FVO Flies in Fife

by Steven Scott — 16th April 2019.

Jason Inman, Scottish Six Days 4, Creag Choinnich (c) Wendy Carlyle Jason Inman, Scottish Six Days 4, Creag Choinnich (c) Wendy Carlyle

Jason Inman pounced at the death to take a dramatic victory at the Scottish Orienteering League Long race at Falkland.

Grace Molloy led by 12 seconds going into the last control, but Jason picked up 23 seconds on the leg, and despite a dramatic fightback from Grace, held on for the win, in a time of 59.50. Grace was 2nd (59.55), and FVO athletes blocked out the top four places in the class, with Ben Stansfield 3nd (60.56), and Jon Cross 4th (61.06).

Jason's win was one of four for FVO on the final day of the Scottish Spring meet in Fife, which was organised by the Scotland national junior team. Graham Gristwood enjoyed a near eight minute winning margin to take top place in the Blue class (39.44), and James Hammond won the Light Green category (21.15) to extend his lead at the head of the division. Hannah Inman won the White class by over five minutes (12.31) and Hanna Brindley was prominent in the Yellow class, finishing 2nd (19.42) and scoring eight of the ten best splits of the day.

The first day of action saw two races, a Middle distance at Tentstmuir and a Sprint at Falkland Palace. Graham Gristwood topped a field of 69 quality athletes to win the Brown course in the middle event. GG's time of 23.39 was 23 seconds up on EUOC's Jonny Crickmore with another Edinburgh athlete, Alex Carcas a further seven seconds behind.

Ben Stansfield won the Veteran Mens class with 5th place overall on Blue (26.31) beaten only by three "Elite" women and a cheeky M16, while there was an FVO 1-2-3 in Veteran Women, with Beccy Osborn back in 35.26, eight seconds ahead of Josie Stansfield (35.34) and Jen Leonard nine seconds back in 3rd (35.45). The final win of the meet stage went to Eilidh Connor, who was 1st W10 and 4th overall on the White course (22.39)

The evening Sprint brought more success, particularly in the Veteran Mens class. Will Hensman won the class in 16.59, ahead of Roger Goddard (17.27), with FVO filling five of the top six places, through Mark Johnston (4th in 18.30), Ben Stansfield (5th in 18.49) and Jon Cross (6th in 18.58).

Fanni Gyurkó, fresh from her outstanding 2nd place in last week's Manchester Marathon, was 3rd in Open Women (18.19), as was Beccy Osborn in Veteran Women (19.44). Fiona Hendrie (SuperVet Women - 14.36) and Jamie Goddard (Junior Men - 10.34) went one better, with 2nd place finishes in their class, while Jamie Connor scored the final medal of the day, with 3rd place in a quick Young Junior Mens race, finishing in 6.29. .

Related posts

Filed under:  News