Australia has had a successful morning in Denmark with four runners managing to achieve a top 15 spot in the qualifiers. Located in Mindeparken in central Aarhus, the area proved to be very tricky and provided some tough orienteering, especially at high running speeds.

While Hanny stormed into the final Troy’s entry was very controversial. Initially disqualified for punching the incorrect control, he was re-instated after a protest from the Australian Team. It was judged that the control which he punched was 22m from the correct control. IOF rules state that no two controls can be within 30m. As such his protest was upheld and he was re-instated in 8th in Heat A.

Dave Shepherd scraped through in 15th place with a run that he described as less then perfect. The race entered an Amusement park and this is where he lost time with many short legs in succession requiring quick decision making. Kerrin Rattray ‘tried his hardest but wasn’t good enough on the day’ taking 19th place in Heat C, although he hasn’t made a final in Denmark it has been a very rewarding learning experience for one of the future faces of Australian Orienteering.

Hanny Allston stood up yet again and led the Aussie charge, finishing a clear 2nd in her heat, only behind Orienteering’s own Super-woman Simone Niggli-Luder. Jo Allison had some trouble amongst the detailed map and lost too much time, taking 20th in Heat A. Grace Elson made her second final on debut with a very solid run finishing 11th.

The Final is now late tonight starting at 12.50am AEST, some dedicated members of the Orienteering community will be depriving themself of sleep to watch, possibly, Australia’s first ever World Champs medal with both Hanny and Troy in real contention.

The action will be broadcast over the internet will live video streaming, audio and text results being provided on the WOC Website.*
*Website no longer available