JWOC 2011 Poland

06 July 2011

One of the many major events in Europe, the junior world orienteering champs (JWOC), is being held this week. This year the event is being hosted by Poland and centered around Rumia and Wejherowo. the NZ team of 12 (6 M20 and 6 W20) is tipped to be the strongest team NZ has ever sent to JWOC (including PAPO’s Selena Metherell) and they have not disappointed with some of the best results NZ have achieved in international competition.

The Big highlight of the Sprint (Sunday night NZ time) was Angela Simpson securing 6^th place in the women’s race an outstanding performance and NZ’s second best placing in a JWOC race. Selena finished a very creditable 95^th in the 130 strong fields between her team mates Jaime Goodwin and Anna Gray.

Angela Simpson 6^th
Laura Robertson 43^rd
Jaime Goodwin 92^nd
Selena Metherell 95^th
Anna Gray 97^th
Kate Morrison 109^th

Matt Ogden 21^st
Toby Scott 30^th
Gene Beveridge 43^rd
Scott McDonald 58^th
Nick Hann 75^th
Tim Robertson 78^th

The Long Distance race was held the next day in the very fast, open beech forests near Wejherowo. The NZ team who traditionally find it much harder to compete against the Europeans in the forest than they do in a sprint again excelled themselves with excellent results in both the mens and womens races. Angela Simpson and Toby Scott were again at the front end of the kiwi performers both finishing 22^nd in the very physically challenging long distance. Selena was again the 4^th fastest kiwi girl finishing just inside the top 100 in just over 85 minutes.

Angela Simpson 22^nd
Kate Morrison 35^th
Laura Robertson 91^st
Selena Metherell 98^th
Anna Gray 102^nd
Jaime Goodwin 106^th

Toby Scott 22^nd
Matt Ogden 30^th
Nick Hann 90^th
Tim Robertson 93^rd
Gene Beveridge 95^th
Scott McDonald DNS (injured during sprint)

With the middle distance and relay still to come there is sure to be some more great racing from the NZ team. You can follow the team with all the other NZ supporters from the JWOC 2011 website which provides a live chat with updates and also live results (sometimes!).