Great running from the New Zealand team saw three orienteers in the top 30 for the second day running at the Junior World Championships in Poland.
Toby Scott and Angela Simpson ran strongly over a tough, hilly course to each finish 22nd while team-mate Matt Ogden was close behind with an excellent 30th place.
The 11km long mens course was a big test of endurance and mental strength requiring intense navigational focus through the steep and open forests of Wejherowo Park.
 Mens long distance course(Photo: NZ Orienteering Federation; click to enlarge) |
Toby Scott improved on his opening day sprint 30th place with a gutsy 22nd.
"It was tough" said Scott "I had a pretty decent run, with a small mistake early on, losing about 30 seconds overshooting the control. I could have been a bit stronger over the hills. "
A river crossing near the end almost stopped him from finishing: "I cramped up really badly at that river."
Matt Ogden was again in great form in the top 30 and has his favourite distance – the middle – to look forward to, after a rest day.
Norwegian Yngve Skogstad won gold in the mens race, ahead of Austrian Robert Merl.
While not on the podium on the second day, 22nd placed Simpson was the pick of the online supporters, polling as the favourite to win the women's championship early on, polling at 30% against eventual winner Ida Bobach on 27%.
Simpson's top fitness – including a recent 79 minute half marathon - should give her a strong chance against Bobach in Thursday's middle distance final.
But firstly she will need to finish in the top third of Wednesday's qualification race.
Denmark took gold and silver in the womens, with Ida Bobach picking up a 6th gold medal and Emma Klingenberg once again runner-up.
Kate Morrison ran her heart out to finish two minutes behind Simpson in 35th place, and is looking forward to the rest day before the middle qualifiers.
Consistency and mental strength have become the trademark of this years Junior team, who are fit and able to produce excellent results in the races that count.
The next big test for the team, who are shaping up to produce our best ever results, will be to qualify as many as possible for the middle distance final.
Official Results: Junior World Orienteering Championships - Long Distance
Women (131 starters)
1. Bobach, Ida (Denmark) 0:55:23
2. Klingenberg, Emma (Denmark) 0:56:51
3. Alexandersson, Tove (Sweden) 0:57:37
4. Chepaeva, Natalia (Russia) 1:00:54
5. Närhi, Anna (Finland) 1:01:14
6. Kutkaite, Aušrine (Lithuania) 1:01:21
...
22. Simpson, Angela (New Zealand) 1:04:37
35. Morrison, Kate (New Zealand) 1:07:00
91. Robertson, Laura (New Zealand) 1:20:41
98. Metherell, Selena (New Zealand) 1:25:08
102. Gray, Anna (New Zealand) 1:27:09
106. Goodwin, Jaime (New Zealand) 1:29:29
Men (158 starters)
1 Skogstad, Yngve (Norway) 1:08:49
2 Mer,l Robert (Austria) 1:10:23
3 Basset, Lucas (France) 1:10:36
4 Howald, Florian (Switzerland) 1:12:03
5 Kubát, Pavel (Czech Republic) 1:12:17
6 Tikhonov, Gleb (Russia) 1:13:29
...
22 Scott, Toby (New Zealand) 1:17:03
30 Ogden, Matt (New Zealand) 1:18:47
90 Hann, Nick (New Zealand) 1:33:13
93 Robertson, Tim (New Zealand) 1:34:07
95 Beveridge, Gene (New Zealand) 1:34:33
