Photo: JWOC 2016 / steineggerpix.com
The best juniors in the world will compete for the Junior World Orienteering Champion titles from 9th to 15th July in Switzerland.
– JWOC 2016 will take place in one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. The lower Engadin is a pretty unknown orienteering place and will thus bring some nice suprises for all the runners. Our JWOC will offer different kinds of terrain and the runners will be challenged by good courses and demanding terrain, says Event Director Simone Niggli.
Organizing team of the JWOC includes famous orienteer like Simone Niggli, Matthias Merz, Fabian Hertner, Sara Lüscher and Baptiste Rollier.
– For an event like this it’s important to have a lot of experience and knowledge in the leading positions. Regarding course setters it was a goal from us to have some young but also some experienced persons. We think we have a great mixture and are sure that they made very interesting and challenging courses for the juniors. Of course it would be great if top-runners would share their experiences by setting courses on big events. Of course it’s a big effort but I definitively think it’s worth it.
All competitions are from 1150 to 2300 meters above sea level.
– Of course it’s a challenge to run on that level, especially during long distance. But it’s the same for everyone and the runners don’t have to be disturb about this. They have to stay focused on their orienteering even though the air will be thin and the surroundings are magnificent.
Long distance course setter Fabian Hertner continues.
– Of course for many runners the altitude will be challenge as the race is around 2000 meters above sea level. So a physical demanding race can be expected, but in return the runners will get a beautiful, technically demanding and enjoyable terrain.
Fabian Hertner won the middle distance in JWOC 2005 in Switzerland.
– It was for me a very nice moment which I still remember very well. As well as a very important milestone in my career, it gave me a lot of motivation to continue my training and reach the international top in the elite class.
Who will be our future stars? Follow JWOC 2016 to find out: jwoc2016.ch.