WEE are the champions!
There is a mix of new and familiar names on the WEE champions roster at the end of a memorable campaign, with four brand-new champs, three defending their crowns, two moving colour to top the tables and one regaining a lost title.
The nine race series took athletes from Callander down to Bo'ness in search of league points, and there were more than 600 runs across the series, which has concluded earlier than normal due to heavy undergrowth in many of the areas.
Rory Slater is the new Green men's champ with 463 points, but was made to work hard to the end by a chasing pack which included Alexander Hunt and defending champion Dom Edward.
Scarlett Kelly's reign as Green women's champion is at an end, as she was able to race only three times in the series, which was good enough only for 2nd place overall, ahead of Alison Q Smithard, who was also in action thrice. The new champ is Sarah Kirton, who was consistent across the series to pick up 269 points.
Alexander did have the consolation of the Top Junior award for his efforts, although Lucas Baikie could have snatched it away with a final week turnover which wasn't on the cards given the quality of the field. Lucas Whitworth got in on the action in 3rd spot.
Scarlett's 238 points were good enough for her to retain the Top Junior girl trophy for a 4th straight year, ahead of Esme Kelly. With only two girls qualifying on the Green course, the 3rd place shakes down to Short Green (we've had to go down to Yellow in the past to find a winner) and Esme Finch, with 315 points in her first season at the colour, made the podium.
The major news across the whole competition is that five-race Short Green winner Scott Baikie has withdrawn his name from contention post-series. Scott explained that he's only been running Short Green as he was coming straight from work in the city, and had no guarantee that he would arrive in time for a Green course entry.
The Short Green men's winner then is Sean Truswell, with a fine 409 points from his five runs at the colour. Sean started the series on the Orange course, where he was the defending champion, so it's paid off for him to move colour mid-series. Alex Tijhuis and the very experienced Brian Bullen make up the podium set.
There's another first-time champ on the women's Short Green course, where Hannah Grimmel scooped 385 points to see off the challenges of Natasha Conway (356) and Alice McDaid (351).
The ownership of the Orange titles has changed from last year, but there are two former champions returning to the top to the heap. Cammy Lockyer, with 402 points, can now add the Orange title to the three he won previously on Yellow. Finlay Gallagher (263) and Ruaridh Nairn (241) scored enough points from their three runs each to get up onto the class podium.
Sophie Edward topped the lot, with 475 points, and ran in every round to reclaim the Orange title she surrendered last year, Catriona Downie moved up in colour early, and was rewarded with 2nd place and 244 points, while Rose Martin's 144 from her two runs was sufficient for 3rd place.
The Lockyer family has owned the Yellow men's trophy for five years now, as Leo (493 points) successfully defended his 2024 title, and is now one win behind his older brother. It's a family affair further down, as Ethan Baikie (425) overcame Oscar (339). although he too changed colour in week 7.
Three in a row for Aurora Lockyer on Yellow girls, as she finished 200 points (466) clear of the field on a course that she still has three years of eligibility left on. Erin McDaid (265) finished the season strongly, with her first Silver standard to overcome her sister Freya (245) at the final push.