Andis Laveikis conquers Belgian o-world

While the best runners are representing Belgium at WOC this weekend, a regional event took place in Zoersel (Vriesel - Gemeentepark). The first part of the race took place in a forest with bad runability, alternated with some rocks and caves in an old-fort-area. After a leg (measured 1.25km) just running, the runners continued their race in a park (map part 2).

Trol team at jukola: the organising club

Laveikis and Steegen take the victory:

Since 3 days a Latvian junior runner (represented his country at JWOC 2009), Andis Laveikis, arrived in Belgium. He started studying in Antwerp and he will stay here for 6 months. Ofcourse he plans to run as many competition as possible for the Belgian o-club Trol.

Today he participated at a Belgian o-competition for the first time in his life. He felt very comfortable in this kind of forest and took the lead from start till finish in mens class. Only Jan Oeyen was able to run at the same level and became 2nd. Wannes Hendrickx won the bronze medal ahead of Anssi Muikki and Arnis Snore.

Remarkable: the 1.25km running leg was dominated by real athletics-runners. It was won by Koen Wilsens (4'24) ahead of Wouter Vermonden (4'32). Jan Oeyen, Wim Van Dyck and Frans Laenen completed the top-5.

Belgian champion long distance, Thomas van der Kleij, was still struggling with a knee injury. So he took it easy (only in the the technical fort-area he won 3 out of 4 legs) and promised to be back in good shape as soon as possible.

In womens class Kim Steegen won class 1 ahead of Nancy Wenderickx (2nd) and Igna Heyns (3rd). In class 2 Els Put was outstanding. She did beat Katri Haataja (2nd) and Whoopy Franssen (3rd).

Map part 1: Vriesel-noord

Facts:
In total 170 participants were present in Zoersel, originative from 10 different nations. It's a pitty that other runners were absent because of an other orienteering event in Leuven (specially organised for recording a video about orienteering which will be broadcasted on the national tv). Hopefully it was succesful and the best way to promote orienteering in Belgium.

Results
Splittimes
Map: Part 1 - Part2