FVO's senior men defended their JK Relay title

A fistful of relay medals concluded a very successful Jan Kjellström International Festival of Orienteering for FVO on a somewhat soggy day at Bigland.

Team captain Jon Cross took the bold decision to break up the winning Senior Mens team from the recent British Championships, and new boy Andy Llewellyn didn't disappoint on his Senior debut, as he posted the quickest split on the opening leg (30.54) to bring the team home in the lead. Roger Goddard and Will Hensman were left with the simple task of keeping the lead, and both were fast in the execution to maintain the top spot by seven minutes (97.18) by the end.

FVO Flyers were looking to get back on top of the podium, but were dealt a pre-race blow as Graham Gristwood reported unfit, and Alasdair McLeod was brought up from the 2nd team to replace him. The team remained tight to the front of the race throughout, and turned around for the closer in silver medal position behind EUOC. As the students tied up, FVO moved to the front, only for Interlopers to make a strong move on the rails and leave our boys in the silver medal position again(81.58).

The Intermediate Women were set a stern task of chasing down a strong-looking SYO team which raced away for a six minute victory, but they held firm when it mattered to repel Moravian and Fredrikstad Skiklubb and take silver in 76.20.

FVO hasn't had much success in the oldest age classes, but a strong UltraVet team, which just made the minimum age class for the competition, was assembled, with quiet hopes of success. The team was back in 12th after the opening leg, but Vicky Thornton's marvellous 21.17 on the middle leg put them in the lead. Alison Cunningham was chased down hard by M60 champion Clive Hallett, who put BOK back in the lead, but repelled the challenge of Happy Herts for the silver in 88.34.

A fifth medal came for the Veteran Womens team of Heather Fellbaum, Louise Longhurst and Cathy Tilbrook, who picked up the bronze in their class in 90.15.

There were chances for more medals in Senior Men and Senior Women, but the FVO challenge came up just short, with a 5th and a 4th place.