The World Orienteering Championships in Finland kicked off on Tuesday morning with the qualification for Wednesday’s middle distance.
Here, the athletes were divided into three heats per gender with the goal of finishing in the top 15 to qualify for the final.
And from the start, they were thrown into demanding Finnish terrain in the race, which was held right across from the WOC event center in Tahko.
An challenging area with many details and many short legs made up the first part of the courses, which today was 3.3 kilometers for women and 3.9 kilometers for men before ending down a ski slope at the finish area.
The women’s heat winners in today’s qualification were Natalia Gemperle (SUI), Simona Aebersold (SUI) and home favorite Venla Harju.
On the men’s side, the Swiss were also strong. Here, the reigning middle distance world champion Matthias Kyburz was fastest in heat 1, while Fabian Aebersold (SUI) and Kasper Fosser (NOR) won the other heats.
Find results, GPS-tracking and the livestream from today’s qualification in IOF LIVE.
Timo Sild (EST) was third in heat 1 today. By Kristina Lindgren
Wednesday’s Middle distance final takes place in Neulamäki close to the host city Kuopio.
The first start is at 13:40 EEST (UTC +3) and the TV broadcast begins at 14:30 and runs until 18:20.
Find all you need to follow the Middle final in IOF LIVE
Reigning middle distance World Champions from Switzerland two years ago are Tove Alexandersson (SWE) and Matthias Kyburz (SUI).
Watch the WOC 2023 Middle distance in YouTube here