The final of three events in the Yukon Orienteering Championships was held recently on the Hillcrest Sprint Map.

Participating in the sprint event were two representatives from Orienteering Canada who where in Whitehorse to assist with preparations to host the North American and Canadian championships here in late August.

Marion Owen and Don Bayly completed the three-kilometre expert event with 19 control points, finishing in the middle of the pack in a field of 15 orienteers.

Brent Langbakk won the event in a time of 20 minutes and 30 seconds. Leif Blake finished second in a time of 22:45 and Kendra Murray was third in 23:24.

Owen and Bayly were here to help plan the two championships that will be held back-to-back.

Orienteers from around the world are allowed to participate, and more than 400 athletes from over 20 countries have already signed up.

The four-day North American championship kicks off the major event Aug. 17.

On the third leg of the Yukon championships on the sprint map, Pippa Mitchell finished first in the advanced class, covering the 2.2-km course with 15 control points in a time of 22:08. Sara Nielsen was second in 23:48 and Marg Elis was third in 30:10.

On the intermediate 1.6-km course with 14 controls, Ilianna and Glenda Koh were first in 17:04, followed by Jane Hollenbery in a time of 20:38 and Sidney Maddison in 29:10.

Stian Langbakk won the novice class, covering the 1.2-km course with 13 controls in a time of 13:44. Adney Karais was second in a time of 14:32 and Declan and Evan Wise were third in 14:50.

There were approximately 75 orienteers for the sprint map event. There is another orienteering event tonight on the Yukon College map.