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2022 WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
JULIA GANNON (QLD) (originally written for e-news)
Irecently competed in the World University Orienteering Championships in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. This was an amazing experience, not only competing with very high level orienteers but also experiencing the atmosphere of an international level event. Biel/Bienne is located on the boundary of German and French speaking Switzerland (hence the dual names), about half an hour by train from the capital of Bern. The town sits at the end of a lake of the same name, surrounded by wooded hills that make for excellent orienteering. The athlete accommodation was provided by the Swiss Institute of Sport and was located on the side of the mountain above Biel, accessible by funicular, which provided great views of the region! The schedule was packed – I ran in the individual Sprint, Middle Distance, Long Distance and forest Relay events. My favourite event was the Middle Distance, which took place on Corcelles, a hilly map rich in contour and rock details. The terrain was very varied even on individual legs, often starting in rocky detail, coming through clearings alongside deciduous forest before heading back into the rock to find the next control. The atmosphere of all the races was amazing, particularly the Middle Distance when we cheered for Aston as he ran into 4th place, only 3 seconds off 3rd place. After completing your race at the Middle Distance you could then walk across the arena to a dairy farm to get lunch provided by the Swiss Institute, which was set up next to a pen of calves which appreciated all of the many athletes’ pats. I’m not sure if the calves or the athletes enjoyed it more!
2022 World Univ Championships - Julia Gannon .
Men’s Forest Relay start (Ewan Shingler & Angus Haines).
WUOC is for athletes between 18 and 25 who are currently studying at a university or similiar institute or have obtained their degree in the year preceding the event. 28 nations entered the Championships with Australia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland participating with the maximum 12 athletes. Our Australian representatives ran really well on some fast terrain in the Sprint to achieve some amazing results!! Special congratulations to Aston Key for his 5th place (just 3sec off 3rd) and Angus Haines for 29th. It was a huge day at the Middle Distance event, with two top-30 results!! Aston excelled again in the Middle Distance achieving 4th place, (only 1 minute behind the winner and only 3 seconds (again) behind a medal), while Alistair George ran amazingly well to come 29th. Emily Sorensen was the best Aussie girl in 44th (8:32 down on the winner). It was all smiles at the Long Distance event too as the Aussies smashed it with two top-30 results! Well done to Angus Haines in 27th and Alastair George in 30th. In the Relay, the men’s team of Angus Haines, Alistair George and Aston Key placed a very creditable 10th.
Aston Key 5th in the Sprint.
