Launceston's Brodie Nankervis helped inspire Australian success at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Aarhus, Denmark.
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In the same city that Hobart's Hanny Allston stunned the orienteering world by winning the 2006 senior world championships, Nankervis produced more Tasmanian joy.
As coach of the Australian team, he helped Finland-based Victorian Aston Key win the sprint event.
Seasoned Launceston sports administrator Christine Brown was on the jury for the championships and was impressed by the Australian showing.
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"The team felt that they had prepared well for the sprint. It had been their main focus with a lot of preparation into looking at route choices and navigation around the complex buildings as best they could from the limited information available.
"The area was a residential one with lots of rows of buildings at different angles, lots of paths between the buildings and an extensive network of uncrossable hedges. The map was intense and orienteers had to concentrate hard from the start.
"Speaking with Brodie before the event, he said the team were fit and well, confident of a good day and had really focused on this event.
"Brodie has been able to use his experience as a multiple junior and world championship representative to guide the team to such a strong performance."
Brown said the Australian women's team did well with many at their first junior world championships including Tasmanian Mikayla Cooper who finished a creditable 77th from 156.
"Mikayla's result was excellent for her first formal run in Europe.
"To have five of them finish in the top half of the field was a good result, especially when you see the depth and quality of the Scandinavian teams."
A total of 343 athletes from 41 nations are competing at the event.
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