Still the Night
The Scottish Night Championship in Aberdeenshire saw a much-changed FVO lineup from last week's British version.
Only two local athletes from Egypt Wood went to the start line at the super-tough Muir of Dinnet, but more than half of the team came away with a medal on a great night for orienteering.
Scarlett Kelly won W18 in 41.44, ensuring her third gold in the championship from three trips, and younger sister Esme made her championship debut, securing the class silver in 50.20.
The M16 class brought together the defending champion and last year's M14 champ for a head to head battle, and it was the younger man, Lucas Baikie, who emerged victorious, in a time of 42.30, with Fraser Cheyne (67.57) having to settle for silver this time.
Alice McDaid stuck with it in Women's Vet when many would have thrown in the towel, and was rewarded with the bronze medal in 141.40, and Hazel Dean wasn't quite able to add a fifth night title to her resume, but was a comfy 2nd (69.29) to retain the medal she won last time.
There was a supporting event on Sunday, as GRAMP had a regional race near Banchory, and despite some weary limbs, there were four FVO athletes on the podiums.
Fraser Cheyne extracted a modicum of revenge for having to part with his Night championship trophy, as he was 3rd on Blue (49.14), denying Lucas Baikie (49.50) a medal double. Scarlett Kelly was a late entry, and had to go on the Green course, where she was 2nd (42.04) behind another athlete out of class, Open champion Eilidh Campbell.
Ethan Baikie didn't race at night, and he had enough in the legs for 3rd (52.23) on a physical Orange course, and on White, Oscar Baikie was 2nd (15.44) as the leading non-shadowed runner.