Nopesport

Last weekend saw a major relay take place near Stockholm in Sweden. Most of the top Nordic clubs used the relay as a test for TioMila, held in a similar area in three weeks time.

Mats Haldin anchored Halden to victory in the mens race ahead of the 'in form' Kristiansand OK, winners of the SpringCup relay. While Halden have a similar squad to last year, Kristiansand have a lot of fresh faces. Following World Champion Jorgen Rostrups move to the South Norway club two years ago several of Norways other top elites have been attracted to join, including Holger Hott-Johansen and Anders Norberg formerly of Baekkelagets. Dan Marston anchored the Baekkelagets team - missing Bjornar Valstad - to 19th place. In fact Valstad was only in the second team, as he is recovering from an illness we think.

A lot of British team runners ran the relay after a team training camp in Nybro last week. Matt Speake, Matt Crane and Nick Barrable all ran first leg but were beaten by the old man of British orienteering, Steven Palmer who finished 6th showing he cannot be ruled out of a comeback at WOC this year.

In the Womens relay Jo Stevenson ran in the bronze medal winning team for her new club Sodertalje-Nykvarn Orientering. They were beaten by the strong OK Linne and last years Venla (womens Jukola) winners Tampereen Pyrinto. Perhaps the upset of the day was that Spring Cup winners Mullerrice OK finished only 8th, Super Noodles and Jenny Johansson struggling to recover from a weak first leg.

Kolmardenskavlen