Every two years the British Schools Orienteering Association send a team of 40 juniors from across England to compete at the ISF World Schools Orienteering Championships. For the fifth consecutive time, Josh Jenner went as the coach for the Junior Boys Select Team. The 2017 edition was held in Palermo, Sicily with youngsters from 22 nations taking part. The competition consists of two main races, a middle distance and a long distance plus a friendship relay.
Long & Middle distance races
Both the middle and the long distance races were held in the mountain town of Ficuzza. The terrain was particularly challenging for orienteering both physically and navigationally which provided an excellent competition for the world championships.
Second place overall for the Junior Boys Select Team coached by Josh Jenner
Full results can be found here on the ISF website.
Friendship relay
The Friendship relay ventured into the bustling streets of Palermo Old Town. As an ‘informal’ part of the championships, the juniors (and coaches) are teamed up with athletes from different countries. Between them, they have to visit all the controls on their map and meet at three specific locations on the course. The first team to do this and make it back, wins. The challenge is not only the orienteering but finding a way to communicate with your team mates!
World Schools Orienteering Championships 2019 – Estonia
The British Schools Orienteering Association
For more information on how to get involved in Schools Orienteering and the competitions that take place, visit theBritish Schools Orienteering Association website. Membership to the BSOA is FREE and you will receive up to date information on everything to do with Schools Orienteering and the two annual national championships.