This summer I was selected to go on the JROS Stockholm Tour, a two week orienteering training camp, based at the OK Ravinen hut just south of the city.
The terrain was incredible, especially as it was my first taste of Scandinavian orienteering. Although the complex contours and rock detail confused me at the start, after a week I felt more confident.
As well as the orienteering, we swam in crystal clear lakes nearly everyday, followed by a sauna, and enjoyed Swedish cuisine like Bilar, Gifflar and Pick n Mix. On the rest day we had an afternoon at Grona Lund theme park, followed by an evening exploring Stockholm centre.
We competed in four races over the fortnight, and although the results were not what I wanted, it was a great learning experience (especially in relocation exercises!)
I decided to take the train the Sweden, inspired by Innes Fitzgerald (see article), and combined this decision with an interrail taster trip, visiting London, Brussels, Hamburg and Stockholm on my way to the training camp. I met many people from around the world (Peru, Ukraine and Switzerland), some of whom I met with later in the week again for ‘Fika’, an amazing experience, and one of the many reasons I took the train, and will do so again in the future.
Thank you so much to all of the volunteers coaches, and the Jack Bloor Fund, who have made this experience possible for all of the athletes.
Jack Bloor Race & Fund 