September 27 - Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest, Night O
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History and Success

Brief History

Seeds of orienteering in the Yukon were first sown in 1974 when three Yukoners participated in the historic National Orienteering Leadership Course in Guelph. In 1976, Bob Kaill and Lawrence Kristalovich produced a small black and white map of a portion of what is now our Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre map, at the intersection of the Alaska Highway and Hamilton Boulevard. These seeds did not bear fruit, and the whereabouts of the first Yukon orienteers is not known (Bob Kaill, not a Yukoner, moved to Sweden where he is still active in orienteering).

Orienteering really took off when a couple of orienteers from "outside" moved north in the mid-1980's - Suat Tuzlak from Alberta and Afan Jones from B.C. They were able to spark the interest of the locals and, with a colour map of the Mount McIntyre ski trails area, hosted the Association's first meet, a ski-O, on January 6, 1985. Eighteen people competed on either the 3.5 or the 7.5 km. course. Some of the early volunteers responsible for the strong foundation of the current association include Ella LeGresley, Helen Slama, Jean Carey and Beth Hawkings. In the late 1980's Juri Peepre and Ross Burnett moved north from B.C., adding further support.

Growth since then has been fairly steady. We now proudly have more than 15 colour maps in Whitehorse itself, plus maps in Carcross, Mt. Lorne and Haines Junction. This selection of maps are regularly used at the series of Wednesday evening meets which regularly have 60 – 90 participants. In addition, annual territorial championships have been organized since 1989.

The Yukon Orienteering Association has hosted the Western Canadian Orienteering Championships in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2015. In 2004, the Yukon Orienteering Association organized the Canadian Orienteering Championships, marking the first time our national championships were held north of 60! In 2011, the association hosted both the Western Canadian Championships and the Canadian Championships. This 6-race series also included three World Ranking Events. In 2018, the association took on an even larger series of races, hosting the biennial North American Championships (an IOF Regional event) and the Canadian Championships.

Successes

Ross Burnett, who was the driving force behind the growth over the years, was named to the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame in 2004. This foundation of maps and regular events in combination with coaching and Development Programs has meant that the Yukon Orienteering Association has produced a long list of top results, including at the Canadian Orienteering Championships and the North American Orienteering Championships. The club also boasts numerous past and present National Team Members.

World Orienteering Championships

Athlete Year(s)
Pia Blake 2019
Kerstin Burnett 2013
Ross Burnett 1989
Pam James 2005, 2006, 2007
Brent Langbakk 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Jennifer MacKeigan 2018, 2019
Philippa McNeil 2003, 2004, 2005
Justine Scheck 2006
Katherine Scheck 2003

Junior World Orienteering Championships

Athlete Year(s)
Colin Abbott 2008, 2009, 2010
Leif Blake 2016, 2017
Pia Blake 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Trevor Bray 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Kerstin Burnett 2012
Lee Hawkings 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Jennifer MacKeigan 2013
Caelan McLean 2015, 2016, 2017
Kendra Murray 2011, 2012, 2013
Forest Pearson 1991, 1993
Adam Scheck 1999, 2000
Justine Scheck 2006
Katherine Scheck 2003

World Masters Orienteering Championships

Medals Won By Yukon Athletes

Athlete Year Medals
Nesta Leduc (F75) 2009 Gold (long), Silver (sprint)
Nesta Leduc (W-80A) 2013 Bronze (long),
Bronze (sprint)

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