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Italy Looking to Spoil NZ’s Party

Michael Jaques / 23.09.2005

The 21st World Mountain Running Trophy was officially opened with a street parade through the heart of the city watched by thousands and an admission from Italy that they are in town to spoil the party for New Zealand’s world championship hopes.

Competitors were welcomed into Civic Square by a traditional Maori powhiri (welcome), which clearly moved many of the foreign entrants. “We do not see so much of this culture in Europe,� said Norwegian competitor Jon Tvest. “It is very impressive, very moving.�

Norway are just one of 27 countries here in Wellington for the world championship event. Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast and World Mountain Running Association Chairman Danny Hughes (UK) officially opened the event, with Prendergast making special mention of Wellington’s own mountain running world champions, Jonathan Wyatt and Melissa Moon.

Wyatt and Moon go to the line on Sunday, with Wyatt attempting his fifth world title while Moon attempts her third. The Wellingtonians also lead very strong teams, with both the men and women squads among the favourites for team honours.

Proud Italy

In a media conference this afternoon, however, the proud Italian team hinted at their defiance. Italy have traditionally dominated the world mountain running scene, with their men being unbeaten in the team title since the inception of the World Trophy in 1985. Their women are similarly dominant, having won nine times over the 20 years.

Italian team veteran Antonio Molinari, the 1996 World Trophy winner, speaking through an interpreter, talked of their team’s history and experience and said, “We come to New Zealand with the idea of winning. We are here to win our 21st team trophy.�

None of the Italians, however, could be prompted to predict their individual chances, with Emanuele Manzi, the silver medallist in 2001, saying, “I have good form and will try to win, but Jonathan Wyatt is numero uno.�

England’s Bill Burns also deferred to Wyatt’s unbeaten status. “I don’t really think about Jonathan,� he said. “I just think about holding on for as long as I can and hoping for the best.�

Burns, third in 2001 and one of the most consistent performers on the world scene, also warned not to forget England in the race for the team title. “We have probably our strongest ever team,� he said of a squad that includes three former top-10 finishers at the World Trophy. “It’s a team that will suit this course, especially the downhills,� he said.

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