The first race of the European Orienteering Championships took place a few metres away from the famous Roman Amphitheatre Arean in Verona, with the Individual Sprint Qualification and Finals.

In the Men’s competition, Great Britain had a strong team and with good performances across the qualification round, four  of the six athletes secured a place in the final. Set on a very quick, flat course it was Ralph Street who came out on top finishing in an agonising joint 4^th place, just missing the medals by 1 second, tying with Martin Regborn (SWE).

Nathan Lawson came in 20^th place, and Peter Hodkinson made an excellent return to international competition following a long-standing injury finishing 32^nd, with Jonny Crickmore in 41^st.

Mattias Kyburz (SUI) was crowned in victory with Kasper Fosser (NOR) in 2^nd, and Tuomas Heikkila (FIN) in 3^rd – just five seconds separated the top 3.