Nopesport

A foggy start announced the arrival of Stage 2 of the O-ringen 2005. The assembly field was the same as the first day, leaving many Brits in nervous anticipation of more undergrowth and fiendish route choices. However, the race today was a middle distance race and focussed much more on the type of orienteering traditionally associated with Scandinavia - tricky contour interpretation and simplification posed the greatest challenges. As the sunshine arrived, so did some top results for the GB contingent.

Once again, Nottinghamshire star Joy Hodkinson was leading the way in D10, having a combined time of just under half an hour for the two days. Guesses as to what she may win this evening on a postcard - a saucepan to go with the frying pan perhaps?! It looks good for Joy to be leading the way all week, destroying the opposition by a minute again today. The Sheffield University pair of Rhys Findlay Robinson and Hazel Tant both achieved 6th place in the 20 Long classes, Rhys pulling up to 6th overall after a couple of minor errors yesterday. It was another good day for Roy Malley of Tyne OK, who now lies 11th overall in H75 after gaining 8th position today. Rebecca Roberts hangs on to fifth overall after an 8th placing today.

In the top twenty Ivor Noot found some of his usual form to gain 11th position in H65. Becky Carlyle's brain started to work again, having a n error free run with a few bad lines to come 14th. Lucy Butt had a run far improved on yesterday in D11 to attain 16th place, with Peter Hodkinson finishing in 18th in H14.

On the elite side of the competition Rose Hodkinson ran a solid race to 33rd position in D18E, finding herself further down than she expected after the times around her were packed with runners. Ruth Holmes was dogged by errors in the circle, finding herself in the 80s, and Tessa Hill was the victim of a large parallel error, losing ten minutes or so on the wrong side of a marsh. Doug Tullie was top Brit on H18E this time, the more complex terrain suiting his style of orienteering well to gain him 66th position, an improvement on yesterday.

Matthew Speake had a storming run on H21E, only two minutes down on the lead time set by Rikard Claesson of Stora Tuna IK in 12th position. Claire Ward also improved dramatically on yesterday's showing to come 25th, six minutes down on the lead of Catarina Öberg. As the Brits ease into the terrain we hope to continue racing up the results, but are looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, when the Super Elite class will begin. Helen Bridle is the only Great Britain representative in this showcase event of Scandinavia's finest orienteers. Good luck tomorrow Helen!

Follow it all live at Oringen Online and check out the maps & courses available at RunOway