Nopesport

So we reach our first final of WOC 2006 and its been a good day for team GBR. Helen Bridle reach her highest ever WOC position in 6th place. Helen told nopesport that she was very confident after the sprint qualification and carried through to the final. The speaker announced her 4th at the spectator control so she took the last loop carefully as she knew it would be tricky.

Pippa Whitehouse and an excellent WOC debut finishing in 12th position and Sarah Rollins rounded off a good day for the women with a 16th place.

However it was a golden day for Australia as young Hanny Allston took 1st place fresh of her JWOC classic gold medal in Lithuania. Hanny told nopesport this was 'pretty big' and orienteering is a large part of her life. It has been a tough year for hanny both in and out of orienteering but she came good for the WOC final.

Simone Niggli-Luder not winning gold for the 1st time in two years told nopesport this was not a perfect race for her. She was not her normal 'step in front' and 'there was no good flow'. However she joked it was her first WOC silver medal!

The British guys had a mixed day. Graham Gristwood attained a career best 9th position. He told nopesport he was very aware coming through the spectator control that he was in the lead. GG remarked he has now been through the whole range of emotions including getting to WOC, qualifying for a final and even leading a final. GG has a very big grin on his face right now, his parents told nopesport they were over the moon and 'huggie'.

David Brickhill-Jones was visably disappointed at the finish, as he punched the ground in frustration about his run. However he managed to have a few words with nopesport later in the day. A mistake across the long leg (22secs) due to hesitation and in the final loop (20secs) resulted in BJ missing out in a top 10 position. He did comment however that if he was offered 17th place back in May when he got injured he'd gladly have taken it. He was also quite happy that Claus Block did not win as they had a 'minor disagreement' with him prior to a PWT race.

Nopesport also caught up with Matt Speake, who for his high standards had a disappionting day. Speakey really focused on the middle this year but missed out to Matt Crane by 2secs at the selection races. Speakey has also found it hard to peak at the right times after having an excellent result in Jukola earlier in the year. However knowing Speakey, he will go back and put even more effort for Ukraine 2007.

Tomorrow is the long final and Jamie Stevenson is looking forward to it. "it is going to be a long day" Jamie comments. We will be back at the same time tomorrow with news, views and insightful comments so check back then.

From a sodden Aarhus this is the WOC-live team signing off.