Twenty's Plenty in Middle Medal-grab
It was a massively successful day for Forth Valley Orienteers at the Scottish Middle championships near Inverness, as the club equalled its record-breaking medal haul from 2024 with 20 gongs right across the classes.
This was the the first time the Middle has moved away from a Perthshire venue, and the terrain at Dallaschyle, near Cawdor, which has previously been used up to World Championship level, was a stern test for the travelling athletes, and one which they overcame with aplomb.
Roger Goddard maintained his 100% scoring record in the event, with his fourth gold medal (31.34) from four runs in the Men's Vet class, as he overcame team-mate Will Hensman, who took the silver (32.02). Graham Gristwood is another who has medalled each time he's turned out, but it was a silver on this occasion in Men's Open, as he was 21 seconds (31.24) off the front.
Just as last year, FVO filled two class podiums completely, and once again it was the SuperVet Women and M14s who starred. Vicky Thornton topped Women's SuperVet in 32.41, for her first gold at this level, and ending Alison Cunningham's five year unbeaten run. Alison was 2nd (34.36), and Cathy Tilbrook had the bronze in 35.33.
In M14, Fraser Cheyne has moved up in age-class, but everyone else from last year merely stepped up one place, as Lucas Baikie topped the podium in 20.19, from James Edward (22.50) and Matthew Owen came in for the bronze (23.50), matching his 2024 M12 effort.
The juniors had the bit between their teeth now, and there were four more gold medals for the blue and gold, with Esme Kelly (32.10) atop W16, Hannah Inman taking the honours in W14 (33.16) despite walking round the course to protect a minor injury, Sophie Edward led W12 (32.42) and Ethan Baikie defending his M10 title (27.58). Lachlan Carruthers took the silver medal in M12 (29.08), as did Catriona Downie in W10 (17.50) and Alexander Hunt won bronze in M16 (37.22).
Further up the age scale, Janine Inman made it six medals from six runs, with silver in Women's Vet (35.00) and Jason Inman's one-armed effort in Men's SuperVet finished in 30.19 as the 3rd Scot.
There were also medals for FVO athletes James Hammond (gold in M20 - 34.38) and Laura Brown (bronze in W20 - 29.44), who were racing in their university colours.