SC RE The Home of Scottish June 2015

INSIDE: Tiomila World Schools, Turkey Event News WOC PREPARATIONS PLUS lots more

magazine of the SCOTTISH ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION SC RE The Home of Scottish Orienteering contents

04 PRESIDENT’S PIECE 06 POST-WOC DEVELOPMENT 07 7TH AT TIOMILA 08 EVENT NEWS 10 POINT SOL 4, GLEN DYE 11 SCOTTISH SCHOOLS’ ORIENTEERING FESTIVAL

12 WHO’S WHO ON THE 8 SOA BOARD Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, 14 WORLD SCHOOLS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS - TURKEY 18 COACHING CORNER 19 35 YEARS AGO… 20 INJURY PREVENTION 22 ORIGINS - SCORE CONTRIBUTORS’ STORIES 24 IN PRAISE OF… 14 MOUNTAIN BIKE 11

ORIENTEERING Picture: Judy Bell, ESOC

Picture: Roger Coombs, MAROC 25 JUNIOR NEWS 25 VETERAN NEWS 26 ELITE NEWS 28 WOC 2015 NEWS 30 HIGHLAND 2015 NEWS 32 EVENT PREVIEW 33 HIGHLAND WOLF PREVIEW 34 MEMBER BENEFITS 35 COMPASS POINT SOL 26 AND BTO SOUL DATES 33

Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Lindsay, Crawford Picture: 2 www.scottish-orienteering.org editor’s intro ABOUT ORIENTEERING Information on orienteering or any SOA activity can be obtained from the Association Secretary: Scottish Orienteers, [email protected] Addresses of clubs, details of HELLO again – hope you’ve had the chance to groups and a short guide to the go to some of the excellent events since the last sport are available from: issue of SCORE. National Orienteering Centre There’s plenty of news from them here, including Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore two big junior events: the World Schools Orienteering PH22 1QU. Championships in Turkey, Tel 01479 861374 and the Scottish Schools’ [email protected] Orienteering Festival somewhat closer to home. This issue also SCORE Advertising has an account of the Tiomila Full page: £90 relay in , an article Half page: £60. about injury prevention, and Discounted rates available for two more SOA Board profiles, multiple issues. as well as an update on Contact us to discuss: Highland 2015 and WOC 2015 communications@ – not long to go now! Do look ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, scottish-orienteering.org at the back page too, for details about the John Muir Trust, who have a Visitor Centre SCORE Editor in Pitlochry – well worth a look, on your way to or Sally Lindsay from the Schiehallion Weekend. [email protected] Thanks to all contributors. The next issue will be in September – any orienteering-related articles or Design comments will be gratefully received. MediArtStudio The photo this time was taken on Hallin Fell, by www.mediartstudio.co.uk Ullswater in the northern Lake District, following the email: [email protected] recent Twin Peak events, which were on Place Fell and Angle Tarn Pikes, in the background. Printed by: Groverprint & Design, Have a great summer! Studio 2B1, Industrial Estate, Sally Lindsay Newtonmore Editor PH20 1AL

Cover pic - The senior mass start at the Scottish Championships Relay. Pic courtesy of Crawford Lindsay, ESOC

COPY DATE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 26 AUGUST 2015

The views expressed by contributors to SCORE are not necessarily those of the SOA Board, nor of the Editor. www.scottish-orienteering.org 3 president’s piece by roger scrutton (ESOc) SOA President email: [email protected]

’ll begin by revisiting some bashing (probably several man-days) Iitems I mentioned in my March might be a first for the 6-Days event President’s Piece. – I can’t say I am particularly looking First, I am very pleased to say that forward to it, but it must be done. sportscotland has decided to fund Over the next few months, the SOA us for 2015-2016 at more-or-less Board will be developing the SOA the same level as in recent years. Strategy for 2016-2020, to follow on This means they accepted that the from our current 2012-2015 Strategy. cause of the slump in membership The Strategy document will be a that we suffered in 2013 and 2014 very important element in our bid was beyond our control, and we to sportscotland later this year for are grateful to them for taking this funding over the 2016-2020 period. A approach. Our latest membership couple of years ago, sportscotland numbers continue to show a recovery moved to a process of agreeing ‘in in 2015. principle’ to provide funding for a Second, we are now undergoing four-year period, although the actual the new KPMG governance amount of funding is decided year- development audit commissioned by-year. This gives a sport governing by sportscotland. It is only 20 body the security of knowing that months since we received the report within a four-year period, funding will from the previous audit (outcome: not suddenly disappear, but it also “Satisfactory, with comments”) but means that every four years there is I am confident we can show some the risk that funding will be withdrawn progress since that report, while a few for the next four-year period. Although comments are still to be dealt with. I’m sure sportscotland would act Third, we move ever closer to WOC sympathetically in this situation, the 2015 and Highland 2015 – at this very bid we will be making at the end moment the BOF website informs me of this year is more-than-usually that we are 72 days and 5 hours away important. We have some pointers from the first action. I am one of the that suggest that our Strategy co-planners for Day 2 of the 6-Days, should pay particular attention to at Strathfarrar. My next task is to join supporting clubs in building links and in the bracken-bashing exercise there, partnerships within their communities, to make sure runners can actually including schools and youth make progress through some parts of groups, and continuing to provide the area. We are reliably informed that opportunities for volunteers of all if bracken is bashed down in June, its kinds to develop their skills. We are growth will be significantly stunted. aware of the frustration that several This organised, large-scale bracken- clubs experience in their work with

4 www.scottish-orienteering.org www. Photography. Chris Spencer (MOR), ActivNorth me! It was taken at Forres East by in schools,whatis? invitation for orienteering to be taught Societ http://www.rin.org.uk/NewsItem/4060/ Nav SkillsTaught AtSchool Society “Sedated by Software” Needs has issued a news item, In the last few weeks, the Institute for do, and not do, in their everyday life. translate into what they are able to ‘the outdoors’ does not necessarily fundamental desire to engage with essentially indicating that children’s from the world of outdoor education, club growth. conversion of volunteer effort into together, we might do to improve the happens in other sports, and what, what works, what doesn’t, what an audit of clubs’ work with schools: Officer in Morayshire, to undertake Rodgers, our Regional Development try to address this, I have asked Mike does not convert into club growth. To schools, in that considerable effort The picture this month is not of In March, I finished with a comment yeal iaysots-reteigog B hn 01479861374(hasananswerphone) [email protected] Byphone By email National OrienteeringCentre atGlenmore Lodge. Pleasestateyourname, BOFmembership numberandaddress. If you’re reading theelectronic version, andwouldprefer apapercopyofSCORE,pleasecontact HilaryQuickatthe onpaper? Would youliketoreceivefuture issuesofSCORE By post y-). Now, if that isn’t an scottish-orienteering.org National Orienteering Centre, Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore PH221QU . (see

Picture: ActivNorth Juniors at Forres Juniors atForres E ast

Thank you 5 POST-WOC DEVELOPMENT by Hilary Quick (basOc) SOA Development Officer Email: [email protected] Mopping up the interest generated by WOC - some ideas for your club to join in with, or add to.

Find Your Way to Orienteering Coaching weekends, British Orienteering will soon be Glenmore Lodge and announcing a scheme whereby Speyside people interested in trying For beginners and returners orienteering – perhaps as a result aged 18+, a weekend of expert of seeing something of WOC – coaching in basic skills, in some can easily find information about of the best terrain in the UK. local opportunities to learn the Three non-residential weekends basics, then continue with local available: participation. • 12-13 September Clubs will be required to put • 19-20 September on a short series of introductory • 26-27 September coaching sessions (not necessarily delivered by a qualified coach), Cost: non-members - £60 followed by a series of regular club per person per weekend; SOA training sessions or low-key races. members - £50 per person per Significant factors here will be the weekend. Further discount of ease of finding details (avoiding £10 per person per weekend for ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, the standard fixture list), and the accredited WOC helpers. Hilary Quick progression and regularity of An invitation is extended to opportunities to participate locally. any licensed coach to plan and Resources and ideas will be deliver sessions, with whatever available for download by clubs. amount of mentoring support you Details will be in the next issue of need. Please e-mail me if you’re Focus. interested.

North of Scotland urban races Schools Orienteering Three races put on by local Many schools are becoming clubs, with free entry for local increasingly aware of the athletics club members who are benefits of orienteering and its accredited helpers at WOC: links with many aspects of the • 22 August – Forres curriculum. The one-day ‘Teaching • 6 September – Grantown Orienteering’ gives • November (date tbc) teachers the skills and resources – Inverness to introduce orienteering in school Could you join forces with in a sustainable way. nearby clubs to do something similar, and promote it to the local See: www.scottish-orienteering. athletics club? org/teaching 6 www.scottish-orienteering.org 7TH AT TIOMILA WITH TURUN METSÄNKÄVIJÄT by Scott Fraser (int)

The Tiomila is a 10-man overnight relay, held annually in Sweden. The name means 10 Swedish miles, or 100km, the rough distance run by each team. The straight-line distance of the 2015 race was 116km. Scott describes his team’s race:

iomila 2015 took place legs, but lost some time towards Tjust north of Stockholm in the end, which meant I started the region of Skepptuna in 6th, about 3 minutes off the (about 5km from Stockholm’s leading pack. Arlanda airport). The area hadn’t I knew it would be quite hard to been used for orienteering catch the leading pack (Thierry before, which is unusual for Gueorgiou, etc), so I tried to focus this region, so the terrain was on my own game. Although I a mystery to most. However, knew my own game wasn’t good Gustav Bergman (best orienteer enough for the top positions, in Sweden) did run 4.39mins/km I knew it was good enough to at a race on the adjacent area, ‘hold the line’. The race itself was so the expectations were of a tough experience for me, as I somewhat fast terrain. became really cold after about Having run for Södertälje- 15 minutes; a combination of not Nykvarn for the previous 4 years, much body fat, 17.2km I was used to running at the lead in the rain at 06:00 on a Sunday of these relays but my new club morning through wet bushes at 2 (TuMe) had been struggling in degrees temperature. recent years, so I wasn’t sure Not exactly what I had been what to expect in the morning. We preparing for, but on days like this started quite badly, losing more you just have to scrap it out, which than 9 minutes in total over the I did, and anchored the team to first 2 legs. 7th place. Something which we However, our Scottish ‘Night were satisfied with, but we have King’ Douglas Tullie ran the long the ambition to be amongst the night (3rd leg) and pulled us right top 5 teams. We just need that back into contention, finishing only extra bit of luck so that we can go a few seconds from the lead. Back out with the leading pack on the in the game! Anyone who has last leg, something which would run Tiomila before will know how have been a whole different ball important it is to be in the long game. night ‘train’, so Doug’s run here Now we are looking forward to saved the day for our team. We running the Finnish equivalent of ran in the leading pack for a few this relay: The Jukola! www.scottish-orienteering.org 7 event news

It’s been a busy time since the last issue of SCORE, with several major events, as well as the latest in the Compass Point Scottish Orienteering League (SOL) and bto Scottish Orienteering Urban League (SOUL). Here are some highlights.

First was SOL 2, on 22 March at with many Bonskeid Estate. This is a small rock features area, recently resurveyed, and and complex provided interesting challenges for contours, in everyone, especially in the areas of deciduous windblown trees! woodland, and JK 2015, 3 to 6 April (Easter the weather was weekend), in the southern Lake fine. As ever, District, had a large Scottish entry, there were many as well as many international great Scottish competitors preparing for WOC. The results (far too Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, JK Sprint took place on the varied many to report The Finish at JK Day 2 campus of Lancaster University, in here), with perhaps the most notable persistent drizzle. being Interløpers’ 5th consecutive win On the other days, the terrain in the Men’s Trophy at the JK Relay. was highly detailed, often steep,

SOL 3 came straight after the JK, on on) the podium, and in particular 12 April, at Mark Hill near Dalbeattie. the top 5 places in M21E were This was a rough, technical forest, members of Scottish clubs, with providing yet more interesting Graham Gristwood (FVO) taking the challenges, especially since it was M21E title. Jess very wet to start with. Tullie (BASOC) It was a long journey to the won W21E. Forest of Dean for the British In the Relays, Championships on 18/19 April. Interløpers The terrain was a contrast with won the Men’s the JK – generally very runnable Premier, with FVO deciduous woodland, with some coming 2nd, and old mine workings and large and ESOC came 2nd complex spoil heaps. The sculptures in the Women’s of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail Premier. There enlivened some courses. was also a win for

In the Individual event, there were FVO in the M40 ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, plenty of Scots on (or very nearly Relay. Deer sculpture in the Forest of Dean

8 www.scottish-orienteering.org The first weekend in May saw a all over the town, and longer courses double header on Deeside on had multi-part to make the most 2/3 May, with SOUL 3 in Aboyne, of the area. organised by MAROC, and SOL 4 in Unfortunately the weather was Glen Dye, organised by GRAMP. appalling on the Sunday – see The Aboyne race took competitors overleaf for a report from that event.

The British Sprint Championships than usual competing, but Scottish took place in Hampshire, at Aldershot elites again did well, with Murray Garrison, on Saturday 8 May, giving Strain (INT) winning the British Sprint fast and furious with heats and Championships, Helen Bridle (ESOC) finals in different parts of the garrison. coming 3rd, and Jess Tullie (BASOC) The British Middle Distance 4th. Championships were the next day, There were wins for Jess and James on chalk ridges in the Chilterns Tullie at the British Middle Distance near High Wycombe. As it was so Championships, with Murray coming far away, there were fewer Scots 3rd and Helen 2nd.

The Scottish Championships were Full results are available on the presented by the West Area clubs Scottish Championships page of the on 23/24 May, near Oban. There SOA website: http://www.scottish- were more international teams orienteering.org/championships present, which added to the general excitement. The Individual event was at Ardnaskie, on the south shore of Loch Etive, a technical area of small hills amidst marshes, with oak and birch forest. The complexity caught out many; relocation proved difficult. The Relays were at Inverawe Country Park, not far away, which had varied terrain, as promised. First came a plethora of controls on the lower ground near fishing ponds, followed by a steep hill with some beautiful mature beech forest, then open moorland and birch with glorious views up Loch Etive, and Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, finally a long run across meadows to Senior start, Scottish Relay the finish. www.scottish-orienteering.org 9 Compass Point SOL 4, Glen Dye by Helen Rowlands (GRAMP) Event Organiser

The fourth Scottish Orienteering League event of the year was one of the coldest and wettest many could remember. Helen gives the organiser’s view...

his SOL event was always Nor was the favoured ‘through route’ The sun did not shine. Tgoing to be hard work, even parking track (forestry work). This It was too wet to play. before the rain started. left the track we used, with the long So we went orienteering Never having organised a level B slow drive and spin round. Thus the All that cold, cold wet day. event before, I hadn’t realised how assembly area was in the middle of …. much extra was involved. the competition area, with limited And we saw him! Hiring portaloos, extra brikkes, space and nowhere suitable for a The Cat in the Hat! official first aid cover, Pre-O, string course. And he said to us, online entries with a closing date We also decided to avoid road “Why do you sit there like (though many didn’t notice that!), crossings for any course with age that?” all combined with more courses, classes for under 16s (i.e. all courses “I know it is wet more rules and more cars… many up to Short Brown). Given the And the sun is not sunny. thanks to a very patient controller weather conditions of the day, many But we can have (Brian Bullen, FVO) and the more of these factors became blessings. Lots of good fun that is experienced club members, who The assembly area was sheltered funny!” helped enormously all through the from the wind, start and finish were process, especially Rob Hickling close, the deepest burns in the Adapted from The Cat in with his ever expanding array of IT kit central area that rise very fast were the Hat by Dr. Seuss giving instant results and wifi access. not on any but the longest courses, Most of all, thanks to everyone for we were not towing people out of turning up, even from so far afield as a quagmire of a parking field, and Sweden and Japan. I believe (hope) there were very I don’t suppose there is any such few disappointed young ‘stringers’ thing as a perfect orienteering area, actually at the event. Hearing that and Glen Dye, although a pleasure people enjoyed themselves despite in which to run, is awkward to the weather made it all worthwhile. organise. The time of year (lambing), Just in case anyone was and change of farming practices wondering – we took the tents down (pedigree cattle herds) meant the dry on a beautiful sunny, warm usual field options were not available. Monday! 10 www.scottish-orienteering.org SCOTTISH SCHOOLS’ ORIENTEERING FESTIVAL

The 2015 SSOF was held in Livingston, on Friday 5 June, with schools from far and wide competing, around 350 pupils in all.

Paul Caban (INT), the Controller Tim O’Donoghue planner, explains: and I were on the same “Interløpers (Ken Daly, wavelength with the courses mainly) have been working I created, so not much with West Lothian Council, revision was needed. to put in two new Permanent And the was also Orienteering Courses in accurate, with only a couple Livingston. These were of corrections needed formally launched in April, (how can boulders simply Picture: Judy Bell, ESOC and as well as providing a disappear?) Interlopers is At the Finish facility for the public, and grateful to have received of competitors all shouting extending our map-base assistance from orienteers advice and encouragement of Livingston, we’ve also of a certain, ahem, age and to each other – as well developed some very useful employment status.” as seeking help! Rachel contacts in the Council. Brown (ESOC) had taken On the back of this, and to Judy Bell (ESOC) adds: 2 of her school friends, support local enthusiasm “The event was great fun. one of whom had not for Schools’ Orienteering, Ben Brown (ESOC) said, orienteered since last year’s we hosted the 2015 Scottish ‘Everyone was very helpful SSOF, and they both had a Schools’ Orienteering – although I think Robert great time, excitedly taking Festival. This used our Findlay was teasing when he selfies and pictures of the much-loved Dechmont asked me if I needed help to results to share with friends Law map, with its good download’. The overheard later. They also thought path network (four different comment from one young it was great to be racing TD1-standard courses are girl, ‘I thought I was going to alongside the Scottish stars needed for P5/6 & P7) and die out there!’ was obviously from the World Schools pockets of ‘interesting’ an exaggeration, but the and then have some of terrain for S5/6 students, sheer joy and excitement them presenting prizes and running at Light Green in her voice was testament encouraging others. For the standard, many of whom are to how much she had adult supporters, it was fun M/W18s in ScotJOS. enjoyed it. Although the watching the excited faces I was a little busy with regular orienteers found as they raced for the finish (secret) London Marathon the courses relatively line, and then compared training, so planning began straightforward, the network times and experiences.” in earnest once I’d learned of paths which all crossed to walk again in early May. each other confused For more details about Thankfully, Livingston is many of the pupils. Many the SSOF, including readily visitable for an came back from their runs results, see the website: evening after work, and commenting on the swarms http://www.ssoa.org.uk/ www.scottish-orienteering.org 11 who’s who on the SOA board

How well do you know the SOA Board members?

Next in the series introducing the SOA Board members is the Treasurer, Ian McIntyre (INT). Although the role of Treasurer may seem self-explanatory, it covers a wide range of tasks, as Ian explains:

Since I took approaching. Getting clear on on the role of exactly what cover we do have is Treasurer late in not straightforward. 2010, the SOA • Charitable status has been hugely has changed beneficial for the SOA, enabling significantly. almost £100,000 of sponsorship, We now have grants and donations. It brings six employees, with it significant additional the account reporting obligations.

Picture: Jane McIntyre (INT) transactions • Board governance processes have doubled, we are now a charity have been transformed. We with more opportunity and more have integrated annual and obligations, and following Race long term plans lined up with the Castles, our turnover reached strategy, performance tracking, nearly £250,000 last year. Sitting risk reviews, governance and HR on the SOA board is like running audits, and more. It’s not optional a small business. The Treasurer is if we wish to continue to access accountable for all things financial. sportscotland funds, and present This includes agreeing budgets, ourselves as worthy of receiving paying expenses, running the charitable donations. bank accounts and providing cost It can feel like the day job (I updates to the board, but there are manage strategy, planning and also a few hot topics: costs for BP’s onshore North Sea • Auto-enrolment pensions are assets). It’s a lot of hours (over 400 mandatory from April 2016. This last year), but the results are worth it. puts the onus on the employer to The SOA is now on a stable financial establish employee pension funds, footing, we have a credible plan, not the employee. We have been are respected enough to generate working with the Scottish Sports external support, and orienteering in Association to line up a pension Scotland is growing again. All of the provider to make this happen. Board understand that it’s the club • Insurance provides a constant volunteers who drive the sport along, stream of queries and is a focus but if we can help make it happen, now with the 6-Days and WOC then it’s time well spent. 12 www.scottish-orienteering.org www. soon hadusrunning aroundthe the PEdepartmentayearlater. He was afterTerry O’Brienarrived in first experienceoforienteering Secondary Schoolin1979and my have cometoexpect. the highstandardofeventthatwe and theeffortrequired,toensure many peoplecommittothesport, come torealisehowmuchtimeso Youscenes intheSOA. quickly about whatgoesonbehindthe someone whowantstoknowmore bodies. outside from information on pass to or help for requests get occasionally do I website. the on them puts who Frost Paul to them send checked, and up typed been they’ve once and meetings, the at minutes the take I reports. their circulate to and meetings the about members Board the remind then catering, the arrange year), a in 4 are (there meetings Board SOA the it wouldbeinteresting. taken onanythingelseandthought retired for2years,hadn’treally asked me if I would do it. I had been Secretary bydefault:RogerScrutton I thinkthatendedupasSOA is heldbyPauline McAdam(TINTO).Pauline says: important) roleisthatofSecretary–thisposition Another apparentlystraightforward(butvery I startedteachingatStAndrew’s This isdefinitelyajobfor for venue the book I Basically, scottish-orienteering.org do itagain,andagainand... Then, havingdoneitonce,I’d like to chasing thatelusive‘perfectrun’. Sweden, ItalyandBrazil,Iamstill having orienteeredincountries like fast andtoofar. 25yearsonand and, tobeginwith,wasrunningtoo Lynne Walker andHilaryQuick. and othertrainingweekendsrunby from trainingeventsrunbySTAG I have,overtheyears,benefitted than Iwilleverbe.Havingsaidthat, much moreconfidentintheirability orienteering asjuniorsandare is hardwork.Mydaughtersstarted in America. we hadreturnedfroma4-yearstay in1990,after Riley inVictoriaPark encounter withTerry andJackie again, wereitnotforachance and mightneverhaveorienteered just beforeSTAG wasformed, Myra, in1982 my daughter, school tohave like Mugdock. afield toplaces venturing further andfinally Park, then Tollcross school grounds, I cameintothesportasarunner Coming intoanysportasanadult I leftthe org/soa/contacts orienteering. www.scottish- website: http:// page oftheSOA the Contacts is availableon responsibilities, people, andtheir and otherkeySOA Board members A listofallthe 13

Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC WORLD SCHOOLS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 – ANTALYA, TURKEY by Roger Coombs (marOc)

cotland took 32 athletes and 4 A direct flight to Antalya from Glasgow Scoaches to Antalya in Turkey for and then a 90 minute coach journey saw the week-long World Schools us arrive one day earlier than most teams, Orienteering Championships. planned in order to avoid the bottlenecks This was the largest Scotland team to of Istanbul airport. A great idea, as several travel overseas for the biennial event. For teams (including England) chose the latter many of the athletes, this was their first route, and arrived at 3am, some 36 hours orienteering experience abroad, for others, later, and only 6 hours ahead of the opening their first experience of a competition of this of the Model Event. nature. Full results are available at www. The event was centred on The Queen’s isfwsco2015.org and there are reports on Park Resort, in Tekirova, a Russian- the SOA and SSOA websites; suffice to funded hotel complex on the shores of say that it was the most successful ever for the Mediterranean. Quite apart from the Scotland, with many podium places. obvious advantages and delights of being able to swim in the pool and sea, there were gym and sauna facilities and plenty of space for chilling out and socialising with other teams. The food was all provided at the hotel and consisted of a very extensive buffet. The cakes had to be seen to be believed! The weather was somewhat cooler than anticipated, around 18-20 degrees. It was just perfect for us. Picture: Roger Coombs, MAROC The Scottish team Some of the Scottish athletes recount their thoughts and experiences:

DAY ONE terrain was very rocky, both large boulders Faisal Khursheed (RR) - the first full day and small loose rocks, and there were we had in Turkey, we went for a training run some very steep slopes, which combined around the town we were staying in. This made my descending skills look very helped us get used to the hot, sticky air amusing. It was a nice change from back and the rocky terrain. home and very enjoyable. Faisal - As a whole, it was a flat boggy area SUNDAY 19 APRIL - surrounded by steep, rocky hills on three Model Event: Phasalis sides and the sea on the other. Jenny Ricketts (MAROC) - The Model Jenny - At the finish a tortoise was spotted, Event was a chance to learn what Turkish although only a lucky few actually saw it. terrain is like, how it was mapped, and Once finished, everyone relaxed on the what skills we would need in the races. The beach.

14 www.scottish-orienteering.org MONDAY 20 APRIL - But the best run of my season had come Long Distance: Tekirova at the right time, and I came second (and Terrain note: Moderately hilly terrain, steep managed to beat all the Swedes) so I was ascents and descents in places. Mostly extremely pleased that night! coniferous forest,with some open land. The Grace - I finished knowing I had a fast terrain had mostly quite good runnability time, but I was shocked to hear I was in and visibility. Some areas had dense the lead by over 6½ minutes, with only undergrowth. Few roads and paths. 3 competitors still in with a chance. I Grace Molloy (FVO) - After an intense had a nerve-wracking 6-minute wait until 2 days on the poolside sun loungers, the commentator announced that I had interrupted only briefly for the opening won W2 Select. I was absolutely thrilled ceremony and a jog around the model and overjoyed to be the World Schools area, it was time for the long distance race. Champion! Alex Carcas (INT) - My aims for the competition were: 1) beat the Swedes WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL - ;) and 2) try to have a clean run and see Middle Distance: Beycik where that put me on the results! Terrain note: Hilly terrain. Many large Grace - It was my first experience of boulders and stony ground reduce quarantine, and I had imagined it to be runnability. Mostly coniferous forest with somewhat prisonlike, where everyone sat limited visibility in places. Few paths. in absolute silence looking very serious. It Jura McMillan (EckO) - Before the start of turned out to be a sunny field, which was the race, I was nervous, as I hadn’t done far more relaxed and far less silent than very well on the long distance race. I had feared. I had elected to start in the Jake Chapman (MAROC) - I was feeling last block, so I was last out of the Scottish very hot, as the temperature had risen girls and fourth last on the whole course. towards the middle of the day. As I started, Standing in the blocks I wasn’t really I was focusing mostly on keeping a clear nervous at all, just excited to get out and head and concentrating on the task at start running. We had the luxury of getting hand. The terrain was difficult but fast; I to see the map a minute before starting and really enjoyed running on it. My confidence I used this time well to plan the longest leg. wobbled a little bit as I made a substantial Alex - My run was a bit shaky at the start, error on the second leg. I immediately losing time on the very first control with forgot about it and continued. The only a bit of pre-race nerves kicking in. I lost other error I made was going to control maybe a minute in the middle section of ten: my bearing was slightly too far east, the course with gigantic 2m tall, 4m wide meaning I had to change my route choice boulders throwing my concentration and half way through. completely changing my route choice. But Jura - As I went out for the first control of after that, I had a very clean run, taking the race, the rain started and I was feeling the lead on the course! Unfortunately a positive. I made a 30 second mistake on Finnish athlete came in near the end of the the first control. Number 2 was fast and day, stealing my lead by just 12 seconds. easy and I found it straight away. >> www.scottish-orienteering.org 15 WORLD SCHOOLS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 – ANTALYA, TURKEY

Clare Stansfield (FVO) - Trying to figure out who was in your team was rather stressful - wandering about the hotel looking for people whose Portuguese and Latvian names you couldn’t pronounce. The next morning, as the Scottish team made our way to the event and start area, we were all getting on well and had a sense that this was a chance to get something different out of a more light-hearted activity. Picture: Roger Coombs, MAROC James Ackland at the Start, Beycik Katie - There were about 60 controls, which had to be split up between the team As I was going to number 3, I was starting members. At 3 controls, all team members to feel my confidence returning, and I hit had to wait for each other and punch number 3, 4, and 5 bang on. Going to together. We were given 40 minutes before number 6, I was a little slow, and I overshot the start to see the map, divide up the number 7 slightly. I was determined to controls and plan our routes. There was a catch up lost time, so sprinted to number 8 slight complication in my team (and many and 9. I didn’t hit number 10 or 11 bang on, others), as we had no common language but I was in the control circle for most of the between us, being Scottish, Ukrainian time. I was too high up the hill for number and Estonian. This made it very difficult to 12 but recovered quickly for number 13, decide who would go to which controls and then the finish. I really enjoyed the race. when we would meet! Jake - As I finished, I knew I had had Clare - Instead of a normal start, it was a a good run but wasn’t too confident as huge cornered-off square in the middle of a I knew another competitor from New flat open carpark in the town, and you went Zealand was starting not far behind me; into it with your team. As the race started, it I was waiting for him to return. When I was absolutely crazy! I just shouted to my found out I had won, it wasn’t the feeling team that we’d (hopefully) see each other I thought it would be. I expected a rush soon and ran off in a huge group to my of excitement, but I was in fact left in awe first control, which was a free for all. I was of what I had done. Overall a thoroughly maybe 5th there, and already there was enjoyable experience! basically a fight - not very friendly! Katie - With everyone pushing and shoving THURSDAY 23 APRIL - to reach the control, no one could get near, Friendship Team Event: Kemer until someone shouted to form a line, which An urban team race round the seafront surprisingly everyone did! town of Kemer: typical urban terrain with Clare - Throughout the rest of the course, many small parks. I felt that there were a lot of people around Katie Skinner (MAROC) - In the friendship me at each control, so it wasn’t very relay, we were teamed up with two others technical, but more of a physical challenge, from different countries. as it was very hot. Punching the finish and

16 www.scottish-orienteering.org up the run-in, we ran holding hands, a great running shirts and jackets from other tradition of the race. At this point I thought countries. we had maybe come 5th, but I was so pleased still, considering that there were IN CONCLUSION 178 teams. Jenny - The day we left, Lindsay, Kirstin, Katie - It was a relief to find that I was not Roger, Blair and I went on a farewell run to last in my team to reach all the meeting the long area. It was great to be able to run controls, and the whole event was great across and along the many ridges without fun! worrying about where we were going and Clare - As the prize giving started, we to be able to take in the view of both the were all getting pretty hot and grumpy so I Mediterranean and the mountains. wasn’t feeling too happy, but as it went on, we all got more into it. Then when I heard them call out our team number and our names, I was slightly confused, because I thought we’d come 5th, but as my team mates got up, I ran up to them too. And it was such a good feeling! When I went up with them on the podium we hugged each other and said well done and I felt like I was going to burst! We had come 3rd! I will never forget how happy and how much of a team I felt with them. It seemed like it didn’t matter that half the time we had no idea of what the other was trying to say, or that just 30 minutes before we had been sweating it out trying to find each other in a crowd. It felt like it had made us more

like a team and worthy of what we were Picture: Roger Coombs, MAROC receiving. It seemed it didn’t matter that I Tekirova, on the final day had messed up both the long and middle days, somehow it felt to me that that was Alex - I would like to say a really big thank so much less important than being part of you to each of the coaches that went on the something nicer, not just about winning, trip and made it happen. As it was my first but about your team and being a part World Schools Champs (and my last, as of that team, and knowing that although I’m too old next time), I wasn’t sure what to you weren’t necessarily the best in that expect from the trip, but what I discovered team, you helped them to feel absolutely was a really fun trip where, I thought, amazing. everyone got on really well. I think also the Katie - We also had the opportunity to fact that we had success in pretty much swap kit with the other countries at the every age group was very impressive and end of the race, so came home with some really helped the excellent team spirit! www.scottish-orienteering.org 17 coaching corner

by lynne walker (BASOc) SOA Coaching Coordinator - email: [email protected]

We are all well into the competition season by now. Some will have a slight pause between the Schiehallion Weekend and Highland 2015; others will be away abroad, competing in different terrain from the familiar Scottish forests and towns.

What have you learnt from your remembered to read the terrain competitive runs so far this information provided, especially Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, season? Have you used the as an area can be quite different various analysis tools available, with summer vegetation? What like WinSplits and RouteGadget? do satellite images show the area What can you do with these? is like? Do maps show any steep Have you asked a coach for hills? What is the plan of an urban advice about using these tools? area? Are there any previously Interpretation post-event can help used maps with courses on you work out where you were RouteGadget? orienteering well (and link this to the techniques you were using at It is your choice to decide those times), and where you lost how well to prepare yourself time (what did you forget to do?). for competition. Remember the Benjamin Franklin statement: How are you preparing to take “By failing to prepare, you are on unknown terrain? Have you preparing to fail.”

SUMMER TRAVELS Are you going to any of the following? • Southern Italy Orienteering Festival (Gallipoli, Italy), 8-12 July • O-Ringen (Borås, Sweden), 18-24 July • French 4-Days O’Doubs (Malbuisson, France), 23-26 July • OOcup (Lokve, Slovenia), 25-29 July • World Masters Orienteering Championships (Gothenburg, Sweden), 26 July - 1 August • Another foreign multi-day event? If so, SCORE would love to hear about your travels for a feature in the September issue – 350 words maximum, ideally with a photo. Please email: [email protected]

18 www.scottish-orienteering.org 35 YEARS AGO... by Neil McLean (gramp)

Thanks to Ewart Scott of ESOC, who sent me a couple of old SCORE magazines for the relevant period, and my stock of old results, I’ve been able to pull together more memories, from late 1979 to late 1980.

ometime in that period, David twins, Jon and Tim, and a Buchaneers SRitchie of Moravian took on the friend. Only 2 other carloads came to the task of editing SCORE; he also event from the North. (with Ted Finch of FVO) became the In June that year, Ian Rowland of AUOC first PT Development Officers for the had an idea to hold a ‘Tough O’ event in the SOA. David was a tireless worker for hills to the east of the Glenshee ski area. I the SOA in the North for many years. controlled it for him. It was a mass start, and He ‘disappeared’ for a number of years, so bunching inevitably happened for most but has recently reappeared at Moravian of the 30. Not for the winner though: Martin events. Welcome back, David. Dean won by 12 minutes. The first pack of 7 Nowadays we take for granted so many was led in by Jack Maitland of AUOC. features of our sport. Many had to be Later in the year, Moravian hosted the ‘discovered’ or ‘invented’. I suspect that Scottish Junior Championships at Sluie Carol McNeill had experienced separate Ramphlat. That same Jack Maitland won, control description lists abroad, and beating (amongst others) Steven Hale reported this in SCORE. A letter by Bob and Jon Musgrave in M17. W17 was won Climie endorsed the proposal. Other letters by Clare Heardman of FVO, ahead of included a comment about poor spelling. Clare Elgood (I’m fairly sure she became No Spellcheck in those days! C Martin) and Hazel McNee (now Dean). JK 1980 was held in the Solway area. The event doubled as the Scottish Inter- My memory is of an M35 leg of 2.1km at Area competition, and an Inter-Regional, Dalbeattie, with loads of route choice. FVO Scotland versus Yorkshire and Humberside. were 2nd in the Men’s Relay, with a team Scotland won the Inter-Regional event of Gareth Bryan-Jones, Steve Barrett and narrowly. North East girls won the Inter- Martin Dean. MAROC boys won the M17 Area, while the South East boys won their relay, with a team of Jamie Harvie and the section. Guy twins Doug and Graeme. The last Badge event of 1980 was by Just before the JK, Clydeside Orienteers FVO, at Coille Mhor near the west end of ran a rescheduled Score Champs at Loch Rannoch. Low pre-entries and loads Balmaha. It had been postponed due to of entries on the day meant that maps bad weather. The only free date was a had to be recycled, Jim Heardman (the Saturday. Only 250 of the 400 pre-entries organiser) reported. Roger Coombs of no attended. Organiser Stefan Stasiuk offered club won M21. I note on these results the leftover maps at 15 pence each. I drove arrival of McGonigal O.C. of Dundee. When to the event with the then M17 Musgrave did they disappear? www.scottish-orienteering.org 19 INJURY PREVENTION

by Gillian Martin (ESOC)

Gillian, from Perth Chartered Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, shares some useful advice.

he first thing I need to physiotherapist. There could be Tsay is that in a sport like ongoing symptoms from an earlier orienteering, injuries will injury, or areas of weakness that happen. There are ways in which need worked on specifically. you can try to reduce the risk of Flexibility injury, but when you interact with Flexibility of the muscles and the environment it can bite back! mobility of the joints are key There are a few areas that I will aspects of fitness. Do you feel focus on and give some tips on stiff in the morning? Do you have how you can try to improve. specific muscles which feel tight

Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, How do we know what we need after training or competing? Even Stretching to work on to reduce our risk of simply comparing one side to injury? There are growing numbers the other will give you an idea of of screening tools that can be used whether any muscle imbalance is in clinic which assess strength, present. If so, this could suggest flexibility and balance, but there this is an area to work on. Often, are a few simple tests you can do people I see in clinic with a muscle yourself. strain tell me that they had been Balance feeling some tightness or stiffness Balance is an easy one – time beforehand. Unfortunately, it is how long you can stand on one leg, usually only when things become both with your eyes open and your painful that they seek treatment. eyes closed. Don’t forget to check There are many ways in which both legs! The table below shows you can work on this. As a Pilates how long you should be able to instructor as well as a physio, I use balance for your age. If you can’t this in athletes of all levels. Pilates, manage it, practice. If your time yoga and Tai Chi styles of exercise is significantly less than the time are all great to improve strength, shown (particularly with your eyes flexibility and control. I find with my open), it would be worth seeing a classes that an added benefit is that it helps both me and the individual Age Eyes open Eyes closed to identify areas of imbalance, 30s 30.0 seconds 27.5 seconds targeting training and (hopefully!) 40s 30.0 27.5 reducing risk of injury. 50s 29.5 21.8 Specific muscle stretches can also help improve areas of 60s 30.0 19.9 reduced flexibility, and there is 70s 27.7 8.9 some evidence that stretching can 80s 21.4 4.9 reduce risk of injury. It is always

20 www.scottish-orienteering.org important to check you are doing your stretches correctly – a slight change of position will take a muscle off stretch, or put the strain on another structure. Foam rollers are also growing in popularity as a way in which to work on muscle tightness. These can be used on most of the big muscle groups of the body. For areas that you can’t quite get at, a spiky ball is ideal (or a tennis ball). Again, if you’re not sure what to do, check with someone who knows. I would generally use the roller or spiky ball followed by a stretch. Ideally you would then follow with an exercise targeting the opposing muscle group, and a functional movement – for example, foam roller your Picture: Sally Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Sally Lindsay, hamstrings, do a hamstring stretch, followed by resisted knee it. The key issue is your training. Using a foam roller extensions, then some step ups. I I often see people who exercise mention the hamstrings as they are regularly and are surprised when I commonly tight. But interestingly, test strength and find key muscle injuries to the hamstrings are more groups that are significantly likely due to lack of strength than weak. While this is sometimes reduced flexibility – bringing me on the leftover effects of an injury, it to the next section. can be to do with how we use our Strength muscles. This means it is important Do you find it’s getting harder to use our muscles in different going up hills? Or do the legs just ways, in different movements and hurt a bit more after an event? directions. It’s all too easy to get These could be signs that your into the same gym routine, but strength isn’t quite what it used to simple things like changing the be. Unfortunately, muscle mass speed at which we do an exercise and strength is something that changes its effect – determining is affected by age, but it doesn’t whether an exercise will help mean we can’t do something about develop strength or endurance. www.scottish-orienteering.org 21 ORIGINS

There’s a huge variety of stories about how people became involved in orienteering; some SCORE contributors share their stories below.

JANICE NISBET, ESOC: TREVOR HOEY, FVO: I started at school - Dunfermline A new teacher, Sue Rogers, arrived High School. Mr Taylor, who was at school and started orienteering as a Latin teacher there at the time, a games option - she had managed was one of the founder members of the GBR team at the 1976 World Scottish orienteering, and he started Champs in Scotland. A non-athletic the club. At the time we were the friend (many years later my best man) dominant schools club in Scotland; started orienteering, and kept trying to in my final year we won all but two persuade me to have a go. of the prizes at the Scottish Schools After the school club organised an Champs. event that I missed to play cricket, I Phil and Les Smithard were also relented and went round a Red course at Dunfermline High, and I think we at Broomley Fell (Northumberland) the are probably now the only active next week. My second event a week orienteers who date back to the old later was night-O on my local golf school club. In those days we had course. All this happened in the 1970s, black and white maps, and I ran which is a long, long time ago... in hockey boots (better grip than trainers). HILARY QUICK, BASOC: I used to run hills (Lake District in KATE HUNTER, ECKO: particular) with a group of guys who I My first experience was a baptism of couldn’t quite keep up with, so they’d fire; a SOL at Creag Mhic where our stop occasionally to let me catch up, friends needed help organising the but I did have a few scary moments string course with their small children when I realised I hadn’t a clue where I in tow. was - or indeed where they were. I turned up to help, with my 3 So I decided I needed to know how children. It had been raining for a to navigate, and orienteering was the week, the mud was knee deep, it took obvious option. The first course I did was me forever to get to the start and back Blue at Cademuir, near Peebles, aged 35. with my 2-year old, my 4-year old had to be carried round the course, my GRAEME ACKLAND, INT: 6-year-old loved it, the string course I signed up for OUOC at Freshers’ was a hit, the car had to be pushed Fair. The bus left at 8am on the first out of the muddy field and I was weekend of term and I woke up at hooked and wanting more. 10am with a hangover.

22 www.scottish-orienteering.org Three years later, Phil Conway (now SALLY LINDSAY, ESOC: GO) persuaded me I was too rubbish I first orienteered when I was a at running to be in the athletics club student, persuaded by friends to and should try something else. 5min/ join EUOC. My navigation was km on a CATI white course and I was OK, but I was too slow for much hooked. Two years of orienteering success, despite enthusiastic and following a Martin-Hyman- attendance at events (little has inspired training schedule; I made the changed!). blues team. In athletics! After leaving university, my lack of transport and contacts meant I LYNNE WALKER, BASOC: lost touch with orienteering for over I was at boarding school, hated 20 years, until one Saturday when Sundays as it meant 1 hour of bible a small advert caught my attention class, followed by 1 hour 15 minutes of - off we went to a local event in church - sitting for that length of time Princes Street Gardens, were then and being talked at did not suit me. encouraged by a series of friendly A teacher (Sarah Dunn’s aunt!) emails, and finally hooked by going started an orienteering club, and took to a league event. pupils to events on a Sunday; this was made for me. So at the age of 14, ROGER COOMBS, MAROC: I started a life-long hobby which has Mike Baldwin, a maths teacher at my taken me all over the world. school, and a member of what was then Reading OC, took my brother ANDY PATERSON, CLYDE: along to a couple of local events. I started in orienteering at secondary I tagged along with my Dad to one school in Dumfries. Our school at Hambledon Woods in 1972. My produced a few champions during the brother, after reaching the heights early 80s - I wasn’t one of them! Dave of a British University Champs Relay Robertson, the Colbecks, James win with Bangor, gave up after a few Powell, and Robert Cumming I seem more years but I continued. Regular to remember were all pretty decent lifts to events came by way of the orienteers. Watkins family in their Triumph 2000, It definitely felt like a handicap and I remember keenly waiting for at the time not having orienteering the event results to drop through parents. I had next to no coaching the letterbox sometime in the month - I don’t think I learned how to pace following. My first recollection of count until I was in my 30s - and some of my current orienteering all my events were attended in the contemporaries comes from 1973 school minibus. I can also remember when D. Petrie and G. McIntyre getting sore feet running round Mabie appeared in the results for M15. No Forest in a pair of metal studded mention of J. Tullie or M. Dean until football boots! 1974. Now 41 years on! www.scottish-orienteering.org 23 in praise of... Mountain Bike Orienteering by Jonathan Ellis (esoc)

If you are already and have a bike, it is time to get out and try Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO). If you are going to the Scottish 6 Days, the Tuesday ‘rest’ day has a short MTBO race, and there are regular races organised by the Scottish Mountain Bike Orienteering club (www.smbo.org.uk), or you can check out the British Mountain Bike Orienteering website (www.bmbo.org.uk).

splattering of controls in the valley, up on the hills around the Three Brethren cairns, and then some back down the other side of the Three Brethren in Yair Forest. As in foot orienteering, you get the map once you start, all marked with controls and points. The SMBO events use slightly modified OS maps, but there are specific MTBO maps at some

Picture: Haglöfs events. After a quick look, I Jonathan in action on the North York Moors decided to head up to the Three Brethren via a few controls first and TBO is basically the same to some singletrack (narrow trail) I Mas foot orienteering, with hadn’t ridden before. linear and score courses. This fortunately involved two Almost all SMBO events are score trips down through Yair Forest, but events, typically 3 hours long. The also unfortunately two trips up. I riding tends to be not too technical, found the singletrack harder than I but the beauty of the score events expected and walked some. Next is that you choose where to go, up was a trip from about 425m and can avoid or head to the back down to the valley at about gnarly sections, depending on 170m, which needless to say was your preferences. Apart from the good fun. stuff you would normally take on a The final part of my race was ride, it is a good idea to find some mainly following roads, with way to attach your map to your quick trips off the road to collect bike. You can buy special rotating checkpoints; a final dash into map boards (Miry / Nordenmark Selkirk to get a checkpoint (a / Mapdec tend to be the most bridge) proved slightly harder popular), but my first map board thanks to some roadworks. I was some correx (think for sale finished a couple of minutes sign…), cable ties and elastic. late and in 2nd place (about 20 The last event I went to was seconds faster would have got me based in Selkirk; there was a good first!). 24 www.scottish-orienteering.org junior news

There’s no formal news this time, but exciting times lie ahead, with Scottish juniors at international competitions.

cotJOS members are well southern Norway. The competition takes Srepresented in the Great place from 4 to 10 July. Britain team competing at the ScotJOS members selected: 2015 European Youth Orienteering • Sasha Chepelin (GRAMP/EUOC) - Middle Championships, in Cluj-Napoca, Distance, Long Distance, Relay ‘A’ Romania from 25 to 28 June. Andrew • Chris Galloway (INT/EUOC) - Sprint, Barr (MOR), Alex Carcas (INT), Thomas Long Distance, Relay ‘A’ Wilson (CLYDE), and Jennifer Ricketts Other EUOC members selected: (MAROC) were all selected. • Will Rigg (LOC/EUOC) – Middle Distance, Further details about the event are on Long Distance, Relay ‘B’ the EYOC 2015 website: http://eyoc2015. • Sarah Jones (LOC/EUOC) – Sprint, orienteering.ro/ Middle Distance, Relay ‘B’ Shortly afterwards, the Junior World See the JWOC 2015 website for more Orienteering Championships will be held details: http://www.jwoc2015.org/ in Rauland, Telemark, in the mountains of Good luck to all! veteran news

Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, Llynnoed Teifi

s Score went to press, the VHI The 2015 Veteran Home Internationals Aselections were not yet finalised, will take place on 3/4 October 2015 in but no doubt will have been mid Wales, at Llynnoedd Teifi (Teifi Pools), announced by the time you read this! near Tregaron. The Individual event will See the SOA website for full details: be on Saturday, in conjunction with the http://www.scottish-orienteering.org/soa/ Welsh Championships, and the Relays on category/veterans Sunday. This area was used for Days 4 and There’ll be more Veterans news in the 5 of Croeso 2012 – here’s a photo of some next issue of SCORE. typical terrain. www.scottish-orienteering.org 25 elite news by james tullie (BasOc)

ur elite athletes Thanks to many other Notes from Hollie have been very good runs, we got a total of O and Scott on their busy since the last 13 runners picked for World SCORE! We had a very Cup Round 2 - very exciting. preparations for successful trip to Portugal, They are: Scott Fraser, where Alasdair McLeod Doug Tullie, Hollie Orr, Jess WOC 2015: was probably star of the Tullie, Ewan McCarthy, Jo show, with some very Shepherd, Kirstin Maxwell, strong runs, and earned Chris Galloway, James Tullie, himself a write-up in the Hector Haines, Alasdair Portuguese Orienteering McLeod, Murray Strain and Blog. Claire Ward.

Several runners then went Since the JK, Jess Tullie out to Spain for some more has become British Long World Ranking Events, and and Middle Champion, with the Scottish men packed out James Tullie winning the the top of the podium. British Middle, and Murray Strain winning the British We tuned up with a couple Sprint. of SOLs, before things got more serious at the JK. We had strong These were the first set representation at Tiomila, of selection races for the with a highlight being Doug World Champs, with the Tullie running a 3rd quickest possibility of pre-selection for leg time and Scott Fraser exceptional performances, bringing their Finnish club but most people gunning home 7th. ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, Race the Castles, for June World Cup places. Stirling, October 2014 There were some very strong By the time you receive runs from Scott Fraser (joint this, the World Cup races Hollie Orr: 1st in the Sprint) and Hollie may be over, and with a bit of “I had been thinking for a Orr (2nd in the Middle), who luck we will have some more long time, after last year’s both earned themselves Scottish runners in the World WOC, about how to improve selection for WOC. They Champs team, and if not and what needed to change: were joined by Stirling-based confirmed, well in the mix. my conclusion, life. Although Graham Gristwood in the I enjoyed working, there were Long and Uppsala-based Cat It’s shaping up to be a very too many variables I had no Taylor, also in the Long. exciting summer. control over.

26 www.scottish-orienteering.org However, I was conscious failure, so you can expect hold a good level of focus for of not doing anything too me to be right up there, or a long period of the season. maverick in the lead-up to a right down there. I have So it is better for me to skip home WOC, so having spent had some good feedback the early season quality 9 months in Halden in 2011, recently by winning the JK technique sessions, and save it seemed the logical choice; Sprint (together with Matthias them for the tune-up period an environment I knew and Kyburz) and running a 29:57 which will be end of June and could quickly settle into. for the 10km. The plan is to in July. keep on, without getting too The setup is very excited. Most of the work has I am also preparing to run professional, with forest already been done now, so in the forest. Let’s see! trainings at least twice a the next two months will be week; good to get those used to sharpen up; both leg I have a feeling it is going forest legs toned. Aside from speed and sprint orienteering to be a great WOC; both for that, there is a really good technique. our athletes and Scottish group with common goals to Orienteering in general! I am train with, bounce ideas off I have avoided doing much certainly going to enjoy the and pit yourself against. sprint technique recently, due experience of running a WOC to the fact that I usually can’t in Scotland.” Though it still pains me to pay £2 for a litre of milk! So I will spend the final months of preparation back in the homeland.”

Scott Fraser: “My preparations for WOC are coming along nicely. The focus is on winning the Sprint (well, I already have silver!) and I’m trying to use all my learning from the last 15 years to implement a gold-winning performance. For me, this is arriving in the best possible physical shape with a mindset

of ‘going for it’. Picture: David Rollins, BAOC WOC Relay 2010. Running the last leg for GBR and finishing 4th. Hoping to go at least 1 There will be no fear of better in August! www.scottish-orienteering.org 27 woc 2015 news

by stuart crowther Communications Officer, WOC2015

wareness of orienteering were already well aware of its Ain the Scottish Highlands importance – it is a major sporting was taken to new levels, event being recognised by just about thanks largely to the hugely everyone, an event that is building successful Scottish 6 Days an element of excitement previously hosted by Moray two years witnessed only through such as the ago. It is often said these days Commonwealth Games and the that it is not so much the major Ryder Cup. The numbers alone are sporting event that leaves enough to spark the imagination its mark on the people of a – when you tell a Scottish football particular country or region, but fan, used to sitting in crowds of 600 rather the long-term legacy that or so, for well publicised league it leaves behind. games, that ten times and more That is certainly true in Moray, their number will take part in the as the 6-Days sparked ‘WOC2015 World Orienteering Championships and Beyond’, the initiative aimed at and Scottish Six Days, it does tend taking map reading skills back into to grasp their attention. When you schools – providing a legacy that is then show them the video footage now being admired and soon to be of previous World Championships copied throughout the Highlands and and all the excitement that goes with beyond. it – well, then it becomes something that people just want to be a part of. For the organising committee of WOC 2015, we are now in the crucial stage – at the time of writing, barely ten weeks from the championships. These will be a hectic ten weeks, but all the talk, all the planning will come together and match the hopes and aspirations of the athletes themselves. Hectic weeks for the organising committee – and not least Linda Cairns, who is bringing together the

Picture: Stuart Crowther 700 volunteers required to make the event go smoothly. Linda said: ‘WOC2015 and Beyond’ Now WOC 2015 is no longer just “A World Championships is not like takes map reading back to schools a phrase being bandied around any other multi-day event we see by enthusiasts of the sport, who in the UK. A World Championships

28 www.scottish-orienteering.org involves TV and GPS tracking, big screens for spectators, the athletes are quarantined, bussed to the starts, and anti-dope tested after the finish, and there is a big media presence. “So an event like this needs a few more volunteers than normal. And, of course, many of the event Picture: Stuart Crowther team are also running in the 6-Days in the Highlands, but throughout the , the UK and far beyond. Live television Swiss star who is one and needing to share shifts. We are of the favourites at WOC currently expecting to have more coverage of WOC 2015 will be 2015. than 700 people helping deliver beamed over several countries, WOC 2015. We still have spaces and that will provide a fantastic for local people to be Sprint Control boost, not just for the sport but for Marshals – information is on the the Highlands – and we are already WOC 2015 website. So please tell witnessing a fantastic growth in your friends, work colleagues and interest in our sport at grassroots anyone who lives around the WOC level, that we expect will form the 2015 locations. This is a great job, basis of a legacy well into the future. sitting watching a control in the heart “This was witnessed by other of the action. nations who have hosted the World “We are recruiting young people, Championships in the past, many aged 16 and over, as TV riggers. And of whom have benefited by seeing we need a few more locals who can greater participation in orienteering, be minibus drivers or navigators. as well as a growth in the number Apart from this, all key roles are filled, and quality of athletes who have and we are very pleased that our come through into their respective event team is made up of orienteers international teams. from all over the UK, teams from “WOC 2015 has been a massive local companies like SSE, former undertaking for everyone involved Commonwealth Games volunteers, in the organisation – but we are all and many local people.” convinced that this will be one of the Leading the drive towards the most successful championships ever championships is WOC 2015 held, with benefits for UK orienteering Event Director Paul McGreal, who for many years to come.” added: “Media interest in the For further information about championships has intensified, and volunteering, see: http://www. with that comes a much greater woc2015.org/volunteers/ awareness of orienteering, not just opportunities www.scottish-orienteering.org 29 highland 2015 news

by Richard Oxlade (GRAMP) S6D 2015 Event Co-ordinator Less than 10 weeks away, and counting…

s I write this, the BOF looked stunning in the sunshine, Awebsite is ticking and showed that we are offering a down towards August fantastic mix of areas this summer - apparently there’s only 71 for competitors, spectators and days, 19 hours, 10 minutes guests. and 11 seconds to go to the But most of you probably biggest orienteering event know that already, and are more in this country in 16 years. interested in how things are Together with WOC, this is a coming along. Thanks to many massive event. A budget well in of you who have been putting in excess of £1 million supported countless hours and days already, by generous donations from I think we are well on track. We EventScotland and Highland have had the inevitable bumps in & Moray Councils, 9 days the road - changes at Keppernach of continuous competitions, (now renamed Achagour), minor approximately 1,500 mapping updates that have volunteers, over 45,000 maps… changed the schedule, a surprise the list goes on. Mumford & Sons rock concert that Last week, I visited Strathfarrar has attracted potential caterers and Glen Affric with Colin (and toilets!). But everyone has Matheson, for a meeting with the taken these in their stride. Planners Royal Engineers, who are providing and controllers are a Who’s Who indispensable support to the event of Scottish Orienteering, so our - building bridges and improving competitors can expect some access. It was a salutary reminder great courses on literally world of how much work is required to class terrain. Not to mention the put on Highland 2015. Strathfarrar opportunity to watch the best orienteers in action in the same forests. Entries appear to be exceeding expectations - over 4500 entries so far, up 50% on Moray 2013 and on track to exceed 5000. Nearly 2100 entries to date are from overseas, with Sweden topping the charts at 541, followed by Switzerland with 348 and Norway with 209. Travelling from furthest afield are Picture: Colin Matheson, MOR Strathfarrar terrain 30 competitors from New Zealand, 30 www.scottish-orienteering.org Picture: Colin Matheson, MOR

while we have 5 entries from New programme at the two venues. Eden Court, the Event Caledonia in the South Pacific. Please support this. Events will Centre venue This is good news (not least for include whisky tasting (courtesy the budget), but is bringing its of Benromach), a talk by the challenges. We have decided to NTS, a ceilidh, two great Scottish increase the length of the start films at Eden Court (“Brave” and blocks, by 5 minutes each, and “What We Did On Our Holiday”), Colin has turned his attention to the traditional quiz night, and a back-up parking. band on the Friday night - good As usual, the extra activities preparation for a tough final day at are an essential part of the week. Affric! We have been very lucky to Anne Hickling has been pulling secure Eden Court in the centre together a number of activities into of Inverness for the Event Centre. the Highland O-Fest (on Tuesday Registration will be there on 4 August), which is designed to Saturday, and we are hoping that complement spectating at the WOC competitors will make the most of Middle Distance Race at Darnaway. the venue. Claire Wardrop at Eden Putting on something like this is Court is being extremely helpful, always nerve-wracking, as it’s out and in addition to their existing of the ordinary - will people turn up; café, they are planning to put on a how much should we charge; will BBQ outside at the front, and will it get good feedback? Hopefully allow the traders to occupy the we’ve got the balance right, and open balcony areas. Eden Court hopefully you’ll support it. is just a few hundred metres down As ever, we can’t control the the River Ness from Bught Park, weather - but if you’re the slightest where we will have the campsite bit superstitious, keep your fingers and a marquee with bar. Joan crossed. See you in August, if not Noble is compiling a great social before.

www.scottish-orienteering.org 31 event preview

y the time this issue reaches Byou, the FVO/TAY Schiehallion Weekend, on 19-21 June, will be about to happen. This promises to be an excellent weekend in classic Scottish terrain. After that, the fixture list has plenty of local events throughout Scotland. Many will be heading off to foreign parts for multi-day events in the summer holidays, but as everyone should know by now, the Picture: Colin Matheson, MOR biggest excitement of the summer will be Achagour terrain centred on Inverness. There’s a treat in store Now in its 17th year, this event has grown at the Scottish 6 Days: from a humble 8 entries, back in 1999, to over 100 orienteers descending on our • Day 1, Achagour – varied area including Dear Green Place. Past winners of the Open rough open and marsh, birch forest and Men’s Class include Murray Strain and Scots pine; Scott Fraser, and Hollie Orr has secured the • Day 2, Strathfarrar – a beautiful glen with Women’s Class on a few occasions. rough, tough and technical orienteering; Having the crème is nice, but this is an • Days 3 & 4, Darnaway – rolling terrain experience for all, as competition is fierce above the River Findhorn, with some and fun within all the different categories superb areas of mature runnable beech - Open, Vet, Super Vet, and Ultra Vet, all split forest and open pinewood; Male/Female. There are also Classes for • Days 5 & 6, Glen Affric – a National Juniors (under 16s) and Social participants. Nature Reserve, with a mix of pine, birch So after your exploits at WOC or Highland and oak trees, rich in wildlife, and with 2015, why not join similarly-minded people very few paths or tracks. on a -stop tour of 3 of STAG’s mapped areas? The orienteering is fairly There are two Sprint races as well, straightforward, but the racing and the social and the Rest Day offers a wealth of other aspects enhance the appeal of our superb activities. There’s still time to enter, if you sport. As for the locations, well the first haven’t already! For more details, see the venue is named at 10pm on the Thursday 6-Days website: http://www.scottish6days. night before, and the other two venues com/2015 revealed on the actual day. We look forward Soon afterwards, it will be time for the to welcoming you from near and far.” Glasgow Parks Championships event, to be held in the summer this year. Terry O’Brien Just one week later is another eagerly- (STAG) reports: anticipated feature of the Autumn calendar, “Sunday 30 August 2015 sees the hosting the Highland WOLF weekend, including of the wonderful and brilliant Glasgow Parks SOUL 6 and SOL 7 – see the next article for Championships, aka 3 Parks in One Day. more details. 32 www.scottish-orienteering.org HIGHLAND WOLF PREVIEW

by Lynne Walker (Basoc) Weekend coordinator Badenoch & Strathspey Orienteering Club present the Highland WOLF weekend on September 5/6; this will be the third Weekend of Orienteering in Lovely Forests. Lynne tells us more about what to expect:

Four ‘events’ in two days; this Loch Vaa terrain makes a trip to Strathspey really worthwhile! Details for this weekend are currently being finalised. Entries will soon be open on Oentries. The outline is below:

SATURDAY – late morning to early afternoon Middle Distance race, Anagach ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, and Heathfield. Courses available will central point, there will be fast and be Brown, Blue, Green, Short Green, furious racing around the streets and Orange and Yellow. Car parking, adjacent woodland. toilets and assembly will all be on the SATURDAY – evening flat field opposite Grantown Grammar Ceilidh in Grantown (details to be School, adjacent to the B9120. confirmed). The competition area map is being SUNDAY – morning updated. Compass Point SOL 7, Loch Vaa SATURDAY – late afternoon North. Courses available will range bto SOUL5 Urban Sprint race, from Black through to White. Desher Grantown-on-Spey. Leave your Primary School, near Boat of Garten, vehicle at the Middle Distance is the event centre. This area was Cairngorms from parking area and make your way to remapped during Spring 2015. Strathspey The Square in Grantown. From this The planning and controlling team are hard at work to ensure the best possible use of the areas. Come along to the final SOL of 2015, and also enjoy the other events being held in Grantown that weekend.

See the BASOC website for more details: http://www.basoc.org.uk/ highland-wolf-2015 Picture: Crawford Lindsay, ESOC Picture: Crawford Lindsay, www.scottish-orienteering.org 33 Member benefits

This page provides our members with useful services and products provided by like- minded people - with the added bonus of discounted rates! If you have a product or service you’d like to feature on this page, please email your details to [email protected]

NATIONAL STADIUM Scottish Orienteering PERTH SPORTS INJURY CLINIC partner organisations CHARTERED Hampden Park, Glasgow ACE PHYSIOTHERAPY PHYSIOTHERAPY (Motherwell / East Kilbride) AND www.sportsmedicinecentre.org SPORTS INJURY www.acephysiotherapy.co.uk Tel: 0141 616 6161 CLINIC Tel: 01698 264450 £6 discount on physiotherapy www.perthphysio.co.uk sessions (£32 instead of £38) Corporate rate Tel: 01738 626707 and 10% off all Health and (currently £25 per session) fitness packages. applies. Rates on application. Quote Scottish Orienteering Quote Scottish Orienteering Quote Scottish Orienteering Association member when booking. Association member when booking. Association member when booking.

FUTURE FOCUS TISO SCOTLAND LTD OBAN Outdoor shops with branches SEA SCHOOL www.futurefocusscotland.co.uk throughout Scotland. West Coast family sailing Tel: 01738 827797 www.tiso.com holidays from Oban, Argyll Business Mentoring and Free Outdoor Experience card Varied itineraries, suit children Coaching in Scotland and on application at any Tiso store, 8+. A natural adventure. around the UK including HR using BOF membership card as Coaching and HR Services See www.obanseaschool.co.uk proof of SOA membership. The for ideas, photos, information. Discount: 10% for SOA card provides 10% discount on members. Quote Scottish Contact Robert or Fiona Kincaid purchases at Tiso. Orienteering Association Tel: 01631 562013 Quote Scottish Orienteering member when contacting Association member when booking.

MAS FERGUSSON LAW mediartstudio Private Client Solicitors COMPLETE DESIGN SERVICE From logos and flyers SHOWCASE Tel: 0131 447 0633 to websites and brochures, YOUR BUSINESS www.fergussonlaw.com MAS can help with all your marketing needs. All services offered at fixed HERE FOR prices. 5% discount to SOA Contact members. Ask for Janice Nisbet [email protected] (ESOC) when contacting. for a no obligation quote. www.mediartstudio.co.uk FREE!! Quote Scottish Orienteering Association member when booking. Quote Scottish Orienteering Association member when booking. Classic Forest Orienteering in Scotland

All races Sundays except 20 June. Starts: 10:30 am onwards. Compass Point Full range of colour-coded courses, from string courses for under-5s to 10km+ Scottish Orienteering League Black courses for Elite orienteers 2015 - provisional dates (with Middle Distance at SOL3 and 5). www.scottish-orienteering.org/sol 4 SOL 1 08.03.15 Gullane Dunes, East Lothian INT www.compasspoint-online.co.uk 4 SOL 2 22.03.15 Bonskeid Estate, Pitlochry ESOC/STAG 4 SOL 3 12.04.15 Mark Hill, Dumfries SOLWAY 4 SOL 4 03.05.15 Glen Dye, Banchory GRAMP 4 SOL 5 20.06.15 Tullochcroisk FVO 4 SOL 6 21.06.15 Dunalastair TAY 4 SOL 7 06.09.15 Loch Vaa, Aviemore BASOC

Quality Urban Orienteering in Scotland

Courses from under-12 to Ultravet Scottish Check website for full details Orienteering Urban League 2015 - provisional dates 4 SOUL 1 31.01.15 Riccarton ESOC 4 SOUL 2 14.02.15 Erskine CLYDE www.scottish-orienteering.org/soul 4 SOUL 3 02.05.15 Aboyne MAROC 4 SOUL 4 19.06.15 South Stirling FVO 4 SOUL 5 04.08.15 Forres S6D 4 SOUL 6 05.09.15 Grantown on Spey BASOC 4 SOUL 7 27.09.15 Jedburgh RR 4 SOUL 8 01.11.15 Cumbernauld STAG -07&8*-% 1-"$&4

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