Victorians Sprint to Success at JWOC

JWOC News – Czech Republic, July 1-7

Middle Distance, Relay

An exciting JWOC week wrapped up with the technical Middle Distance race, followed by the Forest Relay.  Milla was consistent with another midfield finish, while Callum probably didn’t have the run he would have liked, after an error on leg 5, but also some strong legs.  Milla’s first half was also a bit up and down, but she settled well and the second half was very steady.

Milla ran Leg 2 in the Australia 1 team, and Callum went out first in the Australia 2 team.  The girls put together three very consistent runs to finish 12th, a great result, and ahead of some strong European teams.  The Aussie Men’s team 1 had an exciting head to head race on leg 3 with New Zealand, finishing just 1 second behind, and in 13th place overall.  Callum completed his leg in 33rd place.

Milla will compete next at the World Championships in Edinburgh next week, while Callum will be racing for Australia at the World University Champs in Bulgaria in August.  Make sure you follow them!

Long Distance

This was a tough day, with wet weather adding to the challenge of the forest race.  All credit to the host country, Czech Republic, with their clean sweep of the Womens medals, and a bronze in the Mens race; and to New Zealand, with a silver medal to Zefa Fa’avae, and five finishers in the top 50.  Callum and Milla both finished midfield, in 83rd and 86th place respectively.

Individual Sprint

Callum and Milla continued to do us proud in the individual sprint in Stribo, Czech Republic.  Callum had a fantastic race to finish =16th, only 49 seconds behind the winner, and equalling the time of the top placed Swedish runner!  An incredible result for someone who began sprint orienteering on the Usain Bolt course at Sprint Into Spring, back in 2015 (when he won the Yellow Jersey, we should have known there were bigger things ahead!)  Milla also had a great run to finish 23rd, just 57 seconds behind.  Both Callum and Milla were second best placed non-Europeans.  Congratulations to both!!

Sprint Relay

Callum White and Milla Key were part of Australia’s no 1 team for the JWOC Sprint Relay, where 77 teams of 4 runners each contested the race.  Milla was first leg runner, and finished right in the mix, in 9th place.  She handed over to Callum, who kept the team well in touch, finishing 11th, but still only 40 seconds behind the leader.  The team finished in 12th place, making Australia the 8th country to cross the line, and the highest placed non-European team – an absolutely fantastic result, mirroring JWOC 2023.

Milla had an excellent preparation for the Sprint races by finishing second in W18 at the European Youth Orienteering Championships last week.

Other races on the busy JWOC schedule include the Individual Sprint, then the three forest races – Long and Middle Distance, and Relay to wrap up the week.  Follow the results here: https://jwoc2024.cz/en/home/

Check all the Aussie JWOC team news at https://www.facebook.com/OrienteeringAustralia/

Congratulations to all our Victorians who have been selected to represent Australia in world events in 2024!  Making their mark on the international stage are:

Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) – Pilsen, Czech Republic, July 1-6 – https://jwoc2024.cz/en/home/

  • Callum White, Milla Key, Sophie Taverna (Reserve)

World Orienteering Championships (WOC) – Edinburgh, July 11-16 – https://www.woc2024.org/

  • Aston Key (withdrawn), Milla Key

World University Orienteering Championships (WUOC) – Bankso, Bulgaria, August 1-5 – https://wuoc2024.eu/

  • Callum White

World MTBO Championships (WMTBOC) – Shumen, Bulgaria, September 9-15 – https://wmtboc2024.eu/

  • Maya Bennette, Lucas Kent

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