Nopesport

Peter Woods - Winner

WO Pete Wood achieved the greatest upset in recent history of RAF Orienteering by snatching victory from 6-times RAF Orienteering Champion, Flt Lt Geoff Ellis.  Pete won the extremely demanding race, which had been cunningly planned by WO Bob Hill of JARIC, by seconds in the tightest ever finish at the RAF Orienteering Championship.  WO Wood’s exceptional performance came after a surprise comeback from an injury that had threatened his running career and he had been absent from the sport for 5 years with severe back problems.  Flt Lt Paul Watson of Linton on Ouse ran strongly throughout to secure a deserved third place.  

In a nice twist of fate, Pete first met with Geoff's father, Sqn Ldr (Rtd) Rod Ellis in 1991 at RAF Coningsby and Pete has actively followed Geoff's progress and encouraged his development over many years, even before Geoff followed his father into the RAF.  Pete and Geoff are now both stationed at RAF Marham and it was Geoff who encouraged Pete to pick up his compass again and begin racing – perhaps an own goal!

Geoff's sister, Flt Lt Rachel Ellis was also widely tipped to win the Ladies Championship.  However, Rachel finished narrowly second, being edged out by Cpl Sadie Burrow of RAF Northolt in what has become a familiar close race between the 2 outstanding RAF Ladies.  Novice Flt Lt Nicky Barker of RAF Brize Norton turned in an exceptional performance given her relative inexperience of the sport and is rewarded with a surprise call up to the RAF Team.  Indeed, all six athletes will be part of the RAF Orienteers team that will compete against the Army and Navy at Shining Cliff in the Peak District on 16 Nov 08.  The full RAF Inter-Service Team that will do battle with the other Services is:

Men

Ladies

Mens reserves are Flt Lt John Liston of RAF Marham and Flt Lt Phil Johnston-Davis of RAF Digby with Ladies reserve Fg Off Robbie Austin of RAF Brize Norton.

Prizes were presented by the President of the RAF Orienteering Association, Air Commodore John Rigby.

For full results and more photographs visit www.rafo.org.uk. For further information about orienteering in the RAF contact your Station OIC or PEd Flt.