After the announcement that the forest races would have to be postponed due to the extreme risk of forest fires, the organisers quickly had to change the programme and the athletes quickly adapt their expectations and preparations for the week ahead.

All athletes have dealt with the uncertainty and change to the programme extremely well after waiting so long to have a team back at the Junior World Orienteering Championships due to the pandemic.

As part of the inaugural Mixed Sprint Relay, each nation was allowed to field two teams each made up of two male and two female athletes to compete in the official medal race. Both races took place at Arena Carapito, the same place as the Individual Sprint Race took place on Monday.

The race started in the morning with the GB teams finishing in 22nd and 24th place out of a field of 53 teams.

As well as the official medal race the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) council has allowed each nation to participate in a ‘B’ race with the British quartet of Rachel Duckworth, Jim Bailey, Sam Griffin, and Iris MacMillan finishing this race in 5th (out of 25) and narrowly missing out on a 4th place.

The ban on access to the forest will remain in place until Friday 15 July and if this is not extended one of the forest races will be held on Saturday 16 July, with the decision being made today. If the race can be held this would offer some consolation to the athletes who have trained and prepared for this competition for those stronger forest-based athletes not being able to compete in their favoured discipline at a major championship.

Live Results for the GB Juniors are as follows...

GB Team:  Mixed Sprint Relay 22nd

GB Team:  Mixed Sprint Relay 24th

GB Team:  B Race- 5th

Please note:  Official results are to be announced shortly here.

Congratulations to all.