In Basilicata the champions of the 20th Mediterranean Open Championships were crowned. Dominating the weekend of exciting challenges were the Swiss Riccardo Rancan, reigning KO Sprint World Champion, and Sweden’s Vilma von Krusenstierna, national Sprint Champion, who added their names to the event’s roll of honour on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
Sweden is rampant in the overall standings: Isac von Krusenstierna and Jonatan Gustafsson complete the men’s podium, while Alva Sonesson and Alva Björk complete the women’s podium. An important space was also carved out for the Italians, with the best performances of Fabio Amadesi, sixth, and Jessica Lucchetta, fifth, both from the ranks of PWT Italy. The more than 300 athletes, from 23 nations, competed for the title of Mediterranean champion in two stages, in the characteristic whitewashed alleys of Pisticci and in the maze of ring-like streets of Rotondella, known as the balcony of the Ionian Sea. For safety reasons, related to the slipperiness of the track due to rain among the evocative Sassi di Matera, the third stage did not count towards scoring, although the participants nevertheless took advantage of the appointment for technical training.
The Championship, organised by SSD PWT Italia, was made possible thanks to the collaboration of FISO Basilicata and the patronage of Federazione Italiana Sport Orientamento and Regione Basilicata, Province of Matera, municipalities of Francavilla in Sinni, Nova Siri, Montalbano Jonico, Policoro, Bernalda, Scanzano Jonico, Pisticci, Rotondella and Matera. “The competitions combined the challenge of urban orienteering with the beauty of one of the most fascinating regions in Italy,” says Gabriele Viale, Event Manager of the MOC. “These labyrinthine historical centres are natural maps for the Sprint competitions, which are valid over the weekend as a World Ranking Event, awarding points for the world ranking. A great return to Lucanian soil after the 2013 edition. We will work to bring a new event in 2027, thanks to which we will consolidate an area for international orienteering for the development of deseasonalised tourism”.
The competitions, held in Pisticci and Rotondella respectively, were preceded by a programme of itinerant camps in Francavilla in Sinni, Nova Siri, Montalbano Jonico, Policoro, Bernalda and Scanzano Jonico: the runners had the opportunity to train in different Lucanian villages, real open-air gyms particularly sought after by foreigners to test their preparation. On the occasion of the stage in Francavilla in Sinni, the mayor Romano Cupparo welcomed the Ukrainian national team by presenting the captains Olena Babych, winner of the MOC 2024, and Ruslan Glebov with a selection of typical local products. A symbolic gesture of friendship and closeness towards the Ukrainian population and a wish for imminent peace.