Tough long distance near Malyovitsa

The second day of Junior World Champs in Bulgaria is over after very technical and physically tough, because of the pouring rain, Long distance near Malyovitsa. The competitors had to run 10,2km and 7,2km respectfully for Men and Women classes in mixed types of terrain including areas with lots of marshes, green areas, stones and rocks, small streams and rivers and steep slopes.

In the Women class the fight was very interesting and only 3 seconds split the gold and the silver medalists. Gunvor Hov Høydal (NOW) is the new Junior World Champion in the Long distance beating the winner from the sprint Sara Hagstrom (SWE). Third place was for Emmi Jokela (FIN) finishing 1 minute behind the winner. Anna Haataja (FIN) finished 4th, followed by Mathilde Rundhaug (NOR). Paula Gross (SWI) is the last girl on the podium, taking the 6th place just before her teammates from Switzerland.

Sweden was on top in the Men class taking the gold and the silver medals. The sprint bronze medalist Anton Johansson (SWE) won the distance with time 1:15:17. His teammate Assar Hellstrom (SWE) finished 2nd with 1:01 min difference. Marek Minar (CZE) had a decent race taking the bronze medal 3:28 min behind. Ivan Kuchmenko (RUS) took the 4th position 3 seconds ahead of Olli Ojanaho (FIN). Miika Kirmula (FIN) is the last one on the podium.

Tomorrow is the rest day when all the competitors and officials can visit some sight seeing and prepare for the upcoming.