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Share  Tweet Tuesday 11th May 2021

The First International Orienteering Competition in over a year starts this week, Switzerland (13 - 16 May)

The Orienteering World Cup and European Orienteering Championships in Switzerland is ready to go and starts on Thursday 13 May with the Sprint Relay!

The International Orienteering Federation have reported 125 men and 107 women have entered the European Orienteering Championships (EOC) from 28 nations.  All are raring to go after a pause in full international competition of more than 18 months; the last time the world’s orienteering elite gathered together was for the World Cup Finals in China in October 2019.  A good total of athletes for EOC, although some countries are depleted in numbers due to national travel restrictions. The athletes will face obligatory testing and life in ‘bubbles’. All communication with the organisers will be on-line and, the most noticeable element, there will be no spectators. But out in the terrain, on the courses, competition will be fast and furious! We anticipate a large following for the TV programmes and IOF Live streaming.

Sprint is the theme here, the first time an IOF championships has a fully urban format. There are three competitions: Sprint Relay, Knock-out Sprint and Individual Sprint. Many of the world’s top sprint stars are in the entry lists, including IOF Sprint World Ranking leaders Tove Alexandersson, Sweden and Yannick Michiels, Belgium.

Just three elite athletes will represent Great Britain in the EGK European Orienteering Championships in Neuchâtel, Switzerland taking place on the 13 - 16 May 2021. 

Despite challenging organistional conditions caused by the Corona Pandemic, the competition programme remains unchanged, but with the focus on the health and safety of the competitors, there will be no spectators on site.

Due to the Covid Restrictions, British Orienteering are only able to send a limited number of GB athletes to this competition.  This will be the first international competition in over a year.

Athletes representing Great Britain are:

Women

Men

Megan Carter- Davies Thomas Wilson
Jo Shepherd  

Congratulates to Thomas Wilson who is making his first senior international appearance. 

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Programme and Timetable

Please note:  GB will not be represented in the Relay at this competition.  Unfortunately there were not enough athletes to make a team.  However, GB will be represented in the individual races.  Best wishes to our GB elites! 

Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Neuchâtel

10:00 - 18:00

Free practice

Thursday, 13 May 2021, Neuchâtel, Maladière

Sprint Relay

09:00 - 15:00   (UK time 08:00 - 14:00)

Free practice

16:40   (UK time 15:40)

Start of the Sprint Relay

17:40   (UK time 16:40)

Finish Sprint Relay

18:15   (UK time 17:15)

Award ceremony

Friday, 14 May 2021, St. Blaise

Knockout Sprint Qualification

10:00 - 16:00   (UK time 09:00 - 15:00)

Free practice

15:00   (UK time 14:00)

First Start Qualification Men

15:45   (UK time 14:45)

First Start Qualification Women

Saturday, 15 May 2021, Neuchâtel, Place-des-Halles

Knockout Sprint Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals

from 13:20   (UK time 12:20)

Men's Quarter Finals

from 13:50   (UK time 12:50)

Women's Quarter Finals 

from 15:10   (UK time 14:10)

Men's Semi-Finals 

from 15:45   (UK time 14:45)

Women's Semi-Finals

from 16:20   (UK time 15:20)

Final Men

from 16:40   (UK time 15:40)

Final Women

17:00   (UK time 16:00)

Award Ceremony

Sunday 16 May 2021, Neuchâtel, Place-des-Halles

Individual Sprint

13:10   (UK time12:10)

Sprint men and women (top 40 each)

14:10   (UK time  13:10)

Last woman at the Finish

15:15   (UK time 14:15)

Last man at the Finish

15:40   (UK time 14:40)

Award Ceremony

The first international competition in over a year

British Orienteering would like to wish Megan, Jo and Thomas all the very best as they get set to compete in Switzerland this week.

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Watch the action live!  Check out the full TV broadcast table here.

For more information visit the European Orienteering Championships webiste here.

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