Photo:  Great Britain Mixed Sprint Relay Team (left to right): Charlotte Ward, Peter Hodkinson, Kris Jones, Cat Taylor.

It has been an exciting weekend in Stromstad, Sweden with two podiums and several personal bests. 

Kris’s racing has been outstanding and it is inspirational to see him deliver an almost perfect performance at the very highest level.  

Photo:  Great Britain Kris Jones (4th in the Sprint) on the World Orienteering Championships podium in Stromstad, Sweden.

Photo:  Kris Jones at the prize-giving ceremony.

Yesterday was a rest day. Last minute preparations for the Middle distance, the prize-giving and podium celebrations in Stromstad and the all-important ‘meet the team’ picnic back here at our accommodation. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all our supporters in particular those who have travelled to Sweden but also those of you who are at home watching and cheering as the races unfolds.  There are three British regional squad training camps out here at the moment and we really appreciate their enthusiastic support.  I look forward to welcoming them to the World Championships Team in the near future.  Every World Championships and Olympic medal starts with a seemingly impossible dream. 

Today it is back to work. Whilst dreams of winning medals and getting top places are motivating through the long dark and often damp winter months there is no room for thinking about the end result today, race day is all about executing the processes correctly.  Let  go of the need to get a result.  Let go of any fear of failure and embrace the excitement and challenge of the course you are presented with.  All our athletes will stand on the start line with the confidence that comes from being well prepared. The athletes know the hard work is behind them and that race day is about ‘trying softer’ and to achieve this they will all have very clear specific goals focused on delivering a strong orienteering performance. Most of these goals will be about doing the basic skills accurately for example compass bearings, knowing where you enter the circle, exit direction, allowing yourself time to read the map and make good decisions, goals that help one stay focused on the task in hand.  The sprinters have laid down the gauntlet and I am sure the forest athletes, and of course Ralph and Jo who are doing both, will rise to the challenge.  We wish them all the very best.

Follow the Middle distance race today on:  http://liveresults.woc2016.se/followfull.php?comp=11818&lang=en

Start times (BST)

Ralph Street 14:16

Graham Gristwood 14:36

Hector Haines 14:40

Jo Shepherd  16:52

Jess Tullie   17:02

Hollie Orr 17:34

Item posted by Jennie Taylor, Marketing Manager on behalf of Liz Campbell, Lead Coach