Yukon Orienteering Association member Pam James qualified for the middle distance final at the World Orienteering Championships in Kiev, Ukraine on Monday.

James finished 14th in her heat, with the top 15 from each of the three heats going through to the final.

James' experience this is her 10th time at worlds was invaluable. Many high-ranked runners had trouble and made mistakes while she kept her cool in the tricky terrain.

Conditions were even more difficult because of areas with thick bushes and lots of leaves that made the terrain and the controls very difficult to see.

Asked how she felt about her performance James said she was very happy to meet her major goal of the season by qualifying for the final.

'I'm so excited I'm tingling all over �- but maybe that is from the stinging nettles,' she added with a smile.

This result was especially nice after finishing 17th and missing out on the final by just 24 seconds in the sprint qualification on Saturday, in what was another excellent effort by James.

Meanwhile, another YOA member, Brent Langbakk, is also in the Ukraine representing Canada. Langbakk ran the sprint on Saturday and the long distance on Sunday.

While the sprint race had too many errors, he was quite pleased with his performance in the long.

In a very tight men's heat, he was only two minutes outside of qualifying for the 15th and final spot in the final, finishing in 22nd spot. A three-minute error on one of the controls was the crucial factor.

'It is a little bit tough knowing but that I could have made it through without the mistake, but at the same time, it is good to know that I have the capacity to be there.

'Overall, it is the closest I have been to qualifying and to the winning time in a heat so I am satisfied,' said Langbakk.

The World Orienteering Championships got underway this past Saturday in Kiev.

The action continues this week. James, the only Canadian to qualify for a final, will compete in the event on Wednesday.

The relay events are being held on Saturday, where both James and Langbakk will be running on Canada's three-person women's and men's teams.

The championships wrap up on Sunday, following the sprint final.