52nd WMC Orienteering - Cartagena (ESP) - Summary News
CARTAGENA (ESP) – The 52nd World Military Orienteering Championship (WMC Orienteering), hosted in the historic city of Cartagena, Spain, brought together 27 nations to celebrate athleticism, teamwork, and cultural exchange. Running from October 17 to 22, this prestigious event, organized by the Spanish Navy and Armed Forces under the International Military Sports Council (CISM), included diverse orienteering disciplines: Middle Distance, Long Distance, and the Sprint Relay, culminating with the Relay Race.
The championship officially opened on October 17 at the scenic Plaza Mayor in Cartagena, presided over by Vice Admiral Victoriano Gilabert Agote, representing the Spanish Navy. Distinguished guests, including Cartagena’s Mayor Noelia Arroyo and Colonel Steven Rosso, the Official CISM Representative, welcomed participants. Mayor Arroyo highlighted the championship’s embodiment of military values such as sacrifice, effort, and camaraderie.
Vice Admiral Gilabert officially inaugurated the championship, declaring the event open to a global assembly of military teams. Participants also had the opportunity to explore Cartagena’s rich history, stunning beaches, and cultural landmarks, creating a memorable mix of competition and cultural immersion.
The competition commenced with the Middle Distance race on October 18. Austria's Jannis Bonek dominated the men’s event, finishing in 23:11, followed by France’s Mathieu Perrin and Austria’s Mathias Peter. In the women’s race, Switzerland’s Simona Aebersold claimed first place with a commanding lead, clocking in at 22:32.6, ahead of Latvia’s Sandra Grosberga and Poland’s Ewa Bernaciak.
The following day, the Long Distance event tested endurance and navigation. Estonia’s Timo Sild emerged victorious in the men’s category with a time of 1:08:28.7, followed by France’s Mathieu Perrin and Basile Basset. Simona Aebersold continued her dominance in the women’s event, finishing in 46:04.3, six minutes ahead of France’s Isia Basset. Switzerland’s Paula Gross secured third place.
Austria excelled in the men’s team classification, claiming gold with a total time of 6:32:43, while France and Switzerland completed the podium. In the women’s team category, Switzerland triumphed with a cumulative time of 3:55:11, with France and Poland securing silver and bronze, respectively.
The competition’s highlight was the Mixed Sprint Relay on October 20, set against the narrow streets and historical sites of Cartagena. Switzerland’s team, led by Simona Aebersold and featuring Tino Polsini, Fabian Aebersold, and Paula Gross, claimed gold with a commanding performance, finishing in 57:33.7. This marked Simona Aebersold’s third gold medal in the championship.
France secured silver with a strong performance by Maelle Beauvir, Basile Basset, Mathieu Perrin, and Isia Basset, while Poland earned bronze, led by Agata Olejnik and Aleksandra Hornik. Austria and Switzerland’s second team rounded out the top five.
Athletes and spectators alike enjoyed Cartagena’s cultural offerings, with opportunities to explore its heritage and natural beauty. Fans could follow the races live on the Spanish Orienteering Federation’s YouTube channel, ensuring global accessibility to this thrilling championship.
The competition continued with the final Relay Race, promising to cap off an unforgettable championship that showcased the precision, endurance, and camaraderie of the world’s best military orienteers.
Follow the races live on the Spanish Orienteering Federation YouTube Channel and follow the event on the LOC Facebook Page and LOC Website.
 | Cartagena hosts 52nd WMC Orienteering with 27 Nations competing |
 | Austria and Switzerland dominate early events at 52nd WMC Orienteering |
 | Swiss precision triumphs in Cartagena as streets turn into a battleground for the Sprint Relay |
 | Simona Aebersold completes golden sweep as Austria and Switzerland claim Team Relay gold |
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
