Favourite Hanna Lundberg, Sweden really showed her class with victory by 3:10 in today’s Middle race, retaining her title from last year. Winner of the men’s race by 19 seconds was the much improved Hungarian Zoltan Bujdoso.
Hanna Lundberg on her way to the victory. Photo: Susana Luzir /JWOC 2022
An early leader in the women’s race was Rita Maramarosi, Hungary who set a good time of 27:07 on the 3.5 km course, beaten more than an hour later by Eeva Liina Ojanaho, Finland who was 39 seconds quicker despite one mistake. Favourite Hanna Lundberg, Sweden had a start time in the middle of the field; there is no seeding in the JWOC start lists, and the qualification race that is usually a part of the JWOC programme was removed to allow for 3 races in a compact weekend. Lundberg set a new fastest time by 1:08 at the 1.5 km point and went on to show similarly impressive form throughout, finishing in a time of 23:18, 3:10 quicker than Ojanaho. Later another Swede, Elsa Sonesson, also ran strongly to finish in silver medal position, 2:50 down on Lundberg’s time, and Ojanaho ended with the bronze.
Zoltan Bujdoso won by 19 seconds today. Photo: Susana Luzir / JWOC 2022
From a start within the first hour, Nathan Manchand, France set a fast time to beat, 25:38 with a lead of 41 seconds. Later in the morning, Zoltan Bujdoso, Hungary finished in a time 1:18 quicker than Manchand’s. Only Noel Braun, Sweden was quicker over the first 1.5 km.; he was heading for the gold medal, but lost his SI card near control 14, and by the time he found it he had lost several places. The Finn Touko Seppa challenged Bujdoso’s time for a while and finished 22 seconds slower. Edvin Nilsson, Sweden came later with a very strong challenge to Bujdoso, and was just 10 seconds down at 3.6 km., but he finished 19 seconds down in second place, 3 seconds ahead of Seppa.
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The mixed open and forested terrain had lots of bare rock together with crags and boulders, allowing the planner to set tricky legs diagonally across rocky slopes. The sunny and warm weather was perfect for today’s race.
Tomorrow the relay races will be held, the women’s race starting at 10.00 GMT and the men’s at 12.00.
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Leading results
Women
- Hanna Lundberg SWE 23:18
- Elsa Sonesson SWE 26:08
- Eeva Liina Ojanaho FIN 26:28
- Rita Maramarosi HUN 27:07
- Salla Isoherranen FIN 27:12
- Alina Niggli SUI 27:30
Men
- Zoltan Bujdoso HUN 24:20
- Edvin Nilsson SWE 24:39
- Touko Seppa FIN 24:42
- Komelius Kriszat Løvfald NOR 24:46
- Jakub Chaloupsky CZE 24:47
- Ilian Angeli ITA 25:15