Silver medal at European Youth Orienteering Championships

Published: June 25, 2024

Scottish runners enjoyed some success in Poland at the weekend, with James Hammond (Forth Valley Orienteers) taking a silver medal in the M18 long distance – apparently GB’s first ever forest medal in EYOC history! He was only 6 seconds from the gold.

**James Hammond with his silver medal** Photo Credit: Judith Bell

Finn Selmer Duguid (Tayside Orienteers) also did really well, with a fine 6th place in the M16 race. Finlay McLuckie (Moravian) was a creditable 14th in M16 and Laurence Ward 31st in M18.

**Finn Selmer Duguid with this Diploma** Photo Credit: Judith Bell

Scarlett Kelly (Forth Valley Orienteers) was the best female Brit, with 20th in W16. Ruth Gooch (Mar Orienteering Club) was the best of W18 Brits, with 33rd place.

In the sprint, Laurence Ward (M18) was the best placed Scot, with 18th place and Emily Atkinson (East Lothian Orienteers) was 21st in the W16 category.

In the relays, the best result of the day for the British teams was 8th place for the W16, with Emily Atkinson and Scarlett Kelly (Forth Valley Orienteers) putting in great runs against some top competition. James Hammond had the 3rd best time on the last leg of the M18 relay, taking the team from 21st to 15th. Finlay McLuckie and Finn Selmer Duguid were in the M16 team finishing 13th, and Ruth Gooch ran the first leg for the W18 team finishing 18th.

**The GB EYOC Team before the parade** Photo Credit: Phil Vokes

James Hammond had this to say about the weekend – “It’s so nice to see the last few years of hard work pay off with a great result and the team spirit could not have been better! The future looks very bright for GB at EYOC”. He is off next to the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Czechia.