The NZ team in the sprint faced a very technical start where the tight alleyways, steps and artificial barriers made it difficult to get any rhythm. The courses then opened up with a long 1km route choice leg across town which Laura was very pleased to pick and execute well. Her exceptional 30th placing also qualified Laura for the Knock Out Quarter Finals on the last day. For Penelope, Tommy and Ed this was a return to the international scene after a few years break, gaining good experience. They enjoyed the tricky courses as well as catching up with friends from past JWOCs.

In the sprint relay on the second day Laura, Tommy, Ed, and Penelope ran hard to gain a 17th nation finish for Team NZ. Like yesterday, the course had both fast open streets before the runners headed back into the tricky old town for the final controls. Laura started strong to hand over to Tommy 1 minute down on the leaders. Tommy and Ed ran solid middle legs, and Penelope was able to run past 6 teams on last leg to finish in 36th team.

The organisers pulled out all the stops for the final day of knockout racing in Locarno. As only the top 36 runners from Friday’s individual sprint progress to the finals, Laura was the sole NZ runner taking on the head-to-head racing. The course had many artificial barriers. The map had ‘changed’ from the previous day so that athletes were now able to run through a medieval castle, museum and local school. A butterfly loop, phi loop and map choice also kept the racers on their toes. Laura had a commendable run in a tough heat finishing 6th in the quarter-final.