Sprint Final: Maja Alm retains her title

Sprint Final: Maja Alm retains her title

Maja Alm, Denmark stormed round the varied and tricky Final course in Strömstad this afternoon to take the gold medal for the second year in succession, 25.7 seconds quicker than silver medallist Judith Wyder, Switzerland.

Anastasia Denisova, Belarus ran a very controlled race to take the bronze, 42.7 seconds down on Maja Alm’s time. Russia’s Galina Vinogradova was fourth, and Rahel Friederich and Elena Roos provided Switzerland with three athletes in the first six.

On a cloudy afternoon with some spots of rain, a large crowd gathered in the delightful arena by the waterside to watch first the Opening ceremony and then the Sprint Final. The Championships were opened by IOF President Brian Porteous, performing one of his final tasks; he is retiring from the Presidency at the General assembly this coming week.

In the Final, an early leader was Denisa Kosova, Czech Republic. The lead then changed several times before Anastasia Denisova took a definitve lead by 42 seconds, but then it became clear that Maja Alm was clearly getting into gear in the second half of the race (there was a map exchange at the arena passage) and was on the way to another victory. Judith Wyder worked hard to try to catch up on her time, but was unsuccessful.

Maja Alm completing the qualification race earler today       Photo: Malin Bjorkvist

Leading results (provisional)

Sprint Final, Women

1. Maja alm DEN 14.27.9
2. Judith Wyder SUI 14.53.6
3. Anastasia Denisova BLR 15.10.6
4. Galina Vinogradova RUS 15.41.2
5. Rahel Friederich SUI 15.53.0
6. Elena Roos SUI 15.54.1