Throughout June, the Yukon Orienteering Association (YOA) completed its Yukon championship races.

As reported by the Star, the YOA has modified its races to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Instead of being held on one day, the courses were in place for one week and orienteers used an app called UsynligO to show they've reached a control.

Beginning June 17 and going until the 23rd, the territories orienteers competed in the sprint distance starting at Porter Creek Secondary School. The race featured the four categories: novice, intermediate, advanced and expert.

The 1.4-kilometre novice course was won by junior orienteer Molly Hanscom-Haines in 12:38. Fellow junior Emily Kralisch-Seguin was 22 seconds behind and Rachel Moser came third.

Two junior orienteers topped the intermediate course. Anneke Aasman set the pace finishing in 15:50. Carl Turcotte was not far behind, completing the course in 17:42. Sarah Aasman came third.

Fifty-nine seconds are all that separated the top three orienteers on the advanced course.

Jeremy Johnson had the winning time of 15:22, and Kai Bruce came second at 16 minutes even. Barbara Scheck was third, posting an end time of 16:21.

Colin Abbott comfortably topped the expert course in 16:04. There was some jostling for the second and third spots, and it was Forest Pearson, 17:39, who came out on top, edging Benoit Turcotte by one second.

In the middle of June, from the 10th to 16th, the orienteers raced the middle distance portion of the three-week championship. The four courses began at the Hidden Lakes Parking Area on Chadburn Lake Road.

Throughout the week, 75 orienteers took to the courses to compete, and enjoy the lakes and vistas the routes had to offer.

The 1.8-kilometre novice course had two familiar names at the top. Hanscom-Haines, 15:39, was the winner followed by Kralisch-Sequin. Ian Turcotte came third.

The 2.8-kilometre intermediate course results were split between juniors and adults.

Aasman was the top junior, finishing in 33:42. Stian Langbakk came second and Carl Turcotte placed third.

Like the sprint race, Johnson was the top adult finisher in his class, completing the course in 27:57. Kelly Tabuteau was the runner-up and Moser rounded out the top three.

Scheck only needed 36:18 to complete the 3.1-kilometre advanced course. She outpaced Erik Blake and Philippa McNeil for the top spot.

The expert course had orienteers navigate 4.1 kilometres. Abbott posted the winning time of 29:40. Leif Blake wasn't far completing the course in 32:16. Pearson was the third-place orienteer.

The next course has already been set, and opened on Canada Day and begins at the Pumphouse Pond off the Fish Lake Road. Orienteers are required to sign an additional waiver because the event traverses ATCO Electric Yukon property.