Hanny Allston ran an excellent race today at Noskunu Miskas winning the gold medal in the prestigious classic event at the Junior World Orienteering Championships. Hanny dominated the first loop to come through the spectator control on 36 minutes – 5 minutes ahead of her closest rival and finished strongly to complete the course a massive 4 minutes and 38 seconds ahead of second placegetter, Betty Ann Bjerkreim Nilsen(NOR). Third place was Elin Skantze(SWE).
Hanny shocked the commentators who were not expecting her to finish so soon and were announcing how much longer before she was expected at the finish while she was already climbing the last hill of the course to the finish line. Hanny played safe opting for track options when possible and avoiding the green and marshy areas which cost others time. This strategy paid off for her, giving her the lead and the gold medal.

Hanny’s gold medal is the first ever for Australia at any World Championships in foot orienteering and Hanny now has a full set, bronze in the middle distance in Switzerland in 2005, silver in the sprint race yesterday and gold in the long distance today. Hanny was very happy with her result and is looking good for the middle distance race following the rest day tomorrow, and for the World Orienteering Championships coming up in Denmark.

The setting today was good for spectators although not enough shade for the sun-shy Aussies. The weather is beautiful with a pleasant cooling breeze. A sweeping corridor of tape ran past the finish chute in the opposite direction next to the forest boundary to lead the runners out into their second loop. This gave them a view of the uphill finish chute, a little daunting for those not prepared for a tough hilly finish.
The other highlight today for the Australian team was Simon Uppill’s 36th placing in the men’s race, it sets him up very well for his favoured middle distance following the rest day. In all, team members are very satisfied with their performances over the opening two days of competition and are looking forward to a well-earned rest tomorrow before the final three days of competition. The team is very excited about Hanny’s excellent performances and Matt’s good showing in the sprint and are being very supportive making the traditional laurel and flower victory wreaths for both Hanny and Matt.

Results
Women
1 Hanny Allston (Australia) 53:57
2 Betty Ann Bjerkreim Nilsen (Norway) 58:35
3 Elin Skantze (Sweden) 1:00:13
62 Vanessa Round (Australia) 1:23:16
71 Kellie Whitfield (Australia) 1:26:02
92 Sophie Barker (Australia) 1:35:35
105 Ainsley Cavanagh (Australia) 1:51:15
dns Jasmine Neve (Australia)

Men
1 Anders Skarholt (Norway) 1:10:41
2 Olav Lundanes (Norway) 1:13:21
3 Markus Puusepp (Estonia) 1:16:57
36 Simon Uppill (Australia) 1:27:04
91 Ryan Smyth (Australia) 1:44:18
92 Murray Scown (Australia) 1:44:53
95 Christopher Naunton (Australia) 1:45:53
119 Matthew Parton (Australia) 1:58:45
131 Evan Barr (Australia) 2:09:55

Full results