The sun was shining at the Technical University campus in Košice, as the World Masters Orienteering Championships 2023 got underway in Slovakia Saturday morning with the sprint qualification.
More than 2500 athletes raced today’s qualification in age classes from W/M 35 up to W85 and M90 – all fighting to get into the top half of the results list, that gives access to Sunday’s A-finals.
Today’s sprint qualification went in the campus area, which offered a fast, flat terrain with many short route choices to be made around the university buildings.
And even if you are not 88 anymore, sprint races can easily have narrow victories. Just ask Martin Hutzli and Peo Bengtsson, who only had a second between them in the top of M90 today.
Find results, split times and GPS-tracking from today’s race atWMOC 2023 homepage.
Sunday’s sprint finals take place in the centre of the old town of Košice. Another fast day in the flat terrain with many narrow streets, squares and passages to navigate in.
First start is at 10.00 (UTC +2) and the first medals of WMOC 2023 will be handed out early in the afternoon.
Follow the race at theWMOC 2023 homepage
Photo: Michal Krajčík / WMOC 2023