JK Sprint - Steel City Striders
The 2025 Jan Kjellstrom International Festival of Orienteering got underway in Yorkshire, with the Sprint in Sheffield City Centre, and there were seven FVO athletes on the podiums, including a three-time champ and one who is new to the limelight at this level.
Alison Cunningham secured her 3rd straight JK Sprint title in W60, coming home nearly a minute (11.31) ahead of Switzerland's Coni Mueller (an old friend of the club). James Hammond had the final start in M20E, but did what had to be done, going to the front on the 16th control, and returning in 16.17 to book his summer trip to JWOC.
Sophie Edward was in only her 2nd JK, but rocketed round in W12 to take the title in 10.34, for her first major event win, with the fastest split on nine of the 18 legs
Peter Molloy was the #2 seed in an M21E field that had more than 150 starters, and worked hard round what he rated to be the toughest sprint course he's done in the UK to defend his ranking with the silver medal (15.17). Liz Godfree's sprint form needs no introduction, with multiple World Masters medals on her record, and she took the W75 silver today in 14.19.
Like Liz, Rachel Kirkland has a preference for the Sprint discipline, and a fine bronze in 14.08 is her 3rd JK Sprint medal in four years, while Will Hensman has no particular race favourite, excelling across the distances, and he was 3rd (16.57) on the day, for his 6th medal in 10 years at the JK Sprint.
Also worthy of mention is Pierre Lardet, who had a share of 1st place in Men's Open (17.20), his best JK result since he was 10.
Nothwithstanding the eight race debutants, there are another 10 FVO athletes who recorded their best run at the JK Sprint, including Ethan, Lucas and Scott Baikie (with Lucas just two seconds outside the medals), Dave Coustick, James Edward, Esme Finch, Geoffrey Hensman, Clare Martin, Alexander Hunt and Kate Kilpatrick.