Cumbrian orienteer to play internationally

18th February 2008

MICHAEL Noblett of West Cumberland Orienteers has become Northern Night Champion and been selected for the international match in Belgium at the beginning of March.

Michael Noblett on the run in a night event. He joins three other club members, Susan Skinner, and sisters Charlotte and Rosie Watson, who have also been selected for Interland. Night orienteering is, as its name suggests, done in the dark! It is great fun, developing navigation skills and teaching self reliance.

Interland is England’s only international match outside the British Isles. England has competed in this annual pentangular match against two Belgian teams (Flemish and French speaking), the Dutch and the Nordrhein-Westfalische (NW Germany) team since 1995. Each nation hosts the event in turn.

The competition is truly a team effort spanning age groups and with 42 team members in all.

Courses are of National Event standard technical difficulty. England have managed to win each year but the margins recently have been close.

Junior development has gone from strength to strength over recent years at the Wesy Cumberland Orienteers with the attainment of Club Mark accreditation.

The club has a wide membership base, with Copeland and Allerdale equally represented. The schools in both districts are very active in the orienteering league with well over 20 primaries taking part.

Roger Jackson, of WCOC, said: "The club is delighted at the selection of Michael, Susan, Rosie and Charlotte. All four have done so well over the last year, and totally deserve the recognition."

Noblett won the Northern Night Championships held last Saturday evening on High Rigg. Absolutely perfect conditions on this intricate open fell produced an extremely fast race.

Details of future events can be found on the website www.lakes-o.freeserve.co.uk or close to each event on the answerphone 01768 895539.

The winter night event series draws to a close shortly. The fell series then starts with long and short courses suitable for runners of all abilities. Details on the website.