Nopesport

Australia's David Brickhill-Jones got off to the perfect start today at the prologue event of the Mediteranean Open Sprint Championships, held in historic Gallipoli in Italy. Over the 2.6km course BJ went out hard and had a lead of 5 seconds after only 4 controls, and managed to stretch this lead to almost 18 seconds by the end, taking 7 of the fastest splits on the 14 control course. He won in a time of 12:25.5 with Norweigan Øystein Kvaal Østerbo, 3rd overall in the PWT last year, in 2nd spot in a time of 12:42.9, just ahead of Dane Claus Hallingdahl Bloch. British interest came in the form of Allan Bogle who, after a successful winter season on the Irish XC Circuit, came in 11th with a time of 13:38.0 - 5 seconds ahead of Finn Mats Haldin, 2nd overall in last years PWT. The top Italian men were in 7th & 8th places, seperated by only .5 of a second, suggesting the battle to be Mediteranean Sprint Champion, and the 500 Euro prize that goes along with it could well be tight.

In the women's race it was Lithuania's Ieva Sargautyte who won the 2.7km course in a time of 15:47.3. Times were more spaced in the women's race with 2nd place Emma Dahlstedt 8 seconds down while 3rd place Dana Brozkova was another 10 seconds off the pace. Britain's Helen Bridle was 13th with a time of 18:15 so will be looking to improve on Thursday when the PWT & MOSC kicks off properly in Otranto. One of the biggest problems for all competitors today was the weather, with temperatures of only around 5°C coupled with a strong wind meant difficult running conditions.

Click for Men's Results and Women's Results.

3rd Place for Dana Brozkova (courtesy of pwt.org)