Irish perform well at home JK

Irish senior orienteers performed well at the JK2011. following 3 hotly contested races 5 senior team members have been selected for WOC in France.

The sprint event on Friday saw a very tough challenge through the buildings of Queens and Stranmillis college. The top 3 Irish Men and Women were:

Mens:
Nicolas Simonin - 15.03
Seamus O'Boyle - 15.24
David Healy - 15.26

Womens:
Niamh O'Boyle - 15.09
Toni O'Donovan - 16.03
Ciara Largey - 17.02

Saturday brought the extra challenge of Sunny conditions and the intricate contour detail of Tyrella sand dunes. Top Irish were:

Mens:
David Healy - 37.36
Marcus Pinker - 40.00
Nicolas Simonin - 41.47

Womens:
Niamh O'Boyle - 42.06
Toni O'Donovan - 42.50
Ciara Largey - 43.56

Sunday saw some classic Irish mountain orienteering with the festival visiting Slieve Croob. Top 3 Irish were:

Mens:
Nicolas Simonin - 82.04
David Healy - 86.16
Marcus Pinker - 86.20

Womens:
Toni O'Donovan - 71.21
Ciara Largey - 73.45
Aislinn Austin - 87.13

There were many other solid performances by the Irish seniors. Overall results were very pleasing and provide evidence of real progress in the build up to the summers major competitions.
Full JK results can be viewed here:

During the JK weekend a squad meeting was held to discuss future possible changes within the sport at the elite level, in particular possible changes in the World championship format. A brief discussion was then held on squad goals, the meeting ended with seniors modelling their Ireland Trimtex kit for a new squad photo.



Next weekend see's the seniors scrapping it out again for the glory of being Irish champion at the IOC hosted by AJAX.

Squad news

Hi All,

The highlight of spring is upon us with the JK festival kicking off in less than 2 weeks time. A full turnout of squad members is expected and some tough and enjoyable racing awaits. It is hoped that all squad members will make it to the JK social evening on Easter Sunday in Newcastle. Director of communications Fin will hopefully be on hand to take a few publicity snaps of the squad (with the majestic Mournes as a back drop!)

Speaking of photos, The IOF have launched a new photo gallery on the re-vamped IOF website. National teams can create their own gallery's and the plan is to create one for Team Ireland, focusing mainly on the photos taken last summer at WOC in Trondheim.

In late May, 12 squad members are heading to Aix-les-Bains in France to take part in the 2nd official WOC training camp and selection races. The travelling team will be taking in upto 6 training days and 2 racing days before heading back to Ireland in time for the Shamrock O-ringen!

It sure is going to be a busy summer for the seniors - here is a flavour of some of the competitions they will be aiming for:

3 days of Belgium, 10-16 June. Popular 3 day event in the forests of Belgium.

Venla and Jukola relays, 18/19 June. Worlds oldest O relays in Finland - Looks like there will be at least one Irish team this year, we hope to have alot more in 2012.

Nordic O Tour, 16-25 June. Scandinavian competition that includes the first round of the 2011 World cup. Not such a high priority for the Irish team this year, we shall be focusing more on WC rounds 7 to 10 in the Czech republic and Switzerland.

Kainuu week, 3-8 July. Traditional orienteering competition set in the heart of Finland very close to the proposed WOC2013 terrains and offering excellent preparation for squad members hoping to make the WOC2013 team.

O-Ringen, 23-29 July. The annual Swedish multi-day

Scottish 6 day, 31 July-6 August. This years 6 day promises excellent terrain around Oban on the west coast.

WOC tour, 13-20 August. If you don't make the WOC team come along and enjoy the terrain in a more relaxed atmosphere. This year the Irish juniors will also be in France cheering on their Irish heroes!

Ivan Millar
(HP Director)