Switzerland wins first-ever Sprint Relay at World Orienteering Championships

Switzerland wins first-ever Sprint Relay at World Orienteering Championships

Sprint relay with two men and two women has been in The World Games programme since 2001, but was now introduced for the first time at the World Orienteering Championships.

The relay was exciting from start to finish, and the atmosphere in the arena tremendous. Trento city centre was a great setting for the relay; not even the thunderstorm and rain could ruin the atmosphere. Reigning World Games champions, Switzerland, were at the end strongest even today, and Sprint world champion Judith Wyder could lead her team to victory on the last leg.

During the relay Denmark was leading the race several times, but the rest of the teams were never far away. In the first change-over, Denmark’s Emma Klingenberg was leading ahead of Russia, Switzerland, and Ukraine. On the second leg Belgium’s Yannick Michiels had a superb race and he came to the change-over as the first runner, followed by Denmark’s Tue Lassen and Russia’s Gleb Tikhonov.

On the third leg, Matthias Kyburz brought the Swiss team back into contention. He ran constantly faster than the rest, and came as the first runner to the arena. He was followed by Russia, Sweden, and Denmark.

Judith Wyder on the last leg gave no chance for anybody else, and brought home a convincing victory in the historic Sprint relay. Denmark finished second and Russia third.

For results, please visit the organiser’s website: http://www.woc2014.info/woc.php