Filling the top three spaces on the female leaderboards are all new entries from the Swedes. Maja Wellner (SWE,1), Sara Backstrom (SWE, 2), and Malin Dahlback (SWE, 3) took on multiple competitive events and performed.
At the Swedish Champs Wellner took 1st in the 400m, 2nd in the 3km, 1st in the standard course, as well as 2nd at 15km Tough Viking. Dahlback taking the top podium spot at Tough Viking, whilst Backstrom, S. came in 3rd at Tough Viking, as well as 2nd at the Norway National Champs, and 1st in the Swedish Champs 3km.
The male top 3 sees more variety in nations, made up of Leon Kofoed (DEN, 1), Martin Backstrom (SWE, 2), and Veejay Jones (USA, 3). Kofoed had successful races with two first place podiums at the Swedish Champs 3k, & 400m, and 2nd place at the Danish OCR Champs. Backstrom, M., Husband of Sara performed across three events; 1st place at the Norway National Champs 8km, Tough Viking 15km 1st place, and 1st place at the Swedish Champs standard course.
At the Pan American Champs, American athletes Veejay Jones (USA, 3) and Nicole Mericle (USA, 5) placed in first place.
Looking ahead to the Madrid 3k, athletes Federica De Caria (UK, 8), and Fergal Keaney (IRE, 7) earned their spots in the final with stunning performances at the South West Sprint.
