RACING RETURNS: CARTER-DAVIES AND SMITHARD FASTEST OUT OF LOCKDOWN![]()
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Megan Carter-Davies (Swansea Bay Orienteering Club) won the first major post-lockdown race on Saturday 17th April in Nottingham 43 seconds clear of Alice Leake (Airienteers) in second. The Welshwoman took the lead on the fourth control and never looked back over the 3.6 km sprint course. Cecilie Andersen of Bristol Orienteering Klub finished third.![]()
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Carter-Davies did not have it all her own way with Leake taking a number of fastest splits and arguably running quicker at times but not always finding the best routes. Charlotte Ward (Humberside & Lincolnshire) matched Leake for much of the course however only after a costly mis-read of the overprint early on.![]()
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Ex-international Dave Schorah planned a 14-15 minute winning time at the instruction of selectors to simulate WOC-length courses - they were won just seven seconds apart in 14:25 and 14:18. Route-choices started from leg one, into a set of accommodation blocks, before crossing the campus to loop around the western side. A map-flip revealed more testing legs that rewarded runners assessing all options as they fatigued towards the finish.![]()
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In the Men’s Chris Smithard (Forth Valley Orienteers) started fast and finished fastest, 11 seconds ahead of Nathan Lawson (Octavian Droobers). Jonny Crickmore (South Yorkshire Orienteers) pipped Will Gardner (Octavian Droobers) for third.![]()
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With injury and illness leading into the race Lawson and Crickmore could have been expected to be a little further off. Both ran strongly and executed well to keep within grasping distance whilst Gardner never fully recovered from an early mistake.![]()
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Travel restrictions meant the race did not score in the UK Elite League but it was a selection race for internationals in Czech Republic, Switzerland and Italy later this year. The 2021 League proper starts on 15th May at Witherslack in the Lake District where we’ll see what happens when Scotland-based athletes are thrown into the mix.![]()
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Results: noc-uk.org/events/result?id=643![]()
Maps: noc-uk.org/gadget/rg2/#197![]()
Photos (David Olivant): noc-uk.org/members/Gallery?ymd=20210417
We have some racing for you, if you can legally get to England on 17th April.![]()
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In a straight sprint we’ll get to see how athletes emerge from training and cope with the pressure of racing for the first time in months.![]()
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Staged on the Nottingham Trent Clifton Campus and plannned by Dave Schorah, you can be sure of challenging route choices and technical execution.![]()
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ENTRIES CLOSE THIS FRIDAY at noc-uk.org/Events/FIX?ID=643.![]()
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Act quick to secure your spot as there are only 30 places per class.![]()
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As a senior test race this event is open to MW21/35s only plus older juniors wanting to test themselves against the best.![]()
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No League scoring due to travel restrictions.
Another date for your diary: 16/17th January 2021 ✍️![]()
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After the success of the last two weekends, hero Martin Bagness is motivated to stage a third with more high-class racing.![]()
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Exact formats and areas to be confirmed but you will definitely be checking-in to Lakeland OC’s Haverthwaite night race 🌒 and we’ve heard rumours of Simpson Ground above Windermere for Sunday 🌲![]()
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2020 League supported by NVii Str8 UK (nviistr8.uksales@gmail.com) and Formline.uk.
So who were the true Lakeland Warriors?![]()
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Cecilie Andersen (Bristol) had an incredible weekend a fortnight ago, winning every race and clipping a few guys in the process.![]()
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Laura King (EUOC) and Helen Ockenden (EUOC) were second and third with Laura Robertson (Edinburgh Southern) and Victoria Stephens (Aire) also getting close.![]()
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Will Gardner edged ahead the head-to-head middle but the night and long were classic Graham Gristwood (Forth Valley) terrain, who took the overall win. Jonathan Crickmore (Southdowns) made his return to elite orienteering for second with Gardner (Octavian Droobers) third.![]()
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Alastair Thomas (EUOC) took two second places before unfortunately injuring on Sunday. Special mention to Matt Elkington (OD), sandbagging since his lurgy but right in the mix both days.![]()
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Our lead sponsor @nvii_str8_uk were in attendance with their race-winning shoes and compasses. The NVii Crazy Light F1 was the choice of Will Gardner for its extreme light weight and studded grip.![]()
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Available direct at nviistr8.uksales@gmail.com or online from formline.uk.![]()
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Big thanks to Warrior / Lakeland OC and Masterplan Adventure for staging and assisting.
Think another lockdown is coming? Then lock in this weekend in the Lakes to bank your final race.![]()
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Brought to you by Warrior OC in association with Masterplan Adventure and UK Elite League, the total time from three technical races will determine the true Lakeland Warrior.![]()
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The weekend starts in the early afternoon Saturday 31st October with a middle distance on Thwaite Head at the south end of Graythwaite.![]()
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Get your head torch charged for Saturday night’s middle race at Bishops Wood, pictured.![]()
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Times from the first two races will be added determine the times for Sunday’s chasing start (fastest first). Racers will start onto three different loops to prevent grouping, with time gaps adjusted as necessary to comply with guidance.![]()
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Details: ukeliteoleague.org.uk/2020-2/#LW![]()
Entry: sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=7600![]()
£10 per race, £5 juniors/students![]()
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If cancelled due to increasing coronavirus restrictions then the races will rearranged at the earliest opportunity.![]()
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Due to locals lockdown around the country it is unlikely these races will score in the Elite League. TBC.