JK Middle - Tank(ersley) Commanders
The juniors led the way, as FVO finished the Middle day at the Jan Kjellstrom International Festival of Orienteering with ten medals, including three titles at Tankersley Wood, north of Sheffield.
Tankersley has been a happy hunting ground for the club in previous years, as we won the Compass Sport Cup there a few years ago, and the heavily-indented area (result of wartime bombing) was once again right on the money.
Sophie Edward is walking on air today, as she backed up yesterday's Sprint gold with another podium-topping performance, as she was back in 29.33 in W12 off an early start. She's one of seven women and girls still in the hunt for the overall JK MVP award.
There was not one but two medals in M14, as Lucas Baikie was quick and strong for the win in 26.31, and James Edward ensured that Sophie doesn't get all the family glory for the day as he claimed the bronze medal (28.49).
The third title of the day for FVO went to Andy Llewellyn, his third in four years in M35 (having missed last year), in a time of 37.50.
Alison Cunningham was once again amongst the honours, as she and Coni Mueller swapped places from the Sprint, with Alison 2nd in 34.26, and Emma Cheyne had her first major medal, with silver in W10 (23.42).
The stars were on show in the elite classes, and Grace Molloy took the W21E silver in 30.59, right on her pre-race ranking, while Graham Gristwood clearly loves the JK, and a silver today (33.22) in M21E is his 13th medal in this discipline alone.
Ben Stansfield was back on familiar terrain, having grown up in Yorkshire, and a fine bronze in M55 (37.41) is his first JK medal in 11 years, since winning the Middle race in 2014.
Liz Godfree is another who revels in the big-race atmosphere, and W75 bronze is (at least) her 10th JK middle prize, with a time of 31.16.
There were also Short course wins for Brad Connor (M55) and Rona Molloy (W55), Pierre Lardet was 2nd in M21L, and Jack Cheyne helped himself to the M45 bronze.