The Yukon Orienteering Association (YOA) 2022 season got off to a great start Wednesday on the Downtown Sprint map. The individual and naturally distancing nature of orienteering allowed YOA to run even with the COVID restrictions the past two summers, but how lovely it was to see the smiling faces as participants mingled near the registration table, happy to see each other and also celebrate World Orienteering Day.

Two courses were offered. Both started in Rotary Peace Park, winding their way north between the river and Second Avenue, as far north as Strickland Street, before making their way back to the park to finish.

There was a good showing from the Junior Squad with many of the youngsters now competent to head out on their own. Phineas Pearson led the field on the shorter course with a time of 17 minutes, 14 seconds over the 2.2 km challenge. Oliver Kralisch-Seguin, in 20:04, just eked out second place by two seconds from Erik Embacher and his father, Kevin. Younger brother Carl Embacher and mom Sarah Johnson were close behind in 21:25.

On the longer 2.6 km course, Forest Pearson was the top finisher in 13:46, followed by Benoit Turcotte in 14:31. The top woman was Beatriz Sanguino in 16:09, just ahead of local Pia Blake in 16:23. Beatriz is a member of the Portuguese National Orienteering Team and has come to Whitehorse to coordinate the summer programs and provide coaching to the junior members. YOA is thrilled to have Beatriz share her skills and enthusiasm with us over the next few months.

As always, thank you to the volunteers who made the event happen: Barbara Scheck, Craig Brooks, Afan Jones, Judith Vangulick and Karen McKenna.

The next event is Wednesday, May 18th on the Riverdale map. Please check the website yukonorienteering.ca for the start location and other details.

–Submitted by Barbara Scheck.