Out with the Old - In with the New
Forth Valley Orienteers saw out the old year and brought in the new in spectacular fashion with a string of top performances over the festive period.
The very final orienteering of 2025 was to be had around Loch Ard, with the fifth staging of the Christmas Cup, and nearly half the FVO entrants enjoyed top 20 finishes on the Long day.
Three and easy for Hannah Inman on Green, as she collected a hat-trick of course wins over the three days, coming back in 43.38 for the overall title. Jack Cheyne was 3rd (50.22) one place ahead of Martin Dean (50.49) who took the men's title, and there was success for Matthew Owen (5th in 52.32), Esme Finch (6th in 55.37) and Jen Leonard (9th in 65.20).
Only the strongest were racing on the Brown course, and Jamie Goddard was best placed of the locals, as he was 10th in 75.18, with Andy Llewellyn (12th in 72.39) and Dave Godfree (16th in 85.26) also well placed.
There were strong pre-race warnings about the physicality of the terrain, and several athletes opted to drop down in colour rather than risk being benighted. Alexander Hunt got onto the podium in 2nd place on the Blue course (51.25) as he led a seven strong FVO posse into the top 20.
Jason Inman was 4th (57.24) one place ahead of Fraser Cheyne (58.14), with Pierre Mackenzie 7th (59.03) and Lucas Baikie 9th (62.03). Matthew Inman in 15th (67.14) and Janine Inman in 20th (72.21) completed the magnificent seven.
The close season lasted precisely four days, and the posse was back in action in the first event of 2026, which was the STAG Score race in Pollok Park.
No hanging about for Chris Smithard, as he was one of 10 athletes to clear the entire course, but was quickest of the lot, home and dry in 45.47. STUOC's Hamish Meikle was 3rd on the twist course, also claiming all the controls in 57.49.
The "not-twist" course had a large entry, and there were five FVO athletes in the top 10, including another three to sweep the field. Jason Inman was 2nd overall, back in 52.28, while Mark Johnston was 4th (55.26) and Mark Wood was 5th (56.21).
Rachel Kirkland (6th in 59.10) and Hannah Inman (9th in 48.00) both left one control on the board, although Hannah had 12 minutes in hand, and could have cleared the course.