On Saturday 8th September 2024, two members of ERYRI orienteering club travelled to Scotland as part of the Welsh elite national team, to represent Cymru at the Senior Home International. The SHI is a four-way competition between Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland, consisting of an individual long distance race and a middle distance relay.
Anna Drinkwater made her international debut competing in the Women’s Elite course, alongside teammates: Megan Carter-Davies, Fay Walsh, Rebecca Ward & Holly Stodgell. Against strong competition Anna performed well, finishing the 10km course in 17th place out of 22 and 3rd Welsh woman. This performance added just enough points to the team score for Wales’ women to tie with Ireland for 3rd place.
Samuel Drinkwater was representing Wales for the second time in the Men’s Elite course, but unfortunately a heavy fall and a lost dibber half way through the 12.7km course ended his chances for the day.
On Sunday the relay took place near Callander and team shortages meant that Anna was drafted in to run for the men’s A-team! Samuel ran the first leg and had a better result, just trailing the pack but keeping his Irish rivals in sight. Then Anna took over and valiantly battled round the international standard men's elite course in a very respectable time. Ben Mitchell brought home the Welsh team strongly, but without a B-team Wales were pushed into 4th place overall for the weekend.
Anna & Samuel would like to thank ERYRI and the Welsh Orienteering Association for their support, as well as Forth Valley Orienteers for hosting the event.
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