Grace at 6 Days

Nearly 100 orienteers competed in the 2016 FVO Club Championships, at Mine Woods, Bridge of Allan, and there were a string of fine performances to round off a successful season for local athletes.

Will Hensman won the Men's title for the fifth time in 62.09 for the 6.875km course, holding off Lewis Taylor and Peter Meehan. Lewis was faster on the early stage of the course, but an error at the fifth control proved a major setback to his hopes, and he finished ten minutes down on Will.

Grace Molloy produced a stunning run to claim the Women's crown, beating former Russian international Anastasia Trubkina into second place to become the youngest-ever winner of an FVo open title, in 55.54. Anastasia was only 16 seconds down at the two-thirds mark, but faded as Grace ran on, Third place went to Abi Longhurst, in her first race since March.

The veteran Men's title was billed pre-race as the most competitive of all, with no fewer than 19 athletes lining up. Roger Goddard was bidding for a hat-trick of wins, but had to settle for 2nd place this time as Scottish champion David Godfree led from start to finish, winning in a time of 50.00. Roger was some three minutes back, with Jason Inman claiming third place in 57.13.

Defending champion Hazel Dean laid down an early marker in the Veteran Women's class with a time of 49.19, only for a strong finish from Rona Molloy to snatch the win. Rona's time of 46.36 brought her sixth win in the class, which she first won in 2008. Kathleen Inch was 3rd in 51.07.

Gareth Bryan-Jones' 13 month absence from competitive orienteering showed not at all as he secured the Super Veteran Men's trophy in a time of 49.25, ahead of Geoffrey Hensman (55.33) and Ted Finch (58.30). Lindsey Hensman enjoyed the biggest winning margin of the day, retaining the Super Veteran Women's title by over 40 minutes (60.07), ahead of Val Finch (101.57) and Jan-Bryan Jones (111.31) in tricky underfoot conditions.

There were no runners in the Senior Girls championship, although mention must be made of Lizzie Stansfield, who ran up two classes to finish as the fourth female athlete on the Green course. The Senior Boys title went to Peter Molloy, running up, who was quickest over the entire Green course to take the victory in 36.41, ahead of Ben Parkinson (48.47).

Jamie Goddard successfully retained his Junior Boys title in 28.20, ahead of Stanley Flint (30.53) and Ben Polwart (94.04), while Lucy Hensman was victorious in the Junior Girls category. Finally, the Young Junior class was enhanced by no fewer than 12 walkup entries, many of which were from first-time orienteers. James Hammond sped to victory in 16.08, and Kirsty Flint won the Young Junior Girls championship in 34.23.

Full results of the 2016 FVO Club Championships (including a very competitive string course) are now on the "results" page here