Clean sweep

Last weekend saw a double whammy of events in the south west with a QOFL at North Quantock and a South West League event in Lanhydrock organised by KERNO. The weather and terrain being a true test of orienteering grit, with the Quantocks providing both hills, mist and cold while those braving the journey to Lanhydrock on the Sunday got rewarded with plus 7 degrees (45 in old money) and glorious blue skies, still with plenty of hill though.

Flying the flag for Quantock Orienteers in Cornwall was Richard Sansbury, Brian Fletcher, Matthew Knipe, Tony Hext, Adele Appleby, Finley, Dylan and Mark Goddard. All achieved some superb results showing QO’s ability to ‘punch above its weight’. Dylan achieving a solid 1st place on Orange, Adele and Tony securing 9th and 3rd respectively on the short green, with Matthew, Brian and Finley taking home 21st, 5th and 1st respectively on blue. On brown Richard and Mark put in an impressive 7th and 4th place. Given the standard of competition in the field these results were to be proud of with QO in the top 3 of 3 courses.

Having secured 1st on blue and orange at the QOFL on Saturday as well this marked a very successful weekend for the Goddard boys, Finley and Dylan. Having progressed from their grounding as part of the club JOG training it is a testament to the benefit of this early skills development. Hopefully we will see more stars rising into regional squads and beyond.