Not only can Yukoners put on a good show, they can also handle a map and compass.

Whitehorse proved the territory contains some of the best orienteers in the west at the Western Canadian Orienteering Championships held here last weekend.

Colin Abbott led the way in the elite men’s class (age 21 to 34), taking the title in the 10.5-kilometre, 23-control long distance event Saturday with a time of 1:14:11 at the Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest, north of Whitehorse.

Abbott then finished second in the 4.2-km, 19-control middle distance event held Sunday at Long Lake, finishing 36 seconds back of Magnus Johansson from British Columbia.

Abbott said hosting the Westerns provided no home-field advantage.

“Even if you know a trail system really well, as soon as you get off of it, everything looks different,” said the 25-year-old, who is also a high-level cross-country skier.

“When you approach things from different angles, it can really throw you off,” he noted. “Sometimes thinking you’re really familiar with an area can be a disadvantage, because you can be over-confident.”

Whitehorse is a popular orienteering venue because of its world-class terrain said Pippa McNeil, who finished first in the 5.7-km, nine-control long distance route for women ages 35 to 44 with a time of 59:58.

The Yukoner also took victory in the class at the 2.4-km, 13-control middle distance race on Sunday.

“The terrain is fantastic here,” said the former national team member. “We have a lot of variety that’s really close to town. The woods are quite open. In open pine forest with lichen floors, you can just motor.”

Curtis Cash swept the age 12 boys category, taking all three titles, while Savannah Cash took home two of three titles in the girls’ 15 to 16 category, finishing second to rival Micah Hildes in the middle distance event.

Other Yukoners turning in top-three performances were Kimball Forrest, Darren Holcombe, Afan Jones (2), Nesta Leduc (3), Darcy Olesen, Forest Pearson, Elias Sagar, Barbara Scheck (2) and Gerry Willomitzer.

Several Yukon participants also earned top-three finishes in open and group categories. Visit www.yukonorienteering.ca/wcoc2015/index.html for full results.