El sábado se disputó el mundial de atletismo de montaña

Anna Pichrtova finaliza segunda en Smarna Gora, en Ljubljana, Slovenia - WMRA

Transcribimos crónica (en inglés) publicada por la IAAF:

"Rare defeat for Pichrtova - WMRA Grand Prix
Saturday 6 October 2007

There was a surprise defeat for the Women’s World Mountain Running Champion in the final WMRA Grand Prix race of 2007 on the Smarna Gora, in Ljubljana, Slovenia on Saturday (6).

The weather conditions were truly dreadful. After two weeks of warm autumn weather, the race was run in torrential, cold, rain making underfoot conditions treacherous on the forest tracks.


Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) takes a surprising win on Smarna Gora, in Ljubljana, Slovenia - WMRA

Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) going into the race leading the Grand Prix rankings did all she could to hold on to the premier position by inflicting a rare defeat on champion Anna Pichrtova (CZE) in a time of 48:54.

Wilkinson won a World title herself in 1997 when she became junior champion in the Czech Republic but since then she has had some injuries, and even tried the sport of cycling, but now appears poised to make a serious mark in the senior mountain running scene.

Pichrtova finished in second position 47 seconds behind the Briton, and with the Best 3 results (out of 4 races) counting towards the final rankings finished top of the Overall 2007 Grand Prix (308 points) as expected and collects the $1500 prize. Wilkinson with 270 points took overall second, and by finishing fourth today, Iva Milesova (CZE) secured third (266 points).


MEN

Marco Gaiardo of Italy was under no pressure in the men’s race having already secured the overall Grand Prix with 300 points this season. He trotted home today in a careful fifth.


Andrzej Dlugosz of Poland wins on Smarna Gora - WMRA (c)

Nevertheless, the Italian would have been hard pressed to beat today’s winner Andrzej Dlugosz (POL) who was second in this race last year. The conditions seemed to suit Pole as he nimbly negotiated some tricky descents on parts of the course. Dlugosz’s performance was good enough to give him second position in the final ranking (246 points). Joe Symonds (GBR) had a rather disappointing run and could only finish 8th so finished third overall (227 points).

Robert Krupicka (CZE) making an impressive comeback from injury finished the race second in front of local boy Mitja Kosovelj (SLO).

Danny Hughes for the IAAF


RESULTS

Men
1. A. Dlugosz (POL) 41:25
2. R.Krupicka (CZE) 42:00
3. M. Kosovelj (SLO) 42:04
4. J.Rancon (FRA) 42:12
5. M Gaiardo (ITA) 42:22

Women
1. V.Wilkinson (GBR) 48:54
2. A.Pichrtova (CZE) 49:41
3. M. Kosovelj (SLO) 50:24
4. I Milesova (CZE) 51:56
5. S.Tunstall (GBR) 52:06

Click here for FULL RESULTS


2007 WMRA Grand Prix – FINAL RANKING

Men:
1. M.Gaiardo (ITA) 300
2. A.Dlugos (POL) 246
3. J.Symonds (GBR) 227
4. G Abate (ITA) 223
5. J Havicek (CZE) 207

Women:
1. A Pichrtova (CZE) 308
2. I Milesova (CZE) 266
3. V Wilkinson (GBR) 260
4. M.Roberti (ITA) 237
5. P.Havlova (CZE) 216"