Peter at start

A large FVO contingent was in the Lake District, for the Spring Weekend, with events organised by Lakeland Orienteers and South Ribble, and there was success on all fronts. Perhaps the most important of these were the GB junior selection races for the European Youth Championships in Belarus and the Junior World Championships in Denmark, and the FVO youngsters were well up there in their bids for selection.

Pete Molloy missed the sprint selection race at Lancaster due to other commitments, but bounced back in style to win the middle distance race at Ribbledale in 24.56. In an error-free run, Pete was never outside the top two places throughout, taking the lead with six to go and running on for the victory.

Grace Molloy won the W20 sprint in 13.24, ahead of European Youth champion Megan Keith, and was then 2nd in the middle distance race the following day, six seconds off the winning mark in a time of 26.37. Lizzie Stansfield was 5th in the sprint (15.44) then 4th in a fast-paced middle (30.58), as Scottish athletes filled out the top five spots on each occasion, while Jamie Goddard was 12th in the sprint (16.58) and then 14th in the M16 middle race (32.04).

At the Cumbrian Gallopen, Jason Inman was 3rd overall on the Brown course, finishing in 37.18, and trailing only local legend Steve Birkinshaw and GB star Megan Carter-Davis. Janine Inman got better and better as her Blue course run developed, and ended up 5th, and 2nd woman, with a finishing time of 38.07

Hannah Inman, meanwhile, took a big step up in class to win the Yellow course in 17.05, and James Hammond secured the top place in Light Green (29.34), despite a costly error two from home. The final podium place of the day went to Rebecca Hammond on the Orange course, as her time of 32.34 included four "fastest leg" splits, including the run-in.

Sunday's Red Rose Classic brought more success, and Matthew Inman was most impressive as he stormed out a 8 1/2 minute margin to win M10A (21.03), one of five classes won on the day by FVO athletes. Ben Stansfield was top dog in M50L(49.23), and Martin Dean was back in style, winning M60L in 41.36.

Rona Molloy continued her fine recent vein of form by taking the honours in W50L (45.50) and Lindsey Hensman made it five FVO athletes on the top step, by winning W70L in 56.43, There were 2nd place finishes for James Hammond (M14A in 25.22), Will Hensman (M40L in 59.56), Jason Inman (M45L in 52.59) and Jenny Hammond (W40S in 98.59), while Katie Hensman (W12A - 44.25) and Janine Inman (W40L - 51.08), were both 3rd.

Closer to home, there were two events in Fife, as Masterplan Adventure staged a Sprint race in Culross, Fife, which was planned by Jon Cross, and the following day, there was the KFO Urban race in Dunfermline.

Graham Gristwood made a rare sprint appearance in Culross, and won the Long course by 3 1/2 minutes, in 16.13. Laura Hindle was 1st woman, in 23.29, and on the short course, Rona Molloy was 2nd to Kirstin Maxwell, in a time of 17.57.

Graham Gristwood had a 14 1/2 minute winning margin at Dunfermline to take victory in the Open Mens division (35.48) and Laura Hindle was a narrow 2nd in Open Women (46.46). There were FVO 1-2's in both Veteran classes, as Jon Cross put away his organiser's clipboard and returned to action scoring a super-narrow seven second victory (38.31) over Chad Harrison (38.38). In the Veteran Womens division, Cathy Tilbrook had the win (43.10) with Beccy Osborn 2nd (44.29).

Jamie Connor led from gun to tape, with 14 quickest splits from 17 legs to win the Young Junior race in 12.30. and Fiona Hendrie was 3rd in SuperVet women (34.37).

There were several athletes competing outside their normal age class, and in the Open races, Ian Hendrie was 1st in Open 5 (51.16), as were Ethan and Sara Harrison in Open 7 (44.01). In Open 3 there was an FVO 1-2-3, as Pierre Lardet won the sub-class in 33.49, ahead of Stanley Flint (40.52), with Rachel Hendrie 3rd (46.26).