Report (by Sheila) from the Jan Kjellström (JK) 2024 International Festival of Orienteering in the Midlands:
23 competitors from QO took part in the JK 24 International Festival of Orienteering, 29 March to 1 April 2024. Competitors aged from 14 to 80+, including our Junior rep from the South West Juniors Team, Finley Goddard (M14), the M21 Elite Team from the Fieldhouse Family (Robin, Adam and Robert) and the Lewis and Craddock families representing QO. Accompanying family members included parents, children and grandchildren of all abilities and experience, travelling to the Midlands for 4 days over Easter of varied and exciting, competitive orienteering.
Day 1 was a fast and furious sprint event around Loughborough University Campus, providing a mix of buildings with complex criss-cross roads, paths, open spaces, and steps. This was a World Ranking Event with congratulations to all who took part and especially Finley (M14) and Steve (M70) awarded Championship Points, Silver to Robin (M21E), Phil (M45), Brian, Andy and Paul (M60s), Ray (M70) and Rosie (W65), and Bronze to Oliver (M16) and Roger (M80).
Day 2 was a Middle distance event in the forest at Beaudesert, near Rugeley, a diverse area of largely runnable woodland with varied vegetation and an extensive path network including multiple rides and deer paths. Having had so much rain prior to the event, there were some very boggy, marshy areas of unavoidable, squelchy deep mud that slowed even the elite athletes a little. More great results across the QO team (see JK Results search team QO on www.sportindent.co.results/JK/2024)
Day 3 was a Long event again at Beaudesert, this time extending to all corners of the map and covering some areas of very complex contours with interesting areas of raised ‘bell pits’. These appeared as clusters of knolls with deep pits in the middle, which caught out a few competitors who ended up checking out several nearby pits before finding their own controls. Again, more great results from everyone representing QO (see JK Results).
Day 4 for the final event, culminated in an exciting and challenging Relay at Stanton Moor near Matlock in the Peak District. Three teams each of 3 runners from QO competed in the M21E, Men’s Veteran and Ad Hoc mixed Team categories. The area was mostly open, runnable heather moorland, with birch woodland copses, thickets and some very intricate and challenging former quarry workings and Bronze Age cairns and ruined dwellings. Leg 1 runners had the challenge and excitement of Mass Starts, not allowed to open the map until the race had started and having to orientate quickly to ensure they headed off in their correct directions, as well as a spectator run through and loop into the finish for all to add to the spectator pressure. The QO Fieldhouse Team were 22nd out of 29 in the premiere JK trophy, the Vet men (Brian, Steve and Jeff) were 29th out of 39, and in the mixed Ad Hoc (Finley, Mark and Sheila) made it to the podium, placed 3rd out of 44.
Well done to everyone who braved the journey, muddy parking fields and wet weather (Day 4) to take part and thank you for everyone competing for QO, those supporting the competitors and for helping out at the events.
