The Junior World Orienteering Championships kicked off Monday in Primiero, Italy with the sprint discipline.

Two Yukoners are there representing Canada: Colin Abbott and LeeHawkings.

This is the second trip to the Junior Worlds for the pair who also competed last year in Sweden.

Colin Abbott was the top North American with an impressive 75thplace finish.

This marks a huge improvement from last year. Coming into the competitions, he was hoping for a top 100 placing.

Abbott finished the tricky 3.1-kilometre course through the narrow alleys and streets of the Imer-Mezzano map in Primiero in a time of 17:23.

The race was won by Switzerland's Matthias Kyburz in 14:43.

Lee Hawkings also made an improvement on last year's results moving up to 139th place this year from 148th last year.

Hawkings was battling a bit of a cold before leaving for Italy last week.

The long flight to Europe and jetlag didn't help the situation.

"I got an email from Lee yesterday saying that he had a really sore throat. I told him not to race unless he was feeling much better today. I am happy just to see his name in the results list today," said Yukon orienteering coach Brent Langbakk in a press release. "To make an improvement on last year, too--it is a good sign. Hopefully he will feel better for the races later in the week."

The Junior Worlds continue today wit the long distance race.

Complete results and more information can be found at www.jwoc2009.it/.

Orienteering requires competitors to navigate to designated checkpoints using map and compass through unknown terrain. While most races involve high-speed cross-country running, other popular variations include orienteering on mountain bikes or on nordic skis.

It originally developed more than 100 years ago in Scandinavia and races are held in more than 60 countries worldwide.