Kristian Jones (Forth Valley Orienteers / Swansea Bay Orienteering Club / Ulster University) became the first orienteer to win an individual gold at the World University Orienteering Championships when he took the gold medal in the Sprint event on the first day of the 2016 Championships in Miskolc, Hungary.

Kris’s winning time of 13 minutes and 49 seconds was 33 seconds faster than his nearest rival. Delighted with the result, he said:  “I had good confidence before the start and felt prepared for the Sprint race. I felt a little bit on the edge for the first section.  However, I was running well and didn't make any mistakes, just a bit of hesitation. I knew I had done well but with a strong start field I knew I couldn't let up. I am really pleased.”

The team, who are representing British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) as well as British Orienteering, are also celebrating this as the first gold medal for BUCS in the 2016 cycle.

It was a tremendous achievement all round with five of the seven athletes in the Sprint event finishing in the top ten.

In the men’s event, Will Gardner (Sheffield University Orienteering Club / University of Sheffield) finished in  6th place and Peter Hodkinson (Nottinghamshire Orienteering Club / University of Tulsa) finished in a very credible 9th position.

The Women’s Sprint event saw Charlotte Ward (Humberside and Lincolnshire Orienteers / University of Sheffield) and Megan Carter-Davies (Mid Wales Orienteering Club / University of Bristol) finish 7th and 8th respectively.

Charlotte Ward said, "I am satisfied that I achieved my goal of a top 10 performance, and feel so happy that we were able to deliver quality performances as a team. This wasn't my best race, but I'm taking a lot of confidence and enthusiasm with me to the Sprint Relay where I believe we will produce a brilliant team result." 

There were further good results from Jonny Crickmore (Edinburgh University Orienteering Club / Heriot Watt University) finishing just outside the top ten in 12th position and Katie Reynolds (Edinburgh University Orienteering Club / University of Edinburgh) finishing in 41st.

The GBR Mixed Sprint Relay team will be in action today and comprises of Megan Carter-Davies, Peter Hodkinson, Kris Jones and Charlotte Ward - all top ten finishers in the individual event.

Jackie Newton, Performance Manager at British Orienteering, said:  “This is a great start to the World University Orienteering Championships for the Great Britain team and I am thrilled. Five top ten’s is superb and a gold medal is a tremendous inspiration for everyone involved with the team and with British Orienteering.”

The World University Orienteering Championships continues this week with the Mixed Sprint Relay taking place today followed by Wednesday (3 August 2016) = Middle distance race and Thursday (4 August 2016) = Relay race respectively.  Competing GB athletes can be followed LIVE on the World University Orienteering Championship website www.wuoc2016.hu

Best wishes to all Great British athletes competing in these races!

Item posted by Jennie Taylor, Marketing Manager