The organisers of this years championships staged a trial event recently and below is an extract from their web page reporting the event. To see the photographs showing some aspects of the course visit the event web page www.wmmr2008.com

News

Test race

A running race Dolni Morava – Slamnik which followed the World Masterstracks took place on Sunday of June 15th 2008. This race is enlisted inSaucony Czech Mountain Running Cup 2008, Iscarex Cup 2008 and as wellit was a tryout of the tracks of the World Masters which is going totake place on September 6th 2008.&nbsp,

Almost 150 racers entered the event, onlyone did not finished. The winners on the 11,3 km track was MichalHoracek (Iscarex Ceska Trebova) in time 52 minutes and 32 seconds andMichaela Mertova (Atletika Albrechtice) – 1:00:34, on the 9,9 km trackOldrich Smida (Maratonstav Upice) – 53:27 and Eva Cupalova (SokolBucovice) – 1:14:17. On the Junior Women category 5,5 km track which,of course, won t be included to the World Masters, won Adela Stranska(Iscarex Ceska Trebova) – 40:24.

Except the problem at the turn-off, thistryout went quite smoothly and the runners were altogether satisfiedwith the tracks.

The on-line entries to the World Masters are rapidly increasing, so don t hesitate and enroll as well!

Fotogallery by Iscarex team

Fotogallery by Petra Balcarova

Fotogallery by Jiri Preisler

Sunny Slamnik

Azure-blue Sunday afternoon was perfectly fit for our group of WorldMaster officials to climb the Slamnik mountain. We again took themeasurements of the main course, this time using the lent GPS logger(thanks Michal). On the top we then tested availability and quality ofthe wi-fi internet connection and took pleasure in beautiful views ofthe surrounding nature. You can see the outcome of the measurement here.

First Measuring

Only a week later Dolni Morava was unrecognizeble. Instead of sunnyafternoon the first-measuring-of-the-course party experienced snowstormblizzard an they flounder about in a waist-deep banks. Thats why themetering wasn t accurate and had to be done later again. The action inthe field shared: Danny Hudges (WMRA president), Jan Simunek (chairmanof the steering committee), Ales Stransky (event director) and JitkaKosarova (interpreter). The discussion which ensued joined: DusanKrabec (that time mayor of Kraliky), Jana Bednarova (mayor of DolniMOrava) and Milan Gracias (member of The Mountain Rescue Service inDolni Morava).

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10 nations took part to the 9th Marco Germanetto Memorial races which included the International Youth Challenge.&nbsp,Five different nations shared the medals, Russia won both the boys and girls individual races while the first boys national team was Italy and the first girls national team was England.

In the boys race – 4 laps, 4900 total meters, 260m difference in height – Andrey Rusakov (RUS) came first (17’44”) followed by three Italians: Paolo Ruatti (who came second in a time of 18’12”), Federico Viviani, (third in 18’25”), and Andrea Debiasi, (fourth in 18’31”). The Russian Andrej Zvokov came fifth.In the boys national team results the first nation was Italy (9 points), the second, Russia (39 points) and the third Scotland (40 points) followed by Ireland, Slovenia, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and France.

 ANDREY RUSAKOV (RUS) 1ST                                                      PAOLO RUATTI (ITA) 2ND
In the girls race – 3300 total meters, 180m difference in height –  Russia came first thanks to  Polina Avdeeva (13’59”) followed by the English Annika Jarman (who came second in a time of 14’21”) and Emma Flanagan, , (third in 14’26”). Fourth was the Scottish Deborah Stokoe (14’34”) and fifth the Italian Letizia Titon (14’41”)In the girls national team results the first nation was England (12 points), the second Italy (30 points), the third Wales (41 points) followed by Slovenia, Ireland, Russia, Scotland and Germany.

 POLINA AVDEEVA (RUS) 1ST                                                        ANNIKA JARMAN (ENG) 2ND

The competitions included younger runners making more than than 300 athletes taking part in memory of Marco Germanetto, the seven-times Italian junior champion (not only in mountain running) who died in a car accident in September 1999.

Paolo Germanetto
Atletica Susa.
Full results on the Results page.

10 nations took part to the 9th Memorial Race for Marco Germanetto, also the 3rd WMRA International Youth Challenge. Five different nations stepped on to the podium, Russia won both the boys and girls individual races while the first boys national team was Italy and the first girls national team was England .

In the girls race – 3300 total meters, 180m difference in height –  Russia came first thanks to  Polina Avdeeva (13’59”) followed by the English Annika Jarman (who came second in a time of 14’21”) and Emma Flanagan, , (third in 14’26”). Fourth was the Scottish Deborah Stokoe (14’34”) and fifth the Italian Letizia Titon (14’41”)In the girls national team results the first nation was England (12 points), the second Italy (30 points), the third Wales (41 points) followed by Slovenia, Ireland, Russia, Scotland and Germany. 

POLINA AVDEEVA (RUS) 1ST                                                      ANNIKA JARMAN (ENG) 2ND      In the boys race – 4 laps, 4900 total meters, 260m difference in height – Andrey Rusakov (RUS) came first (17’44”) followed by three Italians: Paolo Ruatti (who came second in a time of 18’12”), Federico Viviani, (third in 18’25”), and Andrea Debiasi, (fourth in 18’31”). The Russian Andrej Zvokov came fifth.

In the boys national team results the first nation was Italy (9 points), the second, Russia (39 points) and the third Scotland (40 points) followed by Ireland, Slovenia, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and France. 

ANDREY RUSAKOV (RUS) 1ST                                                       PAOLO RUATTI (ITA) 2ND   

The competitions also includeddedicated younger runners attracting more than 300 athletes in memory of Marco Germanetto, the seven-times Italian junior champion (not only in mountain running) who died in a car accident in September 1999.

Paolo Germanetto
Atletica Susa

A top class field is entered for the third of seven 2008 WMRA Grand Prix races.

It takes place in Merano, Italy, on Sunday 15th June. Men race over 14km ascending 1700m and women have a shorter 10km course ascending 1400m. Both courses are at the longer end of the Grand Prix races. It takes place in Merano, Italy, on Sunday 15th June. Men race over 14km ascending 1700m and women have a shorter 10km course ascending 1400m. Both courses are at the longer end of the Grand Prix races.

Marco Gaiardo (ITA) will be hoping to inflict a first Grand Prix victory over Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) by repeating his record breaking run last year on this course when Jonathan suffered a rare defeat. The high-class field includes Roman Skalsky (CZ) and Gerd Frick (ITA), who were among the top finishers last year.

Marco Gaiardo

Anna Pichrtova is absent (in the USA) but the womens course record holder, and last year winner, Antonella Confortola (ITA) will still have a difficult time holding off challengers Victoria Wilkinson (GBR), present GP leader, and Renate Rungger (ITA). The latter runs few mountain races but showed her quality last year when winning the Schlickeralm GP race.

This event is a level one race so attracts maximum Grand Prix points.

Danny Hughes

Antonella Confortola

Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) and Martina Straehl (SUI) dominate at Saillon Ovronnaz

Saillon-Ovronnaz (Valais – Switzerland) 24th May.

A problem facing all pre-viewers of races is that the actual line up at the start may be rather different to that indicated a few days before. The second WMRA Grand Prix race was no exception.

The anticipated renewal of competition between Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) and Marco Gaiardo (ITA) did not materialise since Marco did not make it to the start line. Nevertheless Jonathan had to be on good form to beat Julien Rancon (FRA – erstwhile European bronze medallist) by 26 seconds over the 10km/800m climb course.

Jonathan declared himself satisfied with his first serious mountain race of the season and indicated his intention to compete in the full GP series after having a year off in 2007.

The womens line up also defied the pre- viewer’s predictions. Anna Pichrtova (CZE) did not run but Martina Straehl (SUI) unexpectedly turned out and duly recorded her second Grand Prix victory. She showed the same devastating form as in the Grand Ballon race in winning by 2 minutes 43seconds. Victoria Wilkinson, showing consistent form, finished second as she did in Grand Ballon. Anne Buckley (GBR), who trains with Victoria, improved to finish third and young Sarah Tunstall (GBR) come in fourth to make it a very satisfying day for the British girls.

The third Grand Prix race takes place in Italy (Merano) on June 15th over the longer distance for the men of 14km and 10km for the women.

Danny Hughes.

Leading positions:

Men:

1        Jonathan Wyatt (NZL)    45.46

2        Julien Rancon (FRA)        46.11

3        Seb. Epiney (SUI)           46.50

4        Georges Burrier (FRA)     48.00

5        Seb. Zarnik (SLO)           48.49

6        Jean Dupont (FRA)          49.29

Women:

1        Martina Straehl (SUI)     52.52

2        Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) 55.35

3        Anne Buckley (GBR)         57.07

4        Sarah Tunstall (GBR)       58.04

5        Anna Frost (NZL)            58.16

6        Val. Galland (FRA)           58.33

Anita Straehl (SUI) and Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) dominate in Saillon-Ovronnaz race

A problem facing all pre-viewers of races is that the actual line up at the start may be rather different to that indicated a few days before. The second WMRA Grand Prix race was no exception.

The anticipated renewal of competition between Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) and Marco Gaiardo (ITA) did not materialise since Marco did not make it to the start line. Nevertheless Jonathan had to be on good form to beat Julien Rancon (FRA – erstwhile European bronze medallist) by 26 seconds over the 10km/800m climb course.

Jonathan declared himself satisfied with his first serious mountain race of the season and indicated his intention to compete in the full GP series after having a year off in 2007.

The womens line up also defied the pre- viewer&rsquo,s predictions. Anna Pichrtova (CZE) did not run but Martina Straehl (SUI) unexpectedly turned out and duly recorded her second Grand Prix victory. She showed the same devastating form as in the Grand Ballon race in winning by 2 minutes 43seconds. Victoria Wilkinson, showing consistent form, finished second as she did in Grand Ballon. Anne Buckley (GBR), who trains with Victoria, improved to finish third and young Sarah Tunstall (GBR) come in fourth to make it a very satisfying day for the British girls.

The third Grand Prix race takes place in Italy (Merano) on June 15th over the longer distance for the men of 14km and 10km for the women.

Danny Hughes.

Leading positions:

Men:

1        Jonathan Wyatt (NZL)    45.46

2        Julien Rancon (FRA)        46.11

3        Seb. Epiney (SUI)           46.50

4        Georges Burrier (FRA)     48.00

5        Seb. Zarnik (SLO)           48.49

6        Jean Dupont (FRA)          49.29

Women:

1        Martina Straehl (SUI)     52.52

2        Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) 55.35

3        Anne Buckley (GBR)         57.07

4        Sarah Tunstall (GBR)       58.04

5        Anna Frost (NZL)            58.16

6        Val. Galland (FRA)           58.33

Race report

Saillon-Ovronnaz (Valais &ndash, Switzerland)

24th May.

A problem facing all pre-viewers of races is that the actual line up at the start may be rather different to that indicated a few days before. The second WMRA Grand Prix race was no exception.

The anticipated renewal of competition between Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) and Marco Gaiardo (ITA) did not materialise since Marco did not make it to the start line. Nevertheless Jonathan had to be on good form to beat Julien Rancon (FRA – erstwhile European bronze medallist) by 26 seconds over the 10km/800m climb course.

Jonathan declared himself satisfied with his first serious mountain race of the season and indicated his intention to compete in the full GP series after having a year off in 2007.

The womens line up also defied the pre- viewer&rsquo,s predictions. Anna Pichrtova (CZE) did not run but Martina Straehl (SUI) unexpectedly turned out and duly recorded her second Grand Prix victory. She showed the same devastating form as in the Grand Ballon race in winning by 2 minutes 43seconds. Victoria Wilkinson, showing consistent form, finished second as she did in Grand Ballon. Anne Buckley (GBR), who trains with Victoria, improved to finish third and young Sarah Tunstall (GBR) come in fourth to make it a very satisfying day for the British girls.

The third Grand Prix race takes place in Italy (Merano) on June 15th over the longer distance for the men of 14km and 10km for the women.

Danny Hughes.

Leading positions:

Men:

1        Jonathan Wyatt (NZL)    45.46

2        Julien Rancon (FRA)        46.11

3        Seb. Epiney (SUI)           46.50

4        Georges Burrier (FRA)     48.00

5        Seb. Zarnik (SLO)           48.49

6        Jean Dupont (FRA)          49.29

Women:

1        Martina Straehl (SUI)     52.52

2        Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) 55.35

3        Anne Buckley (GBR)         57.07

4        Sarah Tunstall (GBR)       58.04

5        Anna Frost (NZL)            58.16

6        Val. Galland (FRA)           58.33