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The Junior Inter-Regional Championships

SW Junior Squad 2024

SW Junior Squad 2024

Published: Thu 3 Oct 2024

QO junior Finley Goddard Shines at Junior Inter-Regional Championships, joining the South West Junior Orienteering Squad to Relay Victory!

The Junior Inter-regional Championships took place the 28th and 29th September at Mallards pike and Lyncombe wood. All 12 UK junior squads were represented for the weekend with fun and games in the evening of the 28th. From QO Finley Goddard was privileged to be selected as a member of the South West Junior Orienteering Squad (SWJOS).

A nice clean run on day one gave Finley a podium spot in third for the individual’s competition, beating most of the leading M14’s across the UK. The race provided some nail biting action as the times being set by the M14 elite who were slightly longer than expected, the clear exception being Jamie Osborne who set a blistering sub 30 minute time on the course. This eventually gave him 1st place. Finley who had a relatively late start time kept the SWJOS team in suspense as dad Mark was counting down the seconds watching for Finley to pop round the corner and come down the run in. 30 minutes passed so 1st was no longer an option, then he appeared, 2nd was in range. Finley opened up all he had for the sprint finish, hurdling a fallen tree and leaping over the ditch. Hot on his heals was Henrik Borrowman of Scotland, although he couldn't real Finley in on the run in he had gained enough over the course to steal 2nd. A stellar effort and great to see SWJOS and more importantly QO punching high in the results.

Following some much needed dinner, squad debrief and a good night's sleep (ish), day two presented the relays. With the SWJOS teams finalised the night before, Finley (M14) joined Marcus Perry (M16) and Ben Perry (M18) to form a formidable trio. Leg 1 saw Marcus put the team in 5th with only seconds separating the leaders. Leg 2 saw the times spread apart with Finley dispensing the course with speed and skill to put the trio in 3rd. The last leg was now down to Ben, another nail biting period passed as all eyes were on the run in to see which teams runner would appear first. To great cheers the distinctive SWJOS top of Ben came over the hill with nobody else in sight. Marcus and Finley joined Ben for the run in and crossed the finish line together securing first place. With Scotland and Yorkshire the firm favourites this was indeed a result. The event made for a great spectator event full of surprises.

To see the junior squad interacting and conduct themselves in such a professional manner was amazing. Pete Maliphant and Dave Hansell have established a squad which is second to none in attitude and consistency of performance. Overall SWJOS came 3rd once the combined points had been counted. A very impressive outcome when pitted against Scotish and Yorkshire elite.

Finley first started orienteering as part of the JOG series and has progressed to achieve great results at a national level. All we need to do now is keep JOG generating the next generation and hopefully we will see more of QO on the national podiums. For more information about Finley’s runs, see his blog on the QO Chat site.

Roger Craddock, edited from a report from Mark Goddard