Nopesport

Jamie Stevenson (Alternativet)

‘YESSS!!!!’ That’s the sound of Bronze medallist Jamie Stevenson when Thierry Gueorgiou, despite a great last loop, failed to get in front of the British Number 1.

Today Great Britain secured their first medal at the World Championships and their first since 2003 when Jamie Stevenson finished an amazing 3rd place in the Middle Distance Final.

Nopesport managed to get access to all of the action from today in Denmark where for all the supporters of team GBR the excitement just kept building and building.

Jamie came through the first radio control 56 seconds down on Jarkko Huovila. Jamie commented that the first long leg 4 -5 was a tough one after a great start to number 4. Jamie was still feeling the long race yesterday and this may have affected him on the first tough leg. Jamie then had a good run coming through to the spectator control in a very close time to the leader Holger Hott Johanson. After the spectator control Jamie had a controlled race making a good time through the last complicated section to finish 11 seconds down on overall leader Holger Hott Johanson. Jamie looked very strong and composed when orienteering through the final loop. The TV cameras showed Jamie looking relaxed and in control of his race. There was now time for the agonising wait as firstly Gonon, then Wingstedt and Merz failed to beat Jamie’s time. Jarkko Huovila, who had made led the race through the spectator control, made some mistakes in the final part and managed to let the lead slip away. Unfortunately for Jamie he finished in enough time to take away the Silver. Now only one person could take away the bronze, Tero Gueorgiou the World Champion, mistakes early in the course made everyone discount Tero but a fightback in the final loop made it close. However it was not to be for the Frenchman and the top three were confirmed as Holger, Jarkko and Jamie.

Jamie managed to have a few words between getting congratulations from his team mates and the team staff. ‘I am very pleased. The podium is excellent. I was pretty nervous waiting for Jarkko and then Thierry to come in. I am proud of my performance today. I had hope for a good result. I was disappointed after the classic which I was very focussed on. I was ten seconds down but this doesn’t take the edge off the performance. I am happy with bronze’. The comparisons were made with three years ago ‘the feelings are not so different to 2003 standing on the podium is special. It’s special to do it in my new home country. Holger was the best and is number one but this is good. I didn’t dare to believe I had a medal but now I have it.’

Dave Peel told Nopesport ‘I’m pretty happy. This medal is deserved. This is sweet’
Jenny Peel told Nopesport ‘This must be a good feeling. He (Jamie) knows when he’s on form and when he’s relaxed and running hard then its good for him’

Jon Duncan also had an excellent race finishing in 18th place, 2mins 31 seconds down on Holger. Jon was really pleased with his run and was confident of a top twenty position. Jon has had a great individual week with a 17th place in the long.

Craney was ‘gutted’ with his performance. ‘There were not many mistakes in my race but it was tough going’ Craney complained of some stomach problems and remarked that he had no speed and was in third gear all the way round. This is Craney’s best WOC result and his first time qualifying for a final. Craney feels there is much more left inside him the preparation was right and hopefully the future will see better results.

1. Holger Hott Johansen NOR 35.49.4
2. Jarkko Houvila FIN +0.08.9
3. Jamie Stevenson GBR +0.10.6
18. Jon Duncan GBR +2.31.6
39. Matthew Crane GBR +7.32.6

So a great day for Jamie and the team. The competition concludes tomorrow with the relay.

Jamie and Jarkko Houvilla (Alternativet)