Five Days Puglia 2009

Orienteering - 5 days in stages of Puglia - Great final to Ischitella and Peschici


Winners M21/W21: Rune Nygaard (Norway) and talented Sandrine Müller (Switzerland).

Orienteering in Gargano is an international reality. Confirmed by participants at the end of the second edition of the 5 days of Puglia. More than 300 international athletes representing 21 nations have run with map and compass in the center of Vico del Gargano (opening night sprint), in Umbra forest, the pine grove of Foce Varano and in the center of Peschici.

A busy week of not only sports, but also - thanks to the cooperation with local associations - sightseeings, food and wine tasting, with guided tours in Monte Sant'Angelo, Vieste and Tremiti, tasting of typical products and street festivals with band (in Vico del Gargano and Ischitella). We also had a conference to understand the value of the project Orienteering: Sports Tourism Environment Health School; and inform about it's institutions and the different actors involved in the program development orienteering in connection with application of Puglia WMOC 2012.

“Follow the sun” was right!! At the end of each race many athletes went to the sea for a bath! A lot of congratulations from participants for the orienteering festival in Ischitella with performances of the municipal band and the parade - with international delegations - in the streets of the old town. Live concert by Nicola Manfredi, famous for - the anthem of orienteering "You and Me", make the evening in Ischitella unforgettable!! The grand finale of 5 days was in Peschici!

The final victory of the 5 days of Puglia went to the Norwegian Rune Nygaard who preceded only by 18 seconds (after 5 stages!) the Swiss Markus Schweizer. Third step of the podium for another Swiss: Thomas Hane.

Swiss podium in women's category with the victory of Sandrine Müller, talented young Swiss, who beat veteran Sabrina Meister. Third place for Dodo Suter.

Other winners in the category of Five days Puglia 2009: Beginners: Tobias Ling (SWE); Kids: Annick Meister (SUI); MW10: Tim Schilling (SUI); M12: Tobia Berger (SUI); M15: Joel Borner (SUI); M18: Severin Oppliger (SUI); M21B: Stefan Hess (SUI); M40: Martin Ward (GBR); M50: P-O Derebrant (SWE); M60: Franz Wyss (SUI); M70: Roland Dahl (SWE); M75: Birger Garberg (NOR); W12: Sonja Borner (SUI); W15: Milena Rubitchon (SUI); W18: Géraldine Müller (SUI); W21B: Ruth Forrest (GBR); W40: Anna Schmutz (SWE); W50: Rut Staneviciene (LTU); W60: Liana Meister (SUI); W70: Barbro Gullberg (ITA)