JWOC 2007 Middle quals

Another crisp but beautiful clear sunny day dawned for the JWOC middle distance event. It was generally hoped that this distance would suit the NZers better than the long event. Starters were sent off in groups of three, each running a different course. Competitors were unable to tell which course the previous starters in their lane would be on. It was a long tense wait for the supporters until the first kiwis appeared in the extra-long finishing chute.

Early indications were good and the commentators were predicting an “antipodean avalanche” – so it was disheartening to see our first finishers dropping below the qualifying 20th position on the results board as stronger competitors crossed the finishing line. In the men only Thomas Reynolds managed to hold onto a qualifying position squeaking in at 19th. The women fared very much better in their slightly smaller field with Tineke Berthlesen qualifying 2nd in her heat, Lizzie Ingham in 3rd and Kate Morrison in 16th - a satisfying result at her first JWOC. Well done to our four “A final” qualifiers and best of luck for the final tomorrow.
.