Nopesport

As expected the JWOC Long Distance Race was very long, very tough and very steep. And the tropical conditions with the top competitors running in the heat
of the day did not make it any easier.

The Girls race was a very Scandinavian dominated affair, with Norwegians taking
Gold and Silver, a Finn Bronze and five Swedes in the top 10. The mens race was
completely different: 8 nations in the top ten, but still a Norwegian on top.

Olav Lundanes is the name on everyones lips following his astonishing
performance today. Running off the last start in the heat of the day he
demolished the competition, winning by nearly five minutes, the greatest
winning margin in JWOC history. He took victory from the Swiss Andreas
Rüger, who he passed on the way to the last control, and in third Phillippe Adamski took his second medal of the week.

Mari Fasting was the surprise winner of the girls race – a suprise even to her
as she was 8 minutes over the estimated winning time, from an early start. Her
teammate Elise Egseth missed a control on the final loop which cost her the
gold, finishing 14 seconds behind. It was very nearly a Norwegian clean sweep
when last starter Betty Anne Bjerkreim Nilsen looked a certainty for a medal,
however mistakes in the final part of the corse saw her slip to 4th, then when
she finished it became clear that she was DSQ, allowing Paula Iso-Markku to
take the bronze medal and put a dampner on the Norwegian party.

Scott Fraser ran an solid race and finished in 12th position, 15 minutes behind Lundanes. The collected Brits in Switzerland think this is the second best Male Long result after Ed Nash's 11th place in Bulgaria, but we're willing to be corrected! The result caps a consitently good week for Scott who will now lead the relay team on Saturday.

Dan Halliday achieved a great top 30 result, beatine some highly noteable
runners along the way. "Hills. Hills, hills and more hills" was all James Tullie could remember of his race, by far the toughest JWOC classic of recent years

In the girls race Mhairi did not start because of a virus she developed at the
weekend which worsened after the middle race. She is undecided about whether
she will run in the relay. In her absence the best Brit was Helen Gardner who took the 41st position, 20 minutes behind the winner. Behind her Lizze Adams ran well, while Jess, Alison and Cerys were all quite disapointed with their results.

The teams have a rest day tomorrow before Saturdays relay, which there is a buzz surrounding as the terrain is a bit different & faster, more open and maybe even less steep.