The final MTBO World Ranking Events were held in the Czech Republic over the weekend 27-28 August, and there were some very encouraging results from the national team members in both the middle and long distance races.

2004 Orienteering Australia Athlete of the Year, Adrian Jackson, won both races, finishing ahead of some of the best riders from the Czech Republic, Russia and Slovakia, many of whom rode to podium finishes in last year’s World MTBO Championships in Ballarat. Alex Randall also finished in the top 6 in both races, confirming his comeback to top form after a troubled lead up to last year’s World Championships.

With high place finishes in the Czech Republic and Polish World Ranking Events, and the possibility of further high finishes in the forthcoming World Championships, Adrian has a good chance to be in the top few ranked male riders in the world for 2005.

The Australian women raced consistently well, with all team members finishing well inside the top half of the field in both races.

Notably missing from the men’s and women’s fields were the Finnish and French team riders, so there will be some increased competition for the Aussies when the World Championships begin in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, on September 5th.

Results summary:

Women – Middle distance: Anna Sheldon 5th, Mary Fien 7th, Carolyn Jackson 13th, Long: Mary 6th, Anna 10th, Carolyn 11th.

Men – Middle: Adrian Jackson 1st, Alex Randall 6th, Anthony Darr 41st, Long: Adrian 1st, Alex 5th, Anthony 25th