The teams and spectators at the Junior World Orienteering Championship in Czechia saw a thrilling sprint race on Tuesday, where Elli Punto (FIN) and Michaela Novotna (CZE) tied for the gold in the women’s class, and Switzerland’s Matthieu Bührer won by two seconds in the men’s.
Today’s sprint took place in the historic city centre of Stříbro, offering a challenging network of narrow streets and some meters to climb during the 3,2 and 3,5 kilometers for women and men respectively.
The athletes were constantly challenged by route choices on the courses and it made for a very entertaining competition to follow.
Halfway through the women’s course, three athletes shared the lead: Lucie Dittrichova (CZE), Annabelle Delenne (FRA) and Seline Sannwald (SUI).
But when the Czech took a slower route on the following long leg and Delenne and Sannwald couldn’t quite sustain the momentum from their fast start, it paved the way for others.
And the race wasn’t decided until the very last meters.
Michaela Novotna had a three second lead at the last control, but a masterful sprint by Elli Punto meant that they tied for win.
Henriette Radzikowski (SUI) squeezed into third place, four seconds behind the winning time and two seconds ahead of fellow Swiss Sannwald.
Close finish in men’s race
In the men’s race a handful of athletes were in contention for the title until control 15, the third to last.
On the long leg there, today’s bronze medalist Loïc Berger (SUI) and Guilhem Verove (FRA) made small but crucial mistakes that sent them out of the fight for gold.
Instead, Matthieu Bührer kept cool to take the win and was accompanied on the podium by Norway’s Iver Dalsaune Thun and compatriot Loïc Berger, who held the lead halfway.
Slovakia’s Filip Jancik was just one second away from the bronze.
Go to IOF LIVE for results and GPS-tracking
On Wednesday, a completely different challenge awaits the JWOC-athletes when it comes to the long distance in a tough, hilly terrain.
First start is at 9:00 CEST (UTC +2) and the TV broadcast begins at 11:00.
Go to IOF LIVE for start lists and links to IOF TV
Photo: JWOC 2024