Nopesport

Last weekend the Northern Ireland Orienteering championships returned to Tullymore forest park, Newcastle. This area has been used many times for events but this year a new extended map was being used. It consists of a fast running mature woodland on the foot of the Mourne mountains and open mountainside with intricate contour detail into which most courses went. The close proximity to the border meant that a large numbers travelled up from the south making a very good turn out this year. Included in the entrants were some of the Irish WOC team who made their home return after the world championships in Sweden and showed why they were selected as they battled for the top spots in the elite classes.

Irelands answer to the Valstad-Staff family, Steven & Violet Linton, were obviously inspired by the norwegien families WOC successes as they took the 21 elite titles and crowned N.Ireland champions. Steven had to fight off stiff competition from WOC teamate Marcus Pinker, but made local knowledge count as he took victory by over a minute. Competition was not so tough for Violet as she won by over 10 minutes.

full results : here

Wattok