Last Scottish Orienteering League event of the 2024 season
The last weekend in October saw Badenoch and Strathspey Orienteering Club (BASOC) hosting the fifth and last Scottish Orienteering League event of the 2024 season at Alvie near Aviemore. The offering of a area not used recently in the Speyside area meant that over 320 competitors had the opportunity to experience a stunning location in the delightful autumnal colours.
As ever nothing goes to plan with the storm damage caused by the winter storms in January 2024 meaning that Inshriach could not be used as planned. As ever BASOC pivoted admirably and Alvie & Dalraddy Estates were able to accommodate the event – even managing to help when the weather caused changes to parking fields and moving cattle to allow an easier walk to the start.
The usual courses provided a variety of challenge to those taking part but it was great to see a Speyside Wildcat string course on offer to entertain the youngest orienteers and over 23 intrepid young orienteers (aged 3 up) enjoyed discovering the various wildcats. These courses help inspire and keep our youngest members entertained and are what makes SOLs such a great experience. Some great planning meant that there intrepid youngsters experienced some varied terrain – rough and steep in places but also included all the things a young orienteer is looking to explore a stream, ruins, boulders and wee crags.
The provisional results for the 2024 SOL League, by age class and course, can be found on the Scottish Orienteering League page here.
The last SOL of the season was also the 10th event of the Scottish Inter Club Championships and incorporated the individual portion of the Junior Inter Area event which sees juniors from the three areas of Scotland (East, North and West) competing for the honour of raising the trophy ( more on both of these in other news items). North followed on from their relay triumph on the Saturday to take the honour.
This event would not be able to take place without the efforts of all the volunteers especially Hilary Quick (planner), Stephen Bingham (assistant planner), Jo Cumming (organiser), Janette McLeod (assistant organiser) all from BASOC and Jon Musgrave (Controller) from MAROC and we are very grateful for everyone’s efforts in making it all seem so effortless.
