New Brunswick orienteers captured the top three positions in the women's 14-year-old class at the Canadian Orienteering Championships held in the Ottawa area from August 10 to August 14. For the classic distance, Heather Smith of Waterside finished first followed by sister Victoria Smith then Vicky Whaley of Fredericton in third position. The same trio won the short event with Victoria Smith finishing first followed by Vicky Whaley then Heather Smith.
In the elite men and women's categories, third place finishes were earned by siblings Mike and Sandy Smith of Waterside. Other medal winners for the classic distances include a first place for Luella Smith of Waterside in the F45 category. Second places were awarded to Daniel Smith of Hampton in the M12 class, Charles Smith, also from Hampton, in M13, Graham St-Laurent of Fredericton in M16, and Hampton's Sheila Smith in the F40.
For the short distance championships, Sandy Smith finished first in the women's elite category. Other first place positions were earned by Roisin Whaley of Fredericton for F19, Sheila Smith for F40, and Luella Smith for F45. Daniel Smith won another silver medal for the M12 class while Rachel St-Laurent of Fredericton also received silver in the F12 class. Third place medals were received by Charles Smith in M14, Alex Whaley of Fredericton in M16, Barbara St-Laurent of Fredericton in F45, David Cameron, also of Fredericton, in M45, and Ed Smith of Waterside in M50.
The relay race was won by a team comprised of siblings Wil, Mike and Sandy Smith of Waterside with Doug Mahoney of Hillsborough. Based on their performances during the championships, Wil and Sandy Smith have been pre-selected to the national team for the world championships in Norway next year.
The Freda Wales trophy was awarded to the Atlantic region for earning the most points by orienteers below the age of 21. All Atlantic junior orienteers were from New Brunswick.