), Bronze WC #7, Middle (2017), Silver WC #5, Middle (2013), Bronze WC #1, Middle (2014), Bronze WC #8, Middle (2013) Ranked 4th in World Ranking. | |
3. | Eskil Kinneberg | NOR | Gold WOC Middle (2018), 6th WOC Middle (2021), 5th EOC Middle (2022), 8th WOC Middle (2017), 7th WC #2, Middle (2023), 18th WOC Middle (2016), 16th EOC Middle (2018), 6th WC #2, Middle (2017), 17th WC #6, Middle (2021) Ranked 9th in World Ranking. | |
4. | Kasper Fosser | NOR | Gold WC #2, Middle (2023), Gold WC #5, Middle (2022), Gold WC #6, Middle (2021), 5th WOC Middle (2021), Gold JWOC Middle (2019), 19th EOC Middle (2022), 6th WC #8, Middle (2019), 17th WC #10, Middle (2018), 40th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked Gold in World Ranking. | |
5. | Albin Ridefelt | SWE | Gold EOC Middle (2022), Silver WC #5, Middle (2022), 12th WOC Middle (2021), 17th WOC Middle (2018), 4th WC #6, Middle (2021), 18th WOC Middle (2017), Bronze WC #1, Middle (2016), 12th WOC Middle (2016), 5th WC #2, Middle (2017) Ranked 6th in World Ranking. | |
6. | Lucas Basset | FRA | Silver WOC Middle (2015), 4th WOC Middle (2021), 5th WOC Middle (2019), 7th WOC Middle (2018), Bronze EOC Middle (2016), 5th WOC Middle (2016), Bronze WC #8, Middle (2019), 14th WOC Middle (2017), 6th WC #2, Middle (2023) Ranked 40th in World Ranking. | |
7. | Florian Howald | SUI | Bronze WOC Middle (2018), Silver EOC Middle (2018), 8th WOC Middle (2019), 7th WOC Middle (2017), Silver WC #13, Middle (2014), 11th EOC Middle (2022), 5th EOC Middle (2016), 6th WC #6, Middle (2021), 21st WOC Middle (2016) Ranked 15th in World Ranking. | |
8. | Ruslan Glibov | UKR | Bronze WOC Middle (2021), 11th WOC Middle (2019), 11th WOC Middle (2018), 5th EOC Middle (2018), Silver WC #11, Middle (2015), 17th WOC Middle (2017), 15th EOC Middle (2022), 13th WOC Middle (2016), 9th WC #5, Middle (2022) Ranked 20th in World Ranking. | |
9. | Emil Svensk | SWE | 4th WOC Middle (2019), 10th WOC Middle (2021), 4th WC #2, Middle (2023), 12th EOC Middle (2022), 5th WC #5, Middle (2022), 6th WC #5, Middle (2019), 21st WC #6, Middle (2021), Gold JWOC Middle (2013), 10th WC #2, Middle (2017) Ranked 8th in World Ranking. | |
10. | Miika Kirmula | FIN | 7th WOC Middle (2021), 7th WOC Middle (2019), 7th EOC Middle (2022), 27th WOC Middle (2016), 7th WC #1, Middle (2019), Gold JWOC Middle (2014), 13th WC #2, Middle (2023), 39th WC #5, Middle (2022), 45th WC #6, Middle (2021) Ranked 16th in World Ranking. | |
11. | Anton Johansson | SWE | Silver EOC Middle (2022), 15th WC #2, Middle (2023), 30th WC #6, Middle (2021), 51st WC #5, Middle (2022), Silver JWOC Middle (2013), 35th WC #1, Middle (2016), 21st JWOC Middle (2014) Ranked 20th in World Ranking. | |
12. | Joey Hadorn | SUI | Gold WC #5, Middle (2019), Silver WC #8, Middle (2019), 55th EOC Middle (2022), Silver JWOC Middle (2016), 6th WC #8, Middle (2018), 13th WC #5, Middle (2022), 24th WC #2, Middle (2023), 19th WC #6, Middle (2021), 13th WC #1, Middle (2019) Ranked 14th in World Ranking. | |
13. | Timo Sild | EST | 11th WOC Middle (2021), 8th WOC Middle (2018), 13th WOC Middle (2019), 11th WOC Middle (2017), 24th EOC Middle (2022), 25th WOC Middle (2016), Bronze WC #3, Middle (2014), 27th WOC Middle (2015), 7th EOC Middle (2014) Ranked 22nd in World Ranking. | |
14. | Gernot Kerschbaumer | AUT | 13th WOC Middle (2021), 17th WOC Middle (2019), Bronze WC #10, Middle (2018), 12th WOC Middle (2018), 21st WOC Middle (2017), 5th WC #6, Middle (2021), 45th EOC Middle (2022), 34th WOC Middle (2016), 16th WOC Middle (2015), Bronze WC #7, Middle (2011) Ranked 11th in World Ranking. | |
15. | Olli Ojanaho | FIN | 4th EOC Middle (2022), 26th WOC Middle (2021), 4th WC #5, Middle (2022), 5th WC #2, Middle (2023), Gold JWOC Middle (2017), 27th WOC Middle (2017), Gold JWOC Middle (2015), 7th WC #10, Middle (2018), 12th WC #6, Middle (2021), Bronze JWOC Middle (2014) Ranked 10th in World Ranking. | |
16. | Ralph Street | GBR | 27th WOC Middle (2021), 19th WOC Middle (2019), 13th WOC Middle (2018), 13th EOC Middle (2022), 37th WOC Middle (2017), 22nd WOC Middle (2016), 31st EOC Middle (2018), 22nd WC #6, Middle (2021), 34th WC #2, Middle (2023) Ranked 34th in World Ranking. | |
17. | Lauri Sild | EST | 23rd WOC Middle (2021), 21st WOC Middle (2018), 6th WOC Middle (2014), 13th WOC Middle (2017), 16th EOC Middle (2022), 31st WOC Middle (2016), 13th WOC Middle (2015), 14th EOC Middle (2018), 20th WC #2, Middle (2023) Ranked 49th in World Ranking. | |
18. | Riccardo Scalet | ITA | Bronze WC #6, Middle (2021), 46th WOC Middle (2019), 45th WOC Middle (2018), 57th WOC Middle (2017), 43rd WOC Middle (2016), 21st EOC Middle (2018), 25th WC #5, Middle (2022), Silver JWOC Middle (2014), 19th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 26th in World Ranking. | |
19. | Ivan Sirakov | BUL | 46th WOC Middle (2021), 45th WOC Middle (2019), 39th WOC Middle (2018), 25th WOC Middle (2017), 28th WOC Middle (2016), 49th EOC Middle (2018), 37th EOC Middle (2016), 30th EOC Middle (2014), 19th WC #3, Middle (2014) Ranked 405th in World Ranking. | |
20. | Michal Olejnik | POL | 25th WOC Middle (2021), 33rd WOC Middle (2019), 49th WOC Middle (2018), 27th EOC Middle (2022), 31st WC #6, Middle (2021), 38th WC #5, Middle (2022), 16th WC #8, Middle (2019), 52nd WC #2, Middle (2023), 44th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 44th in World Ranking. | |
21. | Bartosz Pawlak | POL | 37th WOC Middle (2021), 32nd WOC Middle (2018), 29th WOC Middle (2017), 32nd WOC Middle (2016), 47th EOC Middle (2022), 29th EOC Middle (2018), 46th WOC Middle (2014), 48th WC #2, Middle (2023), 35th EOC Middle (2016) Ranked 94th in World Ranking. | |
22. | Tim Robertson | NZL | 42nd WOC Middle (2021), 39th WOC Middle (2019), 30th WOC Middle (2018), 48th WOC Middle (2016), 36th WC #5, Middle (2022), 27th WC #8, Middle (2019), 20th WC #10, Middle (2018), 32nd WC #8, Middle (2018), 76th WC #6, Middle (2021) Ranked 84th in World Ranking. | |
23. | Bojan Blumenstein | GER | 31st WOC Middle (2021), 24th WOC Middle (2019), 22nd EOC Middle (2022), 32nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 69th WC #6, Middle (2021), 48th WC #8, Middle (2019), 51st WC #1, Middle (2019), 47th WC #8, Middle (2018), 60th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 55th in World Ranking. | |
24. | Matija Razum | CRO | 53rd WOC Middle (2021), 55th WOC Middle (2019), 62nd WOC Middle (2018), 55th WOC Middle (2017), 63rd WOC Middle (2016), 77th WC #8, Middle (2019) Ranked 608th in World Ranking. | |
25. | Mathieu Perrin | FRA | 29th WOC Middle (2021), 8th EOC Middle (2022), 26th WC #5, Middle (2022), 46th WC #2, Middle (2023), 26th WC #5, Middle (2019), 29th WC #10, Middle (2018), 49th WC #1, Middle (2019), 4th JWOC Middle (2017), 6th JWOC Middle (2018) Ranked 31st in World Ranking. | |
26. | Eduardo Gil Marcos | ESP | 40th WOC Middle (2021), 51st WOC Middle (2019), 44th WOC Middle (2018), 20th WC #8, Middle (2019), 58th WC #2, Middle (2023), 91st WC #1, Middle (2019), 86th WC #2, Middle (2017), 109th EOC Middle (2014), 55th JWOC Middle (2013) Ranked 154th in World Ranking. | |
27. | Tomas Krivda | CZE | 36th WOC Middle (2021), 9th EOC Middle (2022), 16th WC #2, Middle (2023), 26th WC #6, Middle (2021), 41st WC #5, Middle (2022), 28th WC #10, Middle (2018), 49th WC #5, Middle (2019), 27th JWOC Middle (2019), 17th JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 25th in World Ranking. | |
28. | Rudolfs Zernis | LAT | 22nd WOC Middle (2019), 23rd WOC Middle (2018), 15th WC #5, Middle (2019), 36th WC #5, Middle (2022), 37th WC #6, Middle (2021), 54th WC #2, Middle (2023), 21st WC #1, Middle (2019), 50th WC #8, Middle (2018), 48th WC #2, Middle (2017) Ranked 38th in World Ranking. | |
29. | Nitsan Yasur | ISR | 44th WOC Middle (2019), 54th WOC Middle (2018), 49th EOC Middle (2022), 60th WOC Middle (2017), 77th WC #6, Middle (2021), 66th WC #8, Middle (2019), 94th WC #2, Middle (2023), 73rd WC #1, Middle (2019), 97th WC #5, Middle (2022) Ranked 132nd in World Ranking. | |
30. | Bjoern Cederberg | DEN | 40th WOC Middle (2019), 27th WOC Middle (2018), 45th WOC Middle (2016), 57th WC #2, Middle (2023), 51st EOC Middle (2016), 56th WC #5, Middle (2019), 92nd WC #1, Middle (2019), 106th WC #1, Middle (2016) Ranked 177th in World Ranking. | |
31. | Mathias Peter | AUT | 19th WOC Middle (2021), 51st EOC Middle (2018), 39th WC #2, Middle (2023), 32nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 39th WC #6, Middle (2021), 36th WC #8, Middle (2019), 37th WC #8, Middle (2018), 39th WC #10, Middle (2018), 55th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 65th in World Ranking. | |
32. | Jannis Bonek | AUT | 20th WOC Middle (2021), 21st WC #2, Middle (2023), 19th WC #5, Middle (2022), 35th WC #8, Middle (2019), 84th WC #6, Middle (2021), 29th JWOC Middle (2018), 33rd JWOC Middle (2017), 40th JWOC Middle (2016) Ranked 41st in World Ranking. | |
33. | Loïc Capbern | FRA | 5th EOC Middle (2022), 22nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 37th WC #2, Middle (2023), 37th WC #8, Middle (2019), 87th EOC Middle (2014), 68th WC #7, Middle (2017), 44th WC #13, Middle (2014), 35th JWOC Middle (2013) Ranked 36th in World Ranking. | |
34. | Topi Syrjalainen | FIN | 25th WOC Middle (2019), 14th WC #5, Middle (2022), 22nd WC #2, Middle (2023), 20th WC #6, Middle (2021), 34th WC #10, Middle (2018), 57th WC #5, Middle (2019), 61st WC #8, Middle (2019), 19th JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 24th in World Ranking. | |
35. | Anton Salmenkyla | USA | 37th WOC Middle (2019), 55th WOC Middle (2018), 48th EOC Middle (2018), 78th WC #8, Middle (2019), 78th WC #8, Middle (2018), 104th WC #1, Middle (2019), 29th JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 551st in World Ranking. | |
36. | Gaute Hallan Steiwer | NOR | 31st EOC Middle (2022), 25th EOC Middle (2018), 14th WC #2, Middle (2023), 9th WC #1, Middle (2019), 24th EOC Middle (2016), 12th WC #8, Middle (2019), 42nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 25th WC #5, Middle (2019), 21st WC #8, Middle (2018), Gold JWOC Middle (2010) Ranked 37th in World Ranking. | |
37. | Søren Thrane Ødum | DEN | 30th WOC Middle (2021), 35th WC #5, Middle (2022), 54th WC #6, Middle (2021), 9th JWOC Middle (2019), 46th JWOC Middle (2018) Ranked 47th in World Ranking. | |
38. | Martin Hubmann | SUI | 7th WC #6, Middle (2021), 8th EOC Middle (2016), 23rd WC #5, Middle (2022), 42nd WC #2, Middle (2023), 22nd WC #1, Middle (2019), 16th EOC Middle (2014), 31st WC #5, Middle (2019), 6th WC #1, Middle (2014), 44th WC #10, Middle (2018), Bronze JWOC Middle (2007) Ranked 19th in World Ranking. | |
39. | Jonas Hubacek | CZE | 30th EOC Middle (2022), 38th WC #2, Middle (2023), 52nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 62nd WC #5, Middle (2019), 55th WC #7, Middle (2017), 91st WC #2, Middle (2017), 26th JWOC Middle (2015) Ranked 76th in World Ranking. | |
40. | Algirdas Bartkevicius | LTU | 17th EOC Middle (2022), 49th WC #2, Middle (2023), 65th WC #8, Middle (2019), 102nd WC #5, Middle (2022), 92nd WC #5, Middle (2019), 91st EOC Middle (2014), 108th WC #1, Middle (2019), 73rd WC #1, Middle (2016), 105th WC #7, Middle (2017) Ranked 96th in World Ranking. |
Women: Tove Alexandersson striking back?
In the women’s class, Tove Alexandersson was probably the most disappointed medal winner after the Long distance – and she will surely want to show that she is still the world’s best orienteer on today’s middle distance. She had the speed and the shape on the Long distance, but did too many mistaked – will she strike back on the Middle? Alexandersson will get a hard battle from her own team mates, though. Sara Hagström has shown exceptional shape this year, winning the only World Cup race middle distance that has been organized this year, and showing excellent physical shape at the Long distance. Finally Hanna Lundberg should not be underestimated after an excellent qualification race, winning her heat, and running several very good World Cup middle distance races. Lundberg has also fresh legs after skipping the long distance ….
But of course, the main rival of Tove Alexandersson will again be Simona Aebersold, who too her first WOC gold medal onthe long distance on thursday. Aebersold has earlier proved herself as an excellent Middle runner, winning the European Champs Middle last year. For Switzerland we also should mention Natalia Gemperle who has several WOC Middle medals, including a Gold medal from 2018.
With a WOC Middle distance coming up we must not forget Finland – both Marika Teini and Venla Harju can run for victory on a perfect day, as they have shown already. Another pre-race favourite is the silver medlist from the last WOC Middle, the Norwgian Andrine Benjaminsen.
In addition to the main pre-race favourites mentioned above, you find several others on the list below which includes main middle distance results of most of the start field.
# | Name | Country | Picture | Results |
1. | Tove Alexandersson | SWE | Gold WOC Middle (2021), Gold WOC Middle (2019), Gold WOC Middle (2017), Gold WOC Middle (2016), Silver EOC Middle (2018), Gold WC #5, Middle (2022), Gold WC #6, Middle (2021), Gold EOC Middle (2016), Silver WC #2, Middle (2023), Gold WC #5, Middle (2019), Gold WC #1, Middle (2019), Gold WC #8, Middle (2019), Gold WC #8, Middle (2018), Silver WOC Middle (2013), Bronze WOC Middle (2014), Bronze EOC Middle (2014), Gold WC #2, Middle (2015), Gold WC #7, Middle (2014), Gold WC #1, Middle (2014), Silver WC #1, Middle (2016), Silver WOC Middle (2012), Gold WC #3, Middle (2013), Silver WC #5, Middle (2013), Silver WC #8, Middle (2013), Gold WC #9, Middle (2011), Gold JWOC Middle (2012), Gold JWOC Middle (2010), Gold JWOC Middle (2009), Silver JWOC Middle (2011) Ranked Silver in World Ranking. | |
2. | Simona Aebersold | SUI | Silver WOC Middle (2019), Gold EOC Middle (2022), Bronze WOC Middle (2021), Silver WC #6, Middle (2021), Bronze EOC Middle (2018), Silver WC #5, Middle (2019), 5th WC #2, Middle (2023), Gold JWOC Middle (2017), 5th WC #5, Middle (2022), Gold JWOC Middle (2016) Ranked Gold in World Ranking. | |
3. | Natalia Gemperle | SUI | Gold WOC Middle (2018), Bronze WOC Middle (2019), Bronze WOC Middle (2016), Silver WC #1, Middle (2019), Silver WC #8, Middle (2019), Gold WC #7, Middle (2017), Bronze WC #2, Middle (2023), 10th WOC Middle (2021), Silver WC #2, Middle (2017) Ranked 4th in World Ranking. | |
4. | Andrine Benjaminsen | NOR | Silver WOC Middle (2021), Silver WC #5, Middle (2022), Bronze WC #6, Middle (2021), 10th WOC Middle (2018), 37th WOC Middle (2017), 9th EOC Middle (2018), 39th EOC Middle (2022), 11th WC #2, Middle (2023), 13th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked Bronze in World Ranking. | |
5. | Marika Teini | FIN | Silver WOC Middle (2018), Gold EOC Middle (2018), 9th WOC Middle (2019), 5th EOC Middle (2022), Bronze EOC Middle (2016), 19th WOC Middle (2021), Bronze WC #1, Middle (2019), 6th WOC Middle (2016), 9th WOC Middle (2017), Bronze WC #7, Middle (2017) Ranked 16th in World Ranking. | |
6. | Venla Harju | FIN | Bronze WOC Middle (2019), Bronze WOC Middle (2017), Bronze EOC Middle (2022), 15th WOC Middle (2021), 7th WC #2, Middle (2023), 6th WC #1, Middle (2019), 17th WOC Middle (2014), 9th EOC Middle (2016), 14th WOC Middle (2013), Gold JWOC Middle (2008) Ranked 11th in World Ranking. | |
7. | Sara Hagström | SWE | Gold WC #2, Middle (2023), 5th WOC Middle (2021), 6th WOC Middle (2018), 4th WC #5, Middle (2022), 5th WC #6, Middle (2021), Gold JWOC Middle (2014), 10th WC #5, Middle (2019), 8th WC #7, Middle (2017), 16th WC #8, Middle (2019) Ranked 6th in World Ranking. | |
8. | Isia Basset | FRA | Bronze WOC Middle (2018), 7th WOC Middle (2021), 17th WOC Middle (2019), 17th WOC Middle (2017), 28th WOC Middle (2016), 30th EOC Middle (2018), 37th WOC Middle (2015), 38th WOC Middle (2014), 12th WC #6, Middle (2021) Ranked 38th in World Ranking. | |
9. | Evely Kaasiku | EST | Silver EOC Middle (2022), 17th WOC Middle (2021), 32nd WOC Middle (2019), 31st WOC Middle (2018), 16th WOC Middle (2017), 32nd WOC Middle (2016), 20th EOC Middle (2018), 13th WC #2, Middle (2023), 29th WOC Middle (2014) Ranked 27th in World Ranking. | |
10. | Sabine Hauswirth | SUI | 4th WOC Middle (2018), 6th WOC Middle (2019), 17th WOC Middle (2021), Silver WC #7, Middle (2017), Bronze WC #5, Middle (2019), 8th EOC Middle (2022), 7th WOC Middle (2016), 14th WOC Middle (2017), 7th EOC Middle (2018) Ranked 9th in World Ranking. | |
11. | Denisa Kosova | CZE | 8th WOC Middle (2021), 8th WOC Middle (2019), 20th WOC Middle (2016), 49th WOC Middle (2017), 6th WC #5, Middle (2019), 7th WC #10, Middle (2018), 20th WC #2, Middle (2023), 11th WC #6, Middle (2021), 50th EOC Middle (2018) Ranked 19th in World Ranking. | |
12. | Emily Kemp | CAN | 5th WOC Middle (2017), 4th WOC Middle (2016), 26th WOC Middle (2019), 4th EOC Middle (2016), 11th WOC Middle (2014), 36th WOC Middle (2015), 7th WC #2, Middle (2017), 26th WOC Middle (2013), 23rd WC #1, Middle (2019) Ranked 182nd in World Ranking. | |
13. | Hanna Lundberg | SWE | Gold JWOC Middle (2022), Gold JWOC Middle (2021), 4th WC #2, Middle (2023), 4th WC #6, Middle (2021), 7th WC #5, Middle (2022), 7th JWOC Middle (2019) Ranked 5th in World Ranking. | |
14. | Hanna Wisniewska | POL | 22nd WOC Middle (2021), 34th WOC Middle (2019), 24th WOC Middle (2017), 42nd WOC Middle (2018), 28th EOC Middle (2022), 42nd WOC Middle (2016), 21st WC #2, Middle (2023), 18th WC #6, Middle (2021), 30th WC #5, Middle (2022) Ranked 44th in World Ranking. | |
15. | Megan Carter-Davies | GBR | 26th WOC Middle (2021), 21st WOC Middle (2019), 20th WOC Middle (2018), 40th EOC Middle (2022), 10th WC #6, Middle (2021), 15th WC #2, Middle (2023), 43rd WC #5, Middle (2022), 24th WC #5, Middle (2019), 29th WC #1, Middle (2019) Ranked 28th in World Ranking. | |
16. | Vendula Horčičková | CZE | 8th WOC Middle (2017), 30th WOC Middle (2019), 16th WOC Middle (2018), 25th EOC Middle (2022), 18th EOC Middle (2018), 27th WOC Middle (2015), 8th WC #10, Middle (2018), 26th WC #6, Middle (2021), 38th WC #2, Middle (2023) Ranked 41st in World Ranking. | |
17. | Miri Thrane Ødum | DEN | 29th WOC Middle (2021), 38th WOC Middle (2019), 34th WOC Middle (2018), 40th WOC Middle (2017), 47th EOC Middle (2018), 29th WC #2, Middle (2023), 27th WC #6, Middle (2021), Gold JWOC Middle (2013), 24th WC #1, Middle (2019) Ranked 51st in World Ranking. | |
18. | Aleksandra Hornik | POL | 37th WOC Middle (2021), 20th WOC Middle (2019), 35th WOC Middle (2018), 51st WOC Middle (2016), Silver JWOC Middle (2016), 8th WC #8, Middle (2018), 21st WC #6, Middle (2021), 30th WC #2, Middle (2023), 44th WC #5, Middle (2022) Ranked 32nd in World Ranking. | |
19. | Sandra Grosberga | LAT | 29th WOC Middle (2019), 17th WOC Middle (2018), 26th WOC Middle (2017), 21st EOC Middle (2022), 28th WC #2, Middle (2023), 28th WC #6, Middle (2021), 43rd EOC Middle (2016), 51st WC #5, Middle (2019), 37th WC #7, Middle (2017) Ranked 44th in World Ranking. | |
20. | Lizzie Ingham | NZL | 38th WOC Middle (2019), 24th WOC Middle (2018), 22nd WOC Middle (2017), 24th WOC Middle (2016), 19th WOC Middle (2015), 20th WOC Middle (2014), 41st WC #8, Middle (2019), 38th WC #8, Middle (2018), 18th WOC Middle (2011) Ranked 143rd in World Ranking. | |
21. | Gabija Razaityte | LTU | 23rd WOC Middle (2019), 29th WOC Middle (2018), 33rd WOC Middle (2017), 29th WOC Middle (2015), 32nd WOC Middle (2014), 36th EOC Middle (2018), 23rd EOC Middle (2014), 26th WC #8, Middle (2018), 53rd WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 161st in World Ranking. | |
22. | Cecilie Friberg Klysner | DEN | 10th WOC Middle (2019), 28th WOC Middle (2017), 34th EOC Middle (2022), 32nd WC #6, Middle (2021), 34th WC #5, Middle (2022), 33rd EOC Middle (2016), 35th WC #5, Middle (2019), 45th WC #1, Middle (2019), 47th WC #8, Middle (2019) Ranked 48th in World Ranking. | |
23. | Andra Anghel | ROU | 47th WOC Middle (2021), 52nd WOC Middle (2019), 59th WOC Middle (2017), 48th WOC Middle (2015), 53rd WC #2, Middle (2023), 33rd WOC Middle (2011) Ranked 120th in World Ranking. | |
24. | Galina Ribediuc | MDA | 25th WOC Middle (2018), 43rd WOC Middle (2019), 56th WOC Middle (2017), 50th WOC Middle (2015), 57th WOC Middle (2014), 55th WC #5, Middle (2022), 72nd WC #2, Middle (2023), 54th WC #5, Middle (2019), 70th WC #8, Middle (2018) Ranked 176th in World Ranking. | |
25. | Cecile Calandry | FRA | 16th WOC Middle (2021), 30th EOC Middle (2022), 43rd WC #2, Middle (2023), 47th WC #5, Middle (2022), 57th WC #6, Middle (2021), 8th JWOC Middle (2021), 18th JWOC Middle (2019), 54th JWOC Middle (2018) Ranked 65th in World Ranking. | |
26. | Filipa Rodrigues | POR | 43rd WOC Middle (2021), 59th WOC Middle (2019), 57th WOC Middle (2017), 63rd WC #2, Middle (2023), 84th WC #1, Middle (2019) Ranked 193rd in World Ranking. | |
27. | Florence Hanauer | FRA | 30th WOC Middle (2021), 46th WOC Middle (2019), 50th WC #5, Middle (2022), 48th WC #8, Middle (2019), 70th WC #6, Middle (2021), 69th WC #1, Middle (2019), 72nd WC #5, Middle (2019), 64th WC #10, Middle (2018), 28th JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 111th in World Ranking. | |
28. | Jasmina Gassner | AUT | 31st WOC Middle (2021), 37th EOC Middle (2022), 47th WC #2, Middle (2023), 60th WC #6, Middle (2021), 7th JWOC Middle (2018), 28th JWOC Middle (2019), 15th JWOC Middle (2016), 34th JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 107th in World Ranking. | |
29. | Tereza Janosikova | CZE | 15th EOC Middle (2022), Bronze JWOC Middle (2019), 10th WC #5, Middle (2022), 34th EOC Middle (2018), 13th WC #6, Middle (2021), 32nd WC #2, Middle (2023), 22nd WC #8, Middle (2019), 4th JWOC Middle (2018), 49th WC #5, Middle (2019) Ranked 15th in World Ranking. | |
30. | Ane Dyrkorn | NOR | 4th EOC Middle (2022), 18th WC #2, Middle (2023), 23rd WC #5, Middle (2022) Ranked 34th in World Ranking. | |
31. | Zsofia Sarkozy | HUN | 41st WOC Middle (2019), 46th WOC Middle (2018), 39th WC #6, Middle (2021), 77th WC #2, Middle (2023), 80th WC #5, Middle (2022), 6th JWOC Middle (2018), 81st WC #8, Middle (2018), 30th JWOC Middle (2019) Ranked 107th in World Ranking. | |
32. | Vanessa Round | AUS | 23rd WOC Middle (2018), 36th WOC Middle (2016), 28th EOC Middle (2018), 43rd WOC Middle (2013), 9th WC #3, Middle (2014), 64th EOC Middle (2014), 31st WOC Middle (2012), 33rd WOC Middle (2008), 35th WOC Middle (2011) Ranked 545th in World Ranking. | |
33. | Anika Gassner | AUT | 27th WOC Middle (2021), 35th WC #6, Middle (2021), 58th WC #2, Middle (2023), 69th WC #5, Middle (2019), 82nd WC #1, Middle (2019), 82nd WC #8, Middle (2018), 80th WC #7, Middle (2017), 95th WC #2, Middle (2017), 24th JWOC Middle (2014) Ranked 94th in World Ranking. | |
34. | Sanna Fast | SWE | 10th EOC Middle (2022), Silver JWOC Middle (2018), 19th WC #5, Middle (2022), 6th JWOC Middle (2017), 21st JWOC Middle (2015) Ranked 29th in World Ranking. | |
35. | Iliana Ilieva | BUL | 54th WOC Middle (2018), 46th WOC Middle (2017), 47th WOC Middle (2014), 22nd WOC Middle (2005), 25th WOC Middle (2011), 71st WC #8, Middle (2018), 33rd WOC Middle (2006), 35th WOC Middle (2010), 36th WOC Middle (2009) Ranked 905th in World Ranking. | |
36. | Marine Sillien | BEL | 53rd WOC Middle (2021), 58th EOC Middle (2022), 75th WC #5, Middle (2022), 93rd WC #6, Middle (2021), 53rd JWOC Middle (2017) Ranked 225th in World Ranking. | |
37. | Patricia Nieke | GER | 38th WOC Middle (2021), 51st EOC Middle (2016), 71st WC #5, Middle (2022), 71st WC #10, Middle (2018), 94th WC #1, Middle (2019), 65th WC #7, Middle (2017), 87th WC #8, Middle (2018), 82nd WC #2, Middle (2017), 67th WC #1, Middle (2016) Ranked 209th in World Ranking. | |
38. | Hinako Inage | JPN | 40th WOC Middle (2021), 45th WOC Middle (2013), 63rd WC #8, Middle (2019), 88th WC #5, Middle (2022), 86th WC #8, Middle (2018), 107th WC #2, Middle (2017) Ranked 273rd in World Ranking. | |
39. | Ingrid Lundanes | NOR | 32nd EOC Middle (2022), 24th WC #2, Middle (2023), 16th WC #5, Middle (2022), 38th WC #1, Middle (2019), 32nd WC #10, Middle (2018), 44th WC #8, Middle (2018), 15th JWOC Middle (2017), 18th JWOC Middle (2016) Ranked 36th in World Ranking. | |
40. | Ewa Gwozdz | POL | 35th WOC Middle (2021), 70th WC #2, Middle (2023), 78th WC #1, Middle (2019), 57th WC #1, Middle (2016), 92nd WC #2, Middle (2017), 66th WC #6, Middle (2015) Ranked 233rd in World Ranking. |
Emily Kemp and Hinako Inage were outside of top-15 during Middle-Q, but they both run in the Middle final! Why is so?
The rules say:
12.10 In the Middle distance final, the competitors placed number 15 and better in each qualification race heat may participate. Further places up to a maximum of 60 (subject to clause b) are selected as follows:
(a) The best placed runner from Federations which do not have a runner in the first 15 of any heat, considered in the order of their placing in the qualification race heats (If two athletes from the same country have the same place in different heats, the one who is the least time behind the winner of their heat is chosen).
(b) If two or more runners from different countries are tied for the last qualifying place under (a), all may participate in the final.
(c) In order to be selected for the final under (a) or (b), an athlete must have been within 100% of the heat winner’s time in their qualification race.
Many thanks for explanations! That’s a new information for me.