The World Orienteering Championships kicked off on Tuesday morning in western Genova, where the qualification for the individual sprint took place.
And here the athletes got a taste of what it takes to become world champion later in the day:
Navigating in asymmetrical streets, difficult route choices and warm southern European summer weather.
Judita Traubaite (LTU) racing towards position 24 in women’s heat 3 in the populated Genova streets on Tuesday morning. Photo: Kristina Lindgren
The athletes were divided into three heats per gender and the top 15 in each heat secured a place in the final.
Heat winners were:
Tino Polsini (SUI), Isac von Krusenstierna (SWE), Kasper Fosser (NOR)
Pia Young Vik (NOR), Tereza Rauturier (CZE), Hanna Lundberg (SWE)
Full results from the qualification here
None of the reigning World Champions in Sprint: Tove Alexandersson and Martin Regborn (both SWE) are racing in Genova, so we will see new World Champions in the afternoon.
Follow the races in IOF TV and IOF LIVE from 14:00 Tuesday afternoon.
Find links for start lists, results, GPS-navigation, IOF TV here