The Australian Boomerangs got their World Championship campaign underway in the forest of Vuokatti today with the Long Qualification race.

With warm sunny conditions four Australians entered the tougher than expected forest with the aim of reaching a top 15 position to qualify for the ‘Classic of  Orienteering’ the Long Distance Final on Tuesday.

Hanny Allston made a successful return to international orienteering after claiming World Championship gold in 2006 and World Games gold in 2009 to comfortably qualify in 3rd position in heat 3 for Tuesday’s final.

Hanny was ‘relieved’ with her performance after a very ‘cautious’ run and she will surely take confidence from her performance leading into the rest of the week.

Susanne Casanova made a gutsy performance after being hampered by sickness in her lead up and finished in 17th place narrowly missing the final.

Aislinn Prendergast in her second WOC long distance after qualifying last year, lost too much time on two controls and finished in 20th place in heat 2.

In the men, Australia had sole representative Lachlan Dow who was making his World Championship debut.  Lachlan lost time on the long leg and placed 23rd in heat 1. He will bounce back for his Middle distance race on Thursday.

Action continues tomorrow with the Sprint Qualification and Final.

Check out the inside news from the team on their blog.