The UK Elite Orienteering League is returning for 2018. Kicking off on 24th March at the Scottish Spring weekend it runs through 10 rounds to the British Championships at Balmoral on 19th May.

The League defines the must-do races for elites and aspiring elites. Consisting of the most competitive races at the biggest events, it will provide a true test to find the best ‘all round’ orienteers in the UK. Prizes will be offer for the top three or more in each class.

All of 2017’s winners, Jonathan Crickmore (M21), Tessa Strain (W21), Alexander Chepelin (MU23&20), Megan Carter-Davies (WU23), Nathan Lawson (M20), Fiona Bunn (W20&18) and Finlay Todd (M18), went on to race for Great Britain over the summer as did many runners-up. They all shared a £600 prize fund built up due to generous donors.

At Scottish Spring the 2018 series starts fast, with a sprint race on a new map in Rosyth, and tough, with a long on Auchingarrich. Racing will then move to Cannock Chase for the JK before two weekends in the north of England. Graythwaite and Lingmoor in the Lake District host a middle and a long on 14/15th April. A week later a special Juniors-only sprint at York University is being staged on the Saturday ahead of the Northern Champs (long) at Wass. A month’s break will allow some Seniors to compete at the European Champs in Switzerland before athletes descend on Balmoral for a majestic finale to the 2018 League. 

Classes & Scoring: The same classes will be used as last season: MW21, U23, 20 and 18. Top 50 in each class get points: 60, 55, 51, 48, 46, 45, 44…. 3, 2, 1. Best 4 scores from Rounds 1-9 plus the Final. At least 1 and maximum 3 scores from any one discipline (sprint/middle/long) to count.

The aim of the League is to maintain a healthy domestic elite scene and encourage juniors and seniors to stay in the sport and compete at the highest level. We do this by promoting the League to competitors and the wider orienteering public and rewarding success.

Over the last three years forty-five different athletes have received support and went on to compete at Junior and Senior World Championships as well as European Champs, Euromeeting, European Youth Orienteering Championships (MW16-18) and the Junior European Cup (MW18-20).

Thanks to Deeside Orienteering & Leisure Maps, GGMaps and generous individuals, over £600 was distributed to winners last season and we are aiming to reach a higher figure this year. With the recent reduction in central funding for performance athletes, donating to the prize fund is way to ensure support for multiple athletes with their training and racing expenses needed to compete on the international stage.

We are also looking for commercial sponsors who could support the League through donation of money or prizes. In return we can offer exciting content, promotion through our social media accounts, in articles and at events, plus association with the elite orienteering scene.

For further information about the League or to make a donation please visit the website ukeliteoleague.org.uk or email ukeliteoleague@gmail.com. Keep up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and following @ukeliteoleague on Instagram and Twitter.

On behalf of Duncan Birtwistle (Octavian Droobers), UK Elite Orienteering League Coordinator