Nopesport

The Future Champions Cup Series is almost at the climax; all qualifying races have been held, all juniors have had the opportunity to qualify for the final. All that remains is to see who will be the next Future Champion’s, and Nopesport brings you a preview of who’s who in the final. (Rather a long preview, so make sure you’ve got a lot of spare time!)

M20

1. Graham Gristwood OD/UWOC 240 points (2nd year M20)
GG is a member of the British Junior and Senior Squad, and has already run in 2 Junior World Championships. He has run for OD the last 2 years having joined them since moving to Warwick University, and has run the anchor leg for them in both the British, Scottish and JK relays where they have had great success since he joined the club. He goes into the final with maximum points, having won 4 of the 5 races he’s run in this year (SN Short, British Champs, JK Day 1 and HOC Badge). He won the FCC M18 series in 2002, and in the final was 5th in the short race as well as winning the classic race and the overall title for the weekend. In 2003, he couldn’t quite repeat the feat, but 3rd place in each race in the final left him in 2nd place overall, and 2nd in the M20 series.
Despite having not done any specific training for the weekend he thinks he has a decent chance of winning, and would just like to say “Come on the mighty OD”. Well, at least they’ve got one fan!
2. Daniel Halliday OD 218 pts (1st year M20)
Dan is a member of the British Junior Development Squad, having moved up from the Start squad, and was a member of the team at the Junior European Champs last year. He is yet to make an appearance for the OD first team, though with the strength in depth at the club this is not surprising. This year has seen some impressive results from him - he has already had one win (JOK Sprint), and two 2nd places (JK Day 2 and HOC Badge) in the qualifying rounds and is the leading runner who will still be a junior next year. In 2002 Dan was disqualified in the short, and was 17th in the classic, leaving him 11th in the M18 series. Last year he was 19th overall in the final, having finished 10th in the short and 22nd in the classic, and was 4th in the M18 series.
He rates his own chances as merely average as although he claims to be running quite well he “still hasn’t mastered the art of navigation!”
3. Mark Nixon CLYDE 217 pts (2nd year M20)
Mark is the Men’s captain of the British Junior Squad, and made his debut at the Junior World Championships last year. He is having a gap year in Sweden at present, and has changed British clubs from SOC (where he was a member of the team which finished 2nd at the British Relays) to CLYDE, whom he ran for in their 6th placed team at the JK. He is also the only junior to have beaten GG in an FCC race this year, and despite being below Dan in the qualifying stages, has beaten him in every race they’ve run together, which includes 2 wins (GO National and JK Day 2) and a 3rd place (SN Short). In 2002, Mark was 10th in the short and 7th in the classic to get 8th overall, and 3rd in the M18 series. Last year he was 4th in the short and 7th in the classic to get 6th overall, and 4th in the M20 series.
Mark’s aim for the weekend is to run fast and make no mistakes and he’ll wait and see where this gets him. Great aims really aren’t they! He is also relishing the opportunity for juniors and seniors to be racing against each other in the short race “…that’s how it should be.”
4. Mark Saunders LOC/EUOC 205 pts (2nd year M20)
Mark is a member of the British Junior Development Squad. He is originally from the non-orienteering land of the Isle of Wight, but thankfully now resides in the Lake District when not at university, where he is a member of Edinburgh’s successful training group, and helped them to 2nd place at last year’s JK relay. He has already had a 2nd place (British Champs) and two 3rd’s (JK Days 1 & 2) this year. In 2002, Mark was 15th in the short race, and did not run the classic due to injury, but still came 5th in the M18 series. Last year he was 5th in the short race and 13th in the classic to get 10th overall, and 7th in the M20 series.
5. David Hodkinson NOC 205 pts (2nd year M20)
David is a member of the British Junior Squad, and made his debut at the Junior World Championships last year. He remains loyal to Nottingham, helped by the fact that he is not at university. His results have been consistent this year, with one 2nd (JK Day 1) and two 3rd’s (GO National and British Champs) in the qualifying stages. In 2002, David was 4th in the short and 9th in the classic to get 6th overall, and 2nd in the M18 series. He further improved this last year where he was 8th in the short and 2nd in the classic to get 4th overall, and 6th in the M20 series.
He is very happy with his fitness at present, highlighting his surging end to the JK classic as evidence that he can keep the pace up all the way to the end. He does not see the weekend being as much as a physical or technical challenge as the JK, and hopes that a clean run should see him setting some competitive times.
6. Colin Olivant NOC 190 pts (1st year M20)
Colin is a member of the British Junior Development Squad, and is another product of the successful Nottingham juniors, multiple winners of the Yvette Baker Trophy and Peter Palmer relay. He has already had one 2nd place in this year’s qualifying at the JOK Sprint. In 2002, Colin was 20th in the short and 13th in the classic to get 14th overall, and 7th in the M18 series. Last year’s final was hampered by injury, and he finished 24th in the short and 26th in the classic to get 24th overall, but his performances in the qualifying stages meant he still finished 3rd M18 in the series.
7. Chris Sellens SOS/SHUOC 186 pts (2nd year M20)
Chris is a member of the British Junior Development Squad, and has been part of the successful junior group of SOS, as well as Sheffield University’s 1st team. He is also the proud owner of some unique Tellytubby o-trousers, envy of all orienteer's! This year, he has had one 3rd place at the JOK Sprint. In 2002, Chris was 9th in the short and 6th in the classic to get 7th overall, and 4th in the M18 series. He couldn’t quite repeat those impressive performances last year, and finished 9th in the short race and 10th in the classic to get 9th overall, and 8th in the M20 series.
Chris is running well, and having just spent a week in Sweden his technique work should be top notch!
8. Rob Little WCH/SHUOC 179 pts (2nd year M20)
Rob is a member of the England fell-running team, and has been to 2 World Fell Running Championships. He is a student at Sheffield University where he trains with some of Britain’s top seniors, and frequently beats them on fell races. This year he has had one 3rd place (HOC Badge). In 2002 Rob did not travel over to Northern Ireland despite qualifying for the final. Last year, Rob was 15th in the short race and 18th in the classic to get 16th overall, and 9th in the M20 series.
9. Jordan Larne MEROC/Liverpool 166 pts (1st year M20)
Jordan has been a member of the hugely successful North West Junior Squad for the past few years, and has been on a number of BOF tours, including the Start trip to Uppsala last year. He is a proud Scouser and devoted fan of Liverpool FC, and can usually be seen in the final of 5-a-side football competitions at multi-day events. Last year Jordan was disqualified in the short race and 12th in the classic, and was 14th in the M18 series.
10. Matthew Dickinson DVO/SHUOC 165 pts (1st year M20)
Matt is part of the huge Sheffield University training group, having travelled the huge distance from his home club of DVO, the ‘other’ club in East Midlands. He has been on a number of BOF tours to Scandinavia. In 2002, Matt was 17th in the short race and 20th in the classic to get 19th overall, and 10th in the M18 series. Last year he was 25th in the short and 20th in the classic to get 20th overall, and 10th in the M18 series.
11. David West SOS/NUOC 141 pts (1st year M20)
David is a rather multi-talented sportsman, with England honours for both orienteering and hockey, and has also represented his county at rugby. He is a student at Nottingham University, under the superb guidance of club captain Andrew Powell. In 2002, David was 21st in the short and 16th in the classic to get 17th overall, and 9th in the M18 series. Last year he did not qualify for the final.
12. Peter Gardner WAOC/EUOC 139 pts (1st year M20)
Peter is a member of the BUSA champions Edinburgh University, as well as the mighty East Anglian club WAOC (does anyone know why West Anglia are in East Anglia?) He can be easily spotted by his mass of well tended flowing black locks. Following his move to Scotland, his results have been improving, and as a result Peter has qualified for his first appearance at the Future Champions Cup Final.
13. Ross Sanderson TVOC/EUOC 125 pts (1st year M20)
Ross is a past member of the mighty South Central Junior Squad, and has had the pleasure of running with myself in a relay team before! He has also had the honour of representing England AND Scotland at the Junior Home International. However, he now pledges his allegiance to those North of the border, and has made sure of this by moving to Edinburgh University, where he is usually seen with Miss Berrow. In 2002, Ross was 14th in the short and retired in the classic due to a recurring injury of a twisted ankle. Last year he was 23rd in the short and 24th in the classic to get 23rd overall, and 13th in the M18 series.
14. Nick James NOC 107 pts (1st year M20)
Nick is yet another product of the Nottingham juniors, and has been a star runner on the 1st leg of the Peter Palmer relay for a few years. He has also been on a number of BOF tours. In 2002, Nick was disqualified in the short race and 24th in the classic, and was 13th in the M18 series. Last year he was 14th in the short and 21st in the classic to get 17th overall, and 7th in the M18 series.
Nick is not running in the final.
15. Tim Beale SN/Oxford Brookes 90 pts (1st year M20)
Unfortunately Tim is injured and is not running in the final.

M18

1. Scott Fraser INT/EUOC 231 pts
Scott is a member of the British Junior Squad and made his debut as a 1st year M18 at last year’s Junior World Championships. He is also a member of Edinburgh’s highly acclaimed team, and has been a bit of a maestro for them on the 1st leg at relays this year. Scott transferred to orienteering from fell running (where he is still a bit of a beast) only a few years, and is improving all the time. He has already won 3 qualifying rounds this year (GO National, JK Days 1 & 2) and is the only M18 to have beaten Oleg Chepelin in an FCC race this year. Last year Scott was 6th in both the short and classic race to get 5th overall, and 2nd in the M18 series.
2. Oleg Chepelin GRAMP/EUOC 230 pts
Oleg is a member of the British Junior Squad, and was a member of the team at last year’s Junior European Cup. He is also a member of Edinburgh’s successful team this year, and has played a big role in their successful season so far. He has finished in the top 2 M18’s in every race this year, including two wins (SN Short and British Champs), and he was tough enough to run up at this year’s JK to M20 Elite. Last year Oleg was 7th in the short and 8th in the classic to get 8th overall, and he won the M18 series.
3. Chris Mitchell PFO 214 pts
Chris has been a member of the hugely successful North West Junior Squad for a number of years, helping them to 1st place in the relay in 2002, and 2nd in the relay last year. He has been on a number of BOF tours, including the World Class Start tour to Uppsala last year, and is a current member of the World Class Start programme. Chris is another enthusiastic football player, and has been seen in the final of many of orienteering top football tournaments! This year has seen Chris win one qualifying round (HOC Badge), 2nd in another (JK Day 1) and 3rd in another (SN Short). Last year he was 16th in both the short and the classic to get 15th overall, and 5th in the M18 series.
4. Andy Llewellyn NOC 208 pts
Andy is another member of the successful NOC juniors, having been a member of their Peter Palmer and Yvette Baker Trophy winning teams for the last few years. He is also a member of the World Class Start programme, and was a member of the Halden tour last summer. He has recently represented England at the World School’s Championships. Andy is another who has only been orienteering a few years, and has been improving dramatically over the past few years. This year Andy has already had one 2nd place (JK Day 2) and three 3rd’s (GO National, JOK Sprint and JK Day 1). This is his debut in the Future Champions Cup Final.
5. Drew Brunton CLYDE/EUOC 200 pts
Drew is a member of ScotJOS, and was part of the team which won the JHI’s and JIRC’s last year. He also ran superbly at this year’s Senior Home’s to finish 3rd on M20, beating three of England’s best in the process. A member of the World Class Start Programme, and participant on last year’s Uppsala summer tour, he is also a student at Edinburgh University. This year he has had one 2nd place (CLYDE Badge) and one 3rd (HOC Badge). Last year Drew was 19th in the short and 15th in the classic to get 14th overall, and 8th in the M18 series.
6. Duncan Coombs MAROC 198 pts
Duncan is also a member of ScotJOS, and was part of their winning relay team at last year’s JIRC’s. He is also a current member of the World Class Start Programme and was a member on last year’s Halden tour. This year he has already won one event (CLYDE Badge). This is Duncan’s debut in the Future Champions Cup Final.
7. Ben Stevens AIRE 191 pts
Ben is a member of AIRE’s promising young squad, and helped them in their victory at last year’s Yvette Baker Trophy. He has also helped his club to a number of JK and British junior relay wins, and is a member of the World Class Start programme having attended last year’s summer Halden tour. This Ben has finished 2nd in one of the qualifying rounds (HOC Badge), and this is his first appearance in the Future Champions Cup Final.
8. Will Spain LOC 190 pts
Will has been a member of North West Junior Squad’s impressive group of runners for a number of years. He is also a member of the World Class Start programme and took part in last year’s Uppsala summer tour. He is also lucky enough to live next door to a number of high quality orienteering areas in the Lake District, including High Dam. This year he has finished 3rd in one qualifying round (CLYDE Badge). Last year Will was 17th in the short and 25th in classic to get 21st overall, and 10th in the M18 series.
9. James Tullie RR 182 pts
James is another member of the successful ScotJOS, and is also part of the World Class Start programme. He was another of last year’s Uppsala attendees, and is one of few people ever to belong to the mighty Roxburgh Reivers. A keen rugby follower, he is probably trying to instigate a 7’s match at next year’s Scottish 6-Day in place of the usual 5-a-side football! This year he finished 3rd on the 1st day of the JK. Last year James did not qualify for the FCC Final, finishing in 16th place in the series.
He says he has nothing to lose in the final, so will be going all out in what he thinks will be a more intense weekend than the JK.
10. Kyle Heron FVO 181 pts
Kyle is yet another member of the seemingly endless ScotJOS group of M18’s, as well as being part of the World Class Start programme where he participated in last year’s Halden tour. He has had a couple of top 5 places in this year’s qualifying rounds (GO National and HOC Badge), and this is first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
He is plesed to have got into the FCC Final as this was his aim for the year, and is now just hoping for 2 clean runs and hopefully surprise himself and others with his performances.
11. Rhys Findlay-Robinson DEE 180 pts
Rhys is one of those who doesn’t quite know where he belongs! He has run for both Wales (at the Junior Home’s), but North West at the JIRC’s, where he has been a strong runner for them the last few year’s, though he tries to keep his roots (or feet) firmly on Welsh soil. He is a member of the World Class Start programme and took part in last year’s Uppsala tour. This year he has had a couple of top 5 finishes (JOK Sprint and JK Day 2). Last year Rhys was 20th in the short and 9th in the classic (3rd M18 in the classic) to get 12th overall, and 9th in the M18 series.
Rhys doesn’t think this is his kind of area for him to do well on, though he will be getting a couple a fast hill runs in before the race to prepare himself.
12. James Bennett WCH 174 pts
James is a member of West Midland’s ever improving junior squad. He has had one top 5 finish this year at the first day of the JK. Last year he did not qualify for the FCC final, and came 19th in the M18 series.
13. Iain Embrey COBOC 171 pts
Iain is also a member of West Midlands Junior Squad, but is one of only a few stars from COBOC. He has had a number of top 10’s in this year’s qualifying rounds, including a 6th place at the CLYDE Badge. This is Iain’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
Iain reckons that a number of courses have been a bit on the short side this year, although he has enjoyed the varying terrain experienced this year. Despite the length of courses this year, he reckons that the classic race will make the results a lot more interesting as it is much longer than the 18’s have been running this year.
14. Dan Tett SYO 163 pts
Dan is a member of the Yorkshire squad, and under the guidance of his legendary father, has taken to fell running, belonging to one of Britain’s top clubs, Dark Peak. He has had a couple of top 10’s in this year’s qualifying rounds (GO National and JOK Sprint) and this is his debut in the Future Champions Cup Final.
15. David Bolton MEROC 161 pts
‘Safety’ Dave has recently risen to legendary status following his famous ‘salute’ at the finish of races. He is a member of the successful North West Junior Squad, and only last year pushed me very close on a bleep test! He has had a couple of top 6 runs in this year’s qualifying rounds (JOK Sprint and HOC Badge), and this has helped him into his first appearance at the Future Champions Cup Final.

W20

1. Alison O’Neil NOC/EUOC 220 pts
Alison is a member of the British Junior Squad, and made her debut at the Junior World Championships last summer. She has helped NOC to many Yvette Baker Trophy and Peter Palmer victories over the year’s, and is still improving following her move to Edinburgh University, whom she helped to win the BUSA relay this year. This year she has won two races in the qualifying rounds, including two superb runs at the JK – her short race result makes her the only British junior to beat Mhairi in an FCC race this year – as well as a 2nd place at the British Championships. In 2002, Alison was 6th in the short and 9th in the classic to get 9th overall, and 4th in the W18 series. Last year she was 5th in the short and 9th in the classic to get 6th overall.
She feels that the Forest of Dean is not her type of terrain, and so doesn’t think she will do quite as well as she did at the JK.
2. Liz Bridge SO 206 pts
Liz is a member of the British Junior Development Squad, and was a member of the World Class Start programme before that. Last year she was selected as a reserve for the Junior World Championships team, as well as taking part in the British Junior Squad tour to Sweden. This year she has had two 2nd places (SN Short and GO National). In 2002, Liz was 19th in the short and 18th in the classic to get 18th overall, and 8th in the W18 series. Last year she was 9th in the short and 4th in the classic to get 5th overall, but was only 8th in the W18 series.
She has been training hard this year and is pleased with her running at the moment, but says that there are many other people who are at a similar standard so competition will be tough. She is hoping to get a top 6 position though, which will put her in contention for the JWOC team.
3. Sarah Price LOC/UYOC 192 pts
Sarah has represented England at the last couple of Interland matches and Senior Home International’s. She is one of a number of products from the British School’s champions Ulverston Victoria High School, and is now a student at the University of York. This year she has had two 3rd places (British Champs and JK Day 2). In 2002, Sarah was 25th in the short and 14th in the classic to get 23rd overall, and 7th in the W18 series. Last year she was 15th in both the short and classic races to get 16th overall, and 4th in the W20 series.
4. Suzy Robertson SOS/SHUOC 189 pts
Suzy is a member of the impressive group of students at Sheffield University, where she helped them to gold at last year’s BUSA relay. Originally from East Anglia, she is one of a number of top juniors coming out of the ‘Flatlands’. This year she has had one 3rd place at the HOC Badge. In 2002, Suzy was 11th in the short and 15th in the classic to get 14th overall, and 6th in the W18 series. Last year she was 10th in the short and 7th in the classic to get 8th overall, and 3rd in the W20 series.
She has been hill training more to simulate the steep forests of the Forest of Dean (“…trying to train the East Anglian out of me…”. Although Suzy feels the terrain is not as tough or technically challenging as the JK, the increased numbers of competitors on the course will make it harder to do well. As this is her last year as a junior, she really wants to do well and reckons two steady runs would leave her a realistic chance of making the JWOC team. With such visible terrain likely on the courses, she reckons that if people are caught, then people running round in pairs or groups will benefit as the terrain is ideal for group running.
5. Rose Burden AIRE 185 pts
Rose is a member of the Yvette Baker Trophy winning AIRE team which prevented NOC from retaining the title for yet another year, and she has been on a number of BOF tours over the past few years. This year she has had one 3rd place at the CLYDE Badge event. In 2002, Rose was 20th in the short and 22nd in the classic to get 20th overall, and 9th in the W18 series. Last year she was 8th in the short and 10th in the classic to get 9th overall, and 7th in the W18 series.
6. Mhairi Mackenzie WCOC/EUOC 171 pts
Mhairi is the captain of the British Junior Squad, and is also a member of the British Senior Squad. Her successes have been very impressive this year, including winning the BUSA champs, and helping Edinburgh University to gold in the relay. Her numerous outings to Snatch have yet to catch up with her (though a number of lads from Edinburgh have trouble catching up with her themselves!) She is also fortunate to be the girlfriend of fellow British Junior Squad captain and brother of myself – lucky girl! This year she has only run in three FCC races, though she has won two of them (JOK Sprint and British Championships). She opted to run the W21 Elite at the JK where she performed rather admirably. In 2002, Mhairi was 15th in the short and 9th in the classic to get 12th overall, but still won the W18 series. Last year she was 2nd in the short and 1st in the classic to win the overall title, and also win the W18 series.
She thinks it will be a good weekend’s racing, hoping it will be similar to when the JK was there 2 years ago where it was “fast and fun!” Mhairi is quite confident about the weekend though admits to having done no specific training for it, though having already run on Lydney Park knows what to expect.
7. Nicola Robertson SOS/CUOC 167 pts
Nicola is the twin sister of Suzy, though they now don’t live together with Suzy being at Sheffield Uni and Nicola at Cambridge. Unsurprisingly, she is one of the other top juniors to come from the mountainous region of East Anglia. This year she has had a number of top 10’s in the qualifying rounds, including the GO National and both days of the JK. In 2002, Nicola was 23rd in the short and 26th in the classic to get 24th overall, and 9th in the W18 series. Last year she did not qualify for the final, finishing in 19th place in the W20 series.
Nicola is not running in the final due to University commitments, but she says she’ll be backing her sister 200% in a weekend which she thinks will be better than the JK for the fact that everyone will be running the same course.
8. Becky Kingdon SAXONS/SHUOC 167 pts
Becky is a student at Sheffield Hallam University, so is an unofficial member of SHUUUUUUOC. She represented Great Britain at the Junior World Championships in 2002, but has suffered from injury and illness the last couple of years. This year she has had a couple of top 5 places at the GO National and JOK Sprint. In 2002, Becky was 8th in the short and 4th in the classic to get 7th overall, and 2nd in the W18 series. Last year she was 22nd in the short and 19th in the classic to get 20th overall, and 7th in the W20 series.
9. Fiona Berrow ECKO/EUOC 144 pts
Fiona is a member of the British Junior Development Squad, and has represented Great Britain at the last two Junior World Championships in Spain and Estonia. She is a student at Edinburgh University where she is nearly always spotted with Mr Sanderson attached, though she still found the time to help Edinburgh to gold at this year’s BUSA relay. This year she has won one race (CLYDE Badge), but has only competed in 3 FCC races. In 2002, Fiona was 5th in the short and won the classic, to get 2nd overall, but only 3rd in the W18 series. Last year she was 16th in the short and 6th in the classic to get 10th overall, and 2nd in the W18 series.
10. Heather Houghton HOC 133 pts
Heather is a past member of the West Midlands Junior Squad. In 2002, she did not qualify for the final, and finished as 20th W18 in the overall series. She did not qualify for the final last year, and finished 22nd overall in the W18 series. This means this is Heather’s first appearance in the Future Champions Cup Final.
11. Sarah Browne LOC/SHUOC 131 pts
Sarah is a member of the Irish Junior team, and has been to the last two Junior World Championships. Another product from Ulverston Victoria High School, she has also helped the North West Junior Squad to some impressive performances at the JIRC’s. She is now a student at Sheffield University, where I had the pleasure of bumping into her on a Friday night at the union. This year she has only run in three FCC races, but has had top 10 places in them all (British Championships and both days of the JK). In 2002, she was 9th in the short race and 6th in the classic to get 10th overall, and 5th in the W18 series. Last year she qualified for the final, but did not make the trip up to Scotland (finished 14th in the W18 series).
Sarah has opted not to run in this year’s FCC Final.
12. Sadie Burrow LOC 130 pts
Sadie is yet another to have emerged from Ulverston Victoria High School, and as per usual with all members of the school, went on to represent North West Junior Squad at many JIRC’s. In 2002, Sadie was 24th in the short and 27th in the classic to get 25th overall, and 11th in the W18 series. Last year she was 14th in the short and 20th in the classic to get 19th overall, and 11th in the W20 series.
Sadie is not running in the final.
13. Sarah Jane Gaffney OD/UWOC 123 pts
Sarah-Jane has only started orienteering since she’s been at university, and under the careful guidance of Warwick captain Graham Gristwood, she has qualified for her first Future Champions Cup Final. At the final she is just aiming to have fun and focus on her technique. Recently she has been going to as many events as possible just to improve her technical ability and hopefully this will give her a good basis for improvement.

W18

1. Cerys Manning SWOC 240 pts
Cerys is a member of the British Junior Squad, and was a member of the Great Britain team at last year’s Junior European Cup. An ever-present for Wales at both the Junior and Senior Home’s, she has managed to win both in the same year (W18 at the JHI’s and W20 at the SHI’s last year). This year she has won all six of the FCC races she has entered (SN Short, GO National, British Champs, both days of the JK and HOC Badge), including beating all W20’s in the two races where both classes have competed against each other. Last year Cerys was 3rd in the short race and 12th in the classic to get 7th overall, and 5th in the W18 series.
2. Lizzie Adams SOC 211 pts
Lizzie is a member of the World Class Start programme, and the mighty South Central Junior Squad. She is also lucky enough to have gone to the same school as myself and is a member of my running club, Romsey Road Runners (yes, they really are great!) This year she has won one race (JOK Sprint) and finished 2nd in another (British Championships). Last year Lizzie qualified for the final in 6th place but didn’t go the event.
3. Helen Gardner WAOC 208 pts
Helen is a member of the British Junior Squad, and made her debut at the Junior World Championships in Estonia last year. Having progressed through the World Class Start programme to this standard, she is one of East Anglia’s most promising prospects. This year she has had one 2nd place (HOC Badge) and four 3rd places (GO National, JOK Sprint and both days of the JK). Last Helen she was 6th in the short race and 3rd in the classic to get 3rd overall, and 4th in the W18 series.
4. Kirsten Strain ELO 204 pts
Kirsten is a member of the successful ScotJOS and is also the sister of the legend that is Rocky the Rhino. Living so close to Edinburgh makes you wonder whether she will succumb to the attraction that its University offers next year. This year she has had a couple of 2nd places at the SN Short race and the CLYDE Badge. Last year Kirsten was 12th in the short and 11th in the classic to get 11th overall, and 9th in the W18 series.
Kirsten has been feeling a little under the weather recently, but hopes to have cleared up by the weekend, where she can put into practice the training she has been doing at The Meadows in Edinburgh. Unfortunately training has also been affected by school work as she prepares for her Higher’s. She feels that her performance will be affected by her start time where she will be starting near the end of the race. She hopes that the longer courses this weekend will give a better indication than the JK as to who is really doing well this year.
5. Lucy Jepson SO 202 pts
Lucy is a member of the World Class Start programme and participated on last year’s Uppsala tour. She is hoping to study medicine at university next year, though her final choice is yet to be made. This year she has had a couple of 2nd places at the GO National and JOK Sprint. Last year Lucy was 17th in the short and 8th in the classic to get 12th overall, and 6th in the W18 series.
6. Ruth Holmes SARUM 200 pts
Ruth is a member of the World Class Start programme, and is the only person in the FCC final from the South West region! She has already won one race this year (CLYDE Badge) and was 3rd at the HOC Badge. This is Ruth’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
7. Rose Hodkinson NOC 196 pts
Rosemary is a member of the World Class Start programme, and has been part of NOC’s highly coveted prize-winning team for the last few years. She is also the sister of top M20 David. This year she has had one 2nd place (JK Day 1) and one 3rd place (British Championships). This is Rose’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
8. Rebecca Roberts SROC 188 pts
Becca is a member of the World Class Start programme, and is also part of the North West Junior Squad. She recently represented England at the World School’s Championships, and has been on a number of BOF tours. This year she finished 2nd on the first day of the JK, and has had a couple of other top 5 finishes (SN Short and JOK Sprint). This is Becca’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
9. Tessa Hill HOC 177 pts
Tessa is a member of the West Midlands Junior Squad, and recently represented England at the World School’s Championships, where she finished 13th in the classic and 9th in the short. This is her first appearance in the Future Champions Cup Final.
10. Jessica Halliday OD 174 pts
Jessica is a member of the World Class Start programme, and went on the Halden tour last summer. She was also part of last year’s winning JIRC relay team from West Midlands, and is the sister of M20 Dan. She recently represented England at the World School’s Championships. She has had a number of top 10’s this year, including a 5th at the GO National. This is Jessica’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
Despite the hard training she’s put in this year, she thinks that her ankle injury and recent concussion suffered at the World School’s Champs will hinder her performance.
11. Hazel Tant SOS 173 pts
Hazel is a member of the World Class Start programme, and went on the tour to Uppsala last summer. She is yet another junior to come from SOS, who have a number of juniors in this year’s final. She has had a number of top 10 finishes in the qualifying rounds this year, including a 6th place at the HOC Badge. This is Hazel’s first appearance in the Future Champions Cup final, having opted not to run last year despite having qualified as 8th W18.
12. Vicky Campbell CUNOC 172 pts
Vicky is a member of ScotJOS, and helped them in winning last year’s JIRC and JHI’s. This year she finished 3rd in the CLYDE Badge, and has had a couple of other top 10 results. This is Vicky’s first outing in the Future Champions Cup Final.
As Vicky is only a first year W18, she is not expecting to do well and will just use the races as experience, though she thinks it will be a good set of physically challenging races. Despite this she still thinks that it will be a good competitive race and will be good to get some more experience of racing under pressure.
13. Rosie Brocklebank LOC 172 pts
Rosie is a member of the World Class Start programme, and also represented England at the World School’s Championships where she was running for the almost world famous Ulverston Victoria High. This year she has had a number of top 10 finishes including a 5th and 6th at the JK. This is Rosie’s first year in the Future Champions Cup Final.
14. Sarah O’Neil NOC 169 pts
Sarah is a member of NOC’s impressive team who have won most junior competitions in the past few years. She is also the sister of top W20 Alison. This year she has had a number of top 10 finishes, including a 6th place at the JOK Sprint. Last year Sarah was 19th in the short and 14th in the classic to get 14th overall, and 10th in the W18 series.
15. Sian Roberts NOC 152 pts
Sian is also a member of the successful NOC juniors, and has been on a number of BOF tours, as well as having represented Wales at the Junior Home’s. This year she had a 7th place at the HOC Badge. Last year she did not qualify for the final, just missing out by finishing in 16th place in the W18 series.

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