Late Report: JK 2008
21-24th March 2008
The JK took place in Guildford this year and had a high class field in it's midst on the M21 and W21 Elite courses.
To start with, Daniel Hubmann and Holger Hott decided to come over with their klubb Kristiansand OK. Having the world #2 and another few in the top 20 really makes the competiton a lot better in my opinion. Olav Lundanes, 2005 JWOC champion also came across the water to experience the British terrain.
Middle Distance - Leith Hill
The Middle distance race was held at Leith Hill, a runnable hillside in the heart of the South Downs. The Elite races started in the worst weather so far this year with snow, hail and rain all combined, battling against the wind.
In the women's Elite class; Sarah Rollins came in as the champion ahead of the rest of the field with Elise Egseth by 1 second and Helen Bridle by 2 seconds. Scarily close times for the women - which was finally decided on the run in.
Scott Fraser took victory on the Men's Elitem, 15 seconds clear of World no2. Daniel Hubmann! Scott managed to steer clear of the mistakes that Daniel and GG (Graham Gristwood) made towards the end of the course.
I had an unfortunate run and managed to mispunch one of the easiest controls on the course. Battling against teh wind and hail I glanced at my control descriptions and saw 109 rather than 103. A mistake that would leave me being disqualified and shouting in disbelief at the poor downloaders at the finish. Never mind - tomorrow would be very long and very hard to keep going.
Classic Distance - Ashdown Forest
The Classic Race was held at Ashdown Forest, a gem of runnable woodland spreading over the valleys and moors of the south.
The snow started early again, myself and those others who had mispunched in the Middle Distance had the worst of it, with sunshine breaking through the clouds mid-morning.
Sarah Rollins didn't run but Elise Esgeth did and was victorious having a fantastic run to take the title from Rachael Elder and Pippa Whitehouse.
Oli Johnson had a magnificent run early in the field due to a few misses in the Middle Race and got a time of 88:37 for the 16.7km course. This was not to be the winning time as Daniel Hubmann started in second-last place and blew the time away by 4 minutes in 84:17.
Hubmann managed to catch Gristwood but he pulled away again into the finish, his time still not quick enough to beat the speedy Swiss runner. Scott Fraser, ran on his own - like myself for the whole course (I didn't see anyone for the first 8.9km!), finished in 7th in a time of 90:56 having slowed in the final section.
Hubmann won the JK crown for 2008 ahead of Gristwood, with French National Runner Baptiste Rollier in 3rd place. Olav Lundanes (former JWOC 2005 and 2006 Champion) and Scott Fraser were behind in 4th and 5th.
Relay - Erridge Park
Kristiansand managed to win the men's Relay with their team of elite world class orienteers and Wing-O took the women's JK relay titles at Erridge Park on the Monday.
Kristiansand won the JK Trophy ahead of Edinburgh University (EUOC). Wing OK finished a minute ahead of South Yorkshire (SYO), with Sheffield University (ShUOC) in a close third - finishing in the snow once again.
Kristiansand recently took the 10-Mila title this weekend and look to be the dominant force in orienteering this year ahead of teams such as Kalevan Rasti, Södertälje-Nykvarn and Halden Skiklubb.
More results from the JK2008 is to be found here.