Dashing through the snow: Jonathan Wyatt winning the Schneeberglauf (© organisers)
As predicted, the outcome of the sixth of seven WMRA Grand Prix races resulted in comfortable victories for recently crowned World Champions Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand and Austrian Andrea Mayr at the Schneeberglauf on Saturday (27). Slovenians, brother and sister, Mitja and Mateja Kosovelj were second in both races.
Wyatt did just enough to win by just over a minute, saving his effort until the last 2km on the steep rocky mountain path, undeterred by some fresh mountain top snow, which had fallen overnight. The more difficult the terrain the more superior is Jonathan Wyatt.
Mayr’s margin of victory of more than six minutes should encourage her to let mountain running take precedence over her track ambitions in the future. Her job commitments - she is a medical doctor - prohibit the full time commitment needed to make a significant mark on the track nowadays.
The young Kosoveljs, only recently having moved up into the senior ranks, have the potential to be future champions which would indeed be a remarkable achievement. The road to this goal would be hard, steep and rocky!
Wyatt only needs to compete in the final Grand Prix event (Smarna Gora, Slovenia on 4 October) to guarantee him overall victory. His compatriot Anna Frost, still leading the women’s rankings, is a favourite to join him making it a New Zealand double.
Danny Hughes for the IAAF
Leading results:
Men -
1. Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) 53.09
2. Mitja Kosovelj (SLO) 54.17
3. G. Burrier (FRA) 55.45
4. M. Kroll (AUT) 56.28
5. P. Lamovec (SLO) 57.33
Women:
1. Andrea Mayr (AUT) 58.21
2. Mateja Kosovelj (SLO) 64.37
3. L. Krkoc (SLO) 68.58
4. C. Lilge-Leutner AUT 69.48
5. M. Sustarsic (SLO) 71.32