Junior News
SO success at SE long distance champs
We had a very successful day at the South East Long Champs at Holmbury Hill on 11 Nov 2018.
Undulating woodland on the Surrey Hills (with the summer vegetation still prominent) made for enjoyable, if physical, courses. SO recipients were dominant at the prize giving with 23 medalists.
Junior Inter-Regional Championships
It was the Junior Inter-Regional Championships (JIRC's) on 29th and 30th Sept 2018 with Individual Races at Chatsworth House and Relays at Carsington Pastures. SO have a number of juniors in the South East Junior Squad (SEJS) - Amelia, Maddie, Sam, Stanley, Ffion, Scarlet & Tommy and they all helped the team to an amazing 4th place. The best result since 2006!
Juniors Orienteering Activity DayWed 24 October
British Orienteering sponsored a 'youth activity day' for M/W10-14's at High Ashurst Outdoor Activity Centre near Dorking on Wednesday 24th October. Aimed at juniors from London and the South East, the day included orienteering exercises during the morning (including planning courses), as well as outdoor activities like high ropes, climbing wall and archery.
Peter Palmer Relays
On Saturday 8th Sept 2018, a minibus containing 9 SO Juniors and 3 adults headed north to Tankersley Woods in Sheffield for the annual Peter Palmer Relays – a team race that starts in the dark at 05:00 in the morning (first alarm clock this year hit us at 3:55am!).
Stan Heap on the first leg brought the team back in an incredible 2nd place, handing over to sister Scarlet who put in another comfortable night leg, navigating through the complex contours and twisty path network.
Southdowners bring home the Handicap Trophy at the SE Relays
In June 2018, Southdowns fielded 11 teams at the SE Relays at Holmbush. Juniors (and some seniors) donned their war paint and got ready to do battle with the terrain.
Ultimate success went to our Handicap team of Chris Hooker, Tommy Heap and Will Heap winning the Handicap Trophy, our Women's Open Team of Bryony Crickmore, Maddie Bartlett and Anna Chapman winning the silver medal and Paul Luttman, John Morris and Neil Crickmore with a bronze in the Men's Open.
Southdowners sprint to medal positions
A small group of Southdowners took to the train to run in the South East Sprint Champs at the Olympic Park.
Congratulations to gold medalists Jack Kosky and Scarlet Heap, silver medalists Ffion Jones, Paul Luttman and Robin Smith and bronze medalist Anna Chapman.