Friday’s middle distance races at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Karlskrona delivered a day of high-quality technical orienteering, with Sweden’s Felicia Persson and Norway’s Sondre Olaussen taking the world titles in the women’s and men’s competitions.
The demanding courses in the forests of Blekinge combined intricate navigation with open granite terrain and slower sections of blueberry-covered forest, rewarding athletes who maintained concentration and precision throughout.
In the women’s race, Felicia Persson produced the standout performance of the day. Taking the lead early in the course, she continued to extend her lead before securing the world title by 1 minute and 46 seconds.
Persson on her way to the JWOC-title.
Hungary’s Janka Mikes claimed the silver medal after another strong international performance, while Finland’s Anni Jantunen completed the podium with bronze following a closely contested battle for the medals.
The men’s competition proved considerably closer. Norway’s Sondre Olaussen delivered a fast and consistent run to claim gold, finishing 22 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Ludwig Rosén.
Men’s podium
The battle for bronze went down to the final finishers. Sweden’s Edvin Johansson Liljegren secured third place by just three seconds ahead of Hungary’s Mihaly Csoboth, while Denmark’s Mads Christian Maarup was only a further two seconds behind in fifth.