A tough long distance opened the second round of the IOF World Cup at Idrefjäll, Sweden overnight. Passing through challenging hilly terrain at an altitude of 630-880m above sea level. Only one man was under 100 minutes and two women under 90. New Zealand’s two representatives were well down in the field, with Toby Scott finishing 61^st in 2:08:52 and Tim Robertson 83^rd another 15 minutes back.

The men’s race was won by new world long distance champion Kasper Harlem Fosser of Norway by just under two minutes from fellow countryman, and WOC bronze medallist, Magne Daehli. Daniel Hubmann, 4^th in the WOC long distance was 3^rd.

1. Kasper Harlem Fosser (NOR) 1:39:53, 2. Magne Daehli (NOR) 1:41:32, 3. Daniel Hubmann (SUI) 1:43:13, 4. Gustav Bergman (SWE) 1:44:04, 5. Timo Sild (EST) 1:45:43, 6. Matthias Kyburz (SUI) 1:47:02, 61. Toby Scott (NZL) 2:08:52, 83. Tim Robertson (NZL) 2:23:09.

Having won all three individual titles at WOC and both the races in the first round of the World Cup, Tove Alexandersson suffered her first defeat of the international season finishing 3^rd behind Simona Aebersold of Switzerland and Andrine Benjaminsen of Norway. Tim’s girlfriend, Emma Bjessmo, was an impressive 5^th.

1. Simona Aebersold (SUI) 1:28:31, 2. Andrine Benjaminsen (NOR) 1:29:11, 3. Tove Alexandersson (SWE) 1:30:29, 4. Hanna Lundeberg (SWE) 1:32:23, 5. Emma Bjessmo (SWE) 1:37:23, 6. Sabine Hauswirth (SUI) 1:39:08.