The beginning of November sees the return of the Junior World Championships in Portugal, concluding the event with the Forest Races, which were unfortunately unable to take place in July.

The original forest races were cancelled due to the high risk of forest fires in the competition area, due to the extreme heat that most of Europe was facing at that time.  The Sprint event was able to go ahead, with the athletes having to race in temperatures close to 40 degrees, and the organisers were able to stage a mixed sprint relay for the athletes so there was some programme for them during their stay.

However, this has meant a return trip for all 12 athletes to conclude their World Championship event. This return trip has been generously supported by the Orienteering Foundation, who have recognised the financial pressures of travelling to Portugal for a second time has placed on the athletes and has allowed the trip to be subsidised.

Peter Molloy “It is extremely generous of them to take such a decision and although I can't speak for anyone else, I know that it will certainly make a huge difference to me in terms of attending the competition.

I have received support from the Orienteering Foundation in the past, so to receive it again is a real treat! So yes, all I can say is a massive Thank You - it has such a profound impact on us all.

The Championship event will start on the 4^th November with the Middle event, followed by the relay on the Saturday and Long on the Sunday. The delayed date for the races has allowed the athletes an extended time for training and preparation with some of the athletes gaining experience at World University Championships and athletes such as Peter Molloy, Rachel Brown, and Pippa Carcas also competing at Senior World Cup events this summer.

Taking place in Aguiar Da Beira, the area is located in an area mostly covered by pine trees, with moderate to high climbs and large areas of bare rock. The runnability varies from place to place from very easy to very difficult

The team will be supported in Portugal by the newly appointed Development Coach Tom Bray, who has had chance to work with the athletes throughout the summer including at the International Competitions, and Senior athletes Fiona Bunn and Peter Hodkinson, who will also be able to offer plenty of experience as Senior GB athletes.

We wish the team all the best in their final international event of the year, and once again thank the Orienteering Foundation for their support to the athletes to enable them to compete.

Team Staff: Tom Bray, Peter Hodkinson and Fiona Bunn