Running with Wolves
There were two FVO course winners as the 2026 Scottish Orienteering League got underwaty with a moorland race at Dunchatonmore, near Kincraig, as the event took place under the watchful eyes of the resident wolves at the Highland Wildlife Park.
Fraser Cheyne brought his top game on the Blue course, where he was home and hosed in 44.52 for his first win in a National event. He was one second behind clubmate James Edward at the first control, but took advantage on the second leg, where James dropped 50 seconds, and held the lead from there on, recording a 72 second lead over the field.
Will Hensman took longer to get up to speed, but settled into his rhythm from the fourth checkpoint and once again dominated proceedings on Brown, back in 72.23 to head the league table once again.
The wins were supplemented on the Short Blue course, as Martin Dean (47.32) and Alison Cunningham (49.35) were 2nd and 3rd behind a late finish from CLYDE's Donald Petrie.
There was also a small party from the club in action at the Antwerp Sprint meet in Belgium, and all three athletes were prominent over a four race series against large fields.
Friday and Saturday were devoted to Sprint races, and Simon Finch had his best run at the start, where he was 14th (24.58) in the prologue. Jack Cheyne and Jon Cross saved their top performances for the final race, as Jack was 36th (24.43) in Men's Vet, and Jon 22nd (18.51) in Men's SuperVet.
The final round was a full-featured Urban, and there were only two seconds separating Simon and Jack in Men's Vet, with Simon back in 71.41, while Jon was well placed in Men's SuperVet, home in 49.34.
On the international front, FVO will have three athletes in the GB team for the first two rounds of the World Cup , in Switzerland and Sweden. Grace and Peter Molloy won the trial races, so they're justifiably first in line for selection in both races. Grace can also relax for the rest of the year, as she's been pre-selected for the World Championships in Italy.
James Hammond wasn't available for selection for the first round, as he has university exams, but will come in for his World Cup debut in Sweden in the next round, with Grace and Peter retaining their places in a much-changed lineup. He's also one of nine Scots-based athletes named in the party for the Wield University Championships in Portugal.