Nopesport

Matt with his Dad, Barrie after the qualifier

Sprint Qualifiers

On an overcast morning the WOC Sprint Qualifiers got underway. First off were the women.

Sarah Rollins and Helen Bridle both qualified with ease with an 8th and 9th respectively in their heats. Once they both warmed down they were headed back to the hotel for a massage and lunch. They are due back to the check-in area for the sprint final one hour before their start.

Unfortunately once again it was commiserations to Hannah, as she missed out on qualifying through a two-minute mistake on a control near the end. Hannah had the tricky choice of going for the straight option or round on a path. In going straight she missed the control, otherwise she would have undoubtedly qualified for the final.

After her race Helen Bridle said, “It was very easy out there with lots of paths and fast running.” Helen reckoned anyone in the top 5 of the heats were in with a chance for the medals. Not to put Sarah and herself down, she reckons they are both on top form and will be also going for medals. Although Simone Luder’s run was awesome with the fastest qualifying time. Beating her in the final at present looks almost unfathomable.

After the women finished, it was the men’s turn to go out on what were to be very similar courses. First to start was JD, running very strongly and had a fasted time through one of the early radio controls. Just 5 minutes later we got a chance to see Matt Speake, running the spectator leg along the side of the finish arena, he was running very fast picking off 2 other runners. 4 minutes later he came into the finish field to secure qualification in a good time for his first WOC.

Last to start of the Brits was GG, still only a junior as a proud GB junior coach was happy to point out, he flew round with what at the spectator leg looked a good time but by the end GG qualified by only 4 secs.

Of the non-brits, Thierry looks impressive as ever as he eased up to cross the line, one of the favourites to win.

Don’t be Smarmy; join Speaky’s Barmy army!

Helen on the run in SQ