Nopesport

27-year-old Swiss Simone Niggli-Luder won the women’s gold medal in orienteering at the 2005 World Games in Bottrop on Saturday in 36min44sec. 26 seconds back, Germany’s Karin Schmalfeld was runner-up in 37min10sec. “The course demanded high concentration at the right time and a high pace”, the winner
said afterwards. Great Britain’s Heather Monro gained bronze in 38min26sec.
Britain’s other entrants on the women’s courses were Sarah Rollins who finished 16th in a time of 41.44 and Helen Winskill who finished in 25th in a time of 43.44

France’s reigning World champion Thierry Gueorgiou ran the middle distance in the men’s event in 38min10sec defeating Switzerland’s Daniel Hubmann (38min31sec) and Norway’s Oystein Kvaal Osterbo (38min33sec) into second and third position. The relatively flat course suited new 2005 World Games champion: “The pace was very high, especially in the woods.” Britain was represented by Matthew Crane and Nick Barrable. Craney finished in a commendable 15th place in a time of 40:17. Nick was 32nd in a time of 43.23.

The organisers were praised by Ake Jakobson, the President of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF): “The dry, warm weather was fortunate for our sport. We had a fair competition in a wonderful atmosphere today in Bottrop.” Jakobson and Bottrop’s Lord Mayer Peter Noetzel awarded the medals at Jahn Stadium.

Switzerland’s orienteering runners landed a clear victory in the mixed relay on Sunday. Matthias Merz, Lea Mueller, Daniel Hubmann and 2005 World Games “Queen” Simone Niggli-Luder gained the gold medal in 88min39.0sec on the 18.6km long course in Bottrop. It was Niggli-Luder’s second World Games title after her victory in the individual event on Saturday.

The battle for second and third place was thrilling until the last second. In the end Tanya Ryabkina and her Russian team-mates Sergey Detkov, Aliya Sitdikova and Maxim Davydov triumphed by a tenth of a second in 99min18.8sec over Dana Brozkova, of the Czech Republic. “I did my best and am happy that we finally achieved a medal”, Brozkova said.

Britain had a good day out mixing it up with the medal postitions for most of the race.

Nick Barrable came back after first leg in second position behind Oystein Kvaal Osterbo of Norway. Sarah Rollins then brought GBR back in the lead after leg two. However Matt Crane let the lead slip and Heather Monro brought back the team in a credible 5th place overall.

Courtesy of the World Games

Individual Results

Relay Results

Maps and comment from Oystein Kvaal