So who were the true Lakeland Warriors?
Cecilie Andersen (Bristol) had an incredible weekend a fortnight ago, winning every race and clipping a few guys in the process.
Laura King (EUOC) and Helen Ockenden (EUOC) were second and third with Laura Robertson (Edinburgh Southern) and Victoria Stephens (Aire) also getting close.
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.
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.
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.
Available direct at nviistr8.uksales@gmail.com or online from formline.uk.
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.
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.
The weekend starts in the early afternoon Saturday 31st October with a middle distance on Thwaite Head at the south end of Graythwaite.
Get your head torch charged for Saturday night’s middle race at Bishops Wood, pictured.
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.
Details: ukeliteoleague.org.uk/2020-2/#LW
Entry: sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=7600
£10 per race, £5 juniors/students
If cancelled due to increasing coronavirus restrictions then the races will rearranged at the earliest opportunity.
Due to locals lockdown around the country it is unlikely these races will score in the Elite League. TBC.
@tamwisewilson has run every race in the 2020 season and sits at the top of the MU23 standings.
League tables across all categories have been updated on the website (link in bio) and can be seen in our Insta stories.
At the top we have Laura King, Peter Hodkinson, Thomas Wilson, Ellie Bales, Alastair Thomas, Rachel Brown and Peter Molloy.
Thank you to NVii Str8 UK for sponsoring the 2020 League with vouchers towards quality shoes and accurate compasses for winners and runners up.
NVii and Str8 are available direct nviistr8.uksales@gmail.com or online from formline.uk who are supplying vouchers for third placed athletes.
We will try to squeeze a few more rounds in!
Think another lockdown is coming? Then lock in this weekend in the Lakes to bank your final race.
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.
The weekend starts in the early afternoon Saturday 31st October with a middle distance on Thwaite Head at the south end of Graythwaite.
Get your head torch charged for Saturday night’s middle race at Bishops Wood, pictured.
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.
Details and entry link in bio, £10 per race.
If cancelled due to increasing coronavirus restrictions then the races will rearranged at the earliest opportunity.
Due to locals lockdown around the country it is unlikely these races will score in the Elite League. TBC.
What a weekend. Countless cliffs, gorgeous green, impossible contours and majestic oaks. Thanks to Lakeland OC and Warrior athletes were treated to two days of incredible orienteering.
Rusland Beeches has featured in British Champs in the past but Saturday’s middle distance gave competitors the chance to spend more time amongst the crags, some taking more advantage than others 👀
Sarah Jones (Lakeland Orienteering Club) took the ladies win 34s ahead of Laura King (Edinburgh University Orienteering Club) and 1.01 in front of Cecilie Andersen (Bristol Orienteering Klub). We tipped Alastair Thomas (EUOC) for the win and he did, convincingly. Graham Gristwood (Forth Valley Orienteers) was 1.31 behind and Alasdair McLeod (Airienteers) another 14 seconds back.
We wanted to bring you a World Cup-style pursuit race but we’ll save that for another weekend. What we got was route-choicy long legs followed by a challenging butterfly and a deceptively tricky finish.
In the Women’s Cecilie Andersen showed her class with a five minute victory over Grace Molloy (Forth Valley) followed by Laura King. In the men Graham Gristwood moved up a spot to take his first Elite League win of 2020 with Alastair Thomas in second in front of Peter Hodkinson (Interlopers Orienteering Club - Edinburgh).
The League is sponsored by NVii Str8 UK which can be ordered direct at mailto:nviistr8.uksales@gmail.com or online at formline.uk.