Loaded field at Skaala - GP5
The Skaala backdrop is breathtaking
One of the strongest men’s line-ups of the Grand Prix season to date gather in Norway this weekend for round 5 of the WMRA GP series. The Skaala race is now in its eighth year and is used to elite mountain runners gracing it with their presence…
This one is notoriously tough, as the course profile shows, and the race website has masses of info and resource – particularly impressive is the photos section of the site.
Last year Jonathan Wyatt was victorious, and he returns this year looking to secure valuable points in the WMRA series which he won in 2008, and leads once again in 2009. One sad note is the current course record holder for men is no longer with us. Norwegian Jon Tvedt died in tragic circumstances in February and holds the course record from 2007.
Jono Wyatt
With Robert Krupicka apparently missing the men’s race could be instrumental in deciding the championship for 2009, as a win for Wyatt would put him on 3 wins for the season. However, we are sure that the African contingent and new US champion Jo Gray will have something to say in the outcome of the race.
Just look at this men’s line-up:
Jonathan Wyatt (New Zealand)(World Champion)
Joseph Gray (USA)
Martina Tazzioli (Italy)
Björn Geerdink (Holland)
Maykel Geerdink (Holland)
David Schneider (Switzerland)
Eilud Kiptanui (Kenya)
Richard Bartale (Kenya)
Henry Kiplagat (Kenya)
Rickey Gates (USA)
Sammy Kirui (Kenya)
Jon Duncan (GB)
And the ladies:
Antonella Confortola (Italy)
Iva Milesova (Czech)
Martina Tazzioli (Italy)
Kristen Skjeldal
Current women’s leader of the Series Iva Milesova should take advantage of the two big women’s favourites (Mayr and Pichrtova) being absent by winning here, and that would place immense pressure on Mayr especially to compete successfully in the final two races of this year’s grand prix, ensuring 4 counting races completed.
Iva Milesova
