A strong New Zealand mens' orienteering team is ready to take on the Worlds best at the 26th World Championships in Miskolc, Hungary.
With more than 360 competitors from 40 nations entered, it will be a huge challenge just to qualify for the finals.
Chris Forne and Ross Morrison are the experienced campaigners of the team, both having many finals appearances and best-ever results for New Zealand.
Forne (32), who runs for Peninsula and Plains (Christchurch) and Wing OK (Norway) has New Zealand's best sprint result (27th) to his name as well as previous World titles in Adventure racing and Rogaining.
Morrison (24, Hawkes Bay OC, Odense OK, OK Pan Århus) is equally well-regarded by the worlds elite, with a 10th place in the World Games sprint, a win at the Dansk Park Tour series, and the JK Sprint this year.
The team's chances for a big Championships have been boosted by their having successful Danish coach Kenneth Buch on the staff, who is particularly impressed with the strength of Forne and Morrison.
Buch, based in Norway, was coach of their junior National team when Norwegian Olav Lundanes won four Junior World titles in Switzerland and Australia.
Six days of racing at this years Championships include qualifications and finals for Sprint, Middle and Long distances, and the team relay.
Forne and Morrison will team up with either of the rapidly improving Bryn Davies (24, Red Kiwis OC - Palmerston North, South Yorkshire OC, Kape OK) or Greg Flynn (27, North West OC Auckland) for the relay.
Davies and Flynn have both shown benefits from racing World Cups and other internationals in Europe this year - including Davies winning a British selection trial.
Competition commences with the Middle distance qualification race at 10am Sunday 16 August (8pm New Zealand time) and concludes with the Long distance final on Sunday 23 August.
Forn, Morrison and Flynn will be lining up for New Zealand first in the Middle distance race in the steep forests of Bükkszentkereszt, near Miskolc.
World Orienteering Championships Program
Sun Aug 16: Middle Distance Qualification
Mon Aug 17: Long Distance Qualification
Wed Aug 19: Middle Distance Final
Thur Aug 20: Sprint Distance Qualification (09.00)
Thur Aug 20: Sprint Distance Final (16.20)
Fri Aug 21: Relay – Mass Start Men (11.00) Women (13.45)
Sun Aug 23: Long Distance Final
Live results via:
The world of O website - http://www.worldofo.com/
World Orienteering Championships 09 website - http://tajfutovb2009.hu/
