Day 1 is the SPRINT RACE on MOD Stafford, hosted by Walton Chasers OC (WCH) and Royal Signals OC (RSOC). This is a little used area and will be new to most people.

Day 2 is the MIDDLE RACE on Brereton Spurs, hosted by Octavian Droobers (OD). Last used in 2014 for the British Middles and 2015 for the Junior Inter-regional, it has been remapped for the first time using LIDAR data.

Day 3 is the LONG RACE on Beaudesert and Brereton Hayes, hosted by Potteries OC (POTOC) and Wrekin Orienteers (WRE). Beaudesert has been used over many years for top class events, the last one being the Midland Champs in 2009. The tricky terrain has been remapped for the first time using LIDAR data.

Day 4 is the RELAYS on Beaudesert, hosted by Harlequins OC (HOC) and City of Birmingham OC (COBOC). The relays will use some of the same area as the long race, but the planning will not make it easy for you!

Trail-O will also be available in close proximity to the arenas of day 1 (Temp-O) and day 3 (Pre-O). Please find some time to partake in both disciplines.

Andy Yeates, JK 2018 Coordinator says: 

"On behalf of the West Midlands Orienteering Association, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Jan Kjellstrom Festival of Orienteering 2018.

Despite the many and varied pressures and challenges my team and I have endured over the past couple of years, I believe the end result will be worth it. As we enter the final phase of preparation, the realisation that my vision of a compact four day event on some of the best terrain that the West Midlands has to offer is finally coming to fruition is very exciting. Thank you to everyone who has entered, your faith in what we are doing is appreciated.

Each day’s major officials have tried to keep to the compact philosophy resulting in parking being close to the arena each day. All the finishes are in the arenas and all but one start is situated next to the arena. 

I have tried to make sure that information has been in the public domain as early as possible and I’m still tweaking the programme to make it as complete and as accurate as I can. Version 3 will be out shortly. Any further revisions after that will be minor corrections only (I hope).

As well as the usual string course for our youngest attendees, we are demo-ing what may be a first for the UK – orienteering biathlon. Basically, this is running a short orienteering course and then shooting at targets immediately afterwards against the clock. There are no live rounds as the guns use an optical system, so it is safe for all competitors. We think this could catch on, so come and give it a try.

I hope that the four days we have lined up for your enjoyment live up to your expectations, and we look forward to seeing you over the Easter weekend."

British Orienteering would like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Yeates (WCH) JK2018 Coordinator and all of the volunteer officials involved across all four days of this exciting competition.  Thank you for all your hard work and commitment in organising this event.  

Officials 

For more information and to keep up to date with this event, visit the JK2018 website here.