Norway’s Eirik Langedal Breivik caught the entire orienteering world by surprise by winning and Simona Aebersold (SUI) defended her Middle distance title as the first final at European Orienteering Championships took place on Saturday afternoon.
Technically demandng courses on the big, stony slopes in the central Hungarian terrain created major challenges and many decisive losses of time.
On top of that, temperatures above 30 degrees made it an even bigger challenge.
The women were first in the course and had 4,5 kilometers with 340 meters to climb in front of them, and as expected, the last starters came to decide medal positions between them.
The very last starter, Simona Aebersold (SUI) had already created a gap of more than a minute to the competitors after 10 minutes of running.
And she never slowed down, avoided notable time losses and finished more than two minutes ahead of compatriot Natalia Gemperle, who claimed the silver.
Simona Aebersold won by more than two minutes. Photo by William Hollowell
Gemperle made a few mistakes but managed to limit the seconds lost. Andrine Benjaminsen (NOR) had faster times than Gemperle halfway through the course, but lost time on control 13 and 18 just before the finish and had to settle for bronze, 0:59 minutes behind Gemperle.
Big smiles from the medalists. Photo by William Hollowell
Tove Alexandersson (SWE) had a difficult start on the course and lost around three minutes to control three. She finished fourth ahead of two great Swiss performances by Paula Gross and young Ines Berger respectively.
By winning, Aebersold managed to defend her first EOC Middle title from Estonia two years ago.
Norwegian shock win
The high volume of mistakes continued as the men raced their final later in the afternoon.
Kasper Fosser (NOR) had an early start and came into the finish with a clear lead, despite losing time on control 20 just before the finish.
Today’s big surprise, Eirik Langedal Breivik, steered clear of big time losses and went straight to control 20, thereby securing him the gold medal and by far the greatest result of his career.
Eirik Langedal Breivik on his way to the finish. Photo by William Hollowell
Fosser’s time was 24 seconds slower than his compatriot and behind them, defending champion Albin Ridefelt (SWE) took bronze after losing time on control 20 as well. He was 1:05 behind the Norwegian winner.
Kasper Fosser, Eirik Langedal Breivik and Albin Ridefelt – today’s medalists. Photo by William Hollowell
Tomas Krivda (CZE), Loïc Capbern (FRA) and Emil Svensk (SWE) took the subsequent positions on the podium.
Find results, tracking and photos from today on IOF LIVE
There is not much time to rest for the athletes, as the championships continue tomorrow with the long distance.
The first start for the women is at 9.50 CEST (UTC+2) and the first men enter the forest from 10.35.
IOF TV broadcast starts at 14.00 and continues for four hours with English and German commentary.