Photo:  (front left): GB John Kewley deep in concentration on Day 2 of the PreO.  Credit:   Joaquim Margarido

Competitors on Day 2 of the PreO had a long and tough course with 28 problems around the spectacular but exposed Tolvmanstegen windfarm. Although the weather began bright and sunny, later there was a brief but heavy thunderstorm which affected all but the earliest starters.  Later on mist and low cloud then made conditions difficult for the Public race.

As expected, there were many positional changes by the end of the competition. In the Open class the eventual winner was Martin Fredholm of Sweden, who had a perfect round of 28 points, finishing on 48 points. The next six competitors had 47 points with the overnight leader, Martin Jullum of Norway taking silver, and Janis Ruksans of Latvia taking bronze, based on accumulated time taken at the timed controls.

Nick Barrable was the best placed Brit in 25th place, with John Kewley 30th and Ian Ditchfield 46th.

Photo:  Nick Barrable competing.  Credit:  Joaquim Margarido

In the Paralympic competition Michael Johansson of Sweden, who had a perfect score of 28 points and a better score at the timed control, overtook overnight leader Pavel Shmatov of Russia. Both finished on a total of 46 points, with the legendary Ola Jansson of Sweden (who has won more World Trail Orienteering Championship medals than anyone else) finishing a point behind in bronze.

Photo:  Competitors on Day 2 in the PreO at the World Trail Orienteering Championships.  On the right:  GB Dick Keighley.
Credit:  Joaquim Margarido

GB Dick Keighley, who had a much better second round, overtook GB Peter Roberts to finish in 25th place, ahead of Peter in 28th.  Peter, who was greatly handicapped by having a puncture in a tyre of his electric wheelchair at control 3, did well to finish the course.

Overall Paralympic competition results.  

There were also some very good British results in the Public race, with highlights being Tom Fellbaum’s overall 12th place and Grace Malloy’s perfect score of 16 points in today’s race.

Overall Public race results.  

Great Britain Trail Orienteering Relay team announced:
The Selectors have decided that the team for the TrailO Relay in the Open class (in running order) is John Kewley, Tom Dobra and Nick Barrable, with the unlucky Ian Ditchfield missing out.


Item posted by Jennie Taylor, Marketing Manager on behalf of Richard Keighley, Chair of TrailO Development Steering Group, British Orienteering.