Led by a trio of athletes: Alison Crocker (Amherst, MA), Alexandra Jospe (Newton, MA), Adrian Owens (Craftsbury, VT), the United States Ski Orienteering team produced a series of national bests at Round 1 of the 2012 Ski Orienteering World Cup, held January 30 – February 5 in Lake Tahoe. Hosted by the Bay Area Orienteering Club and sanctioned by Orienteering USA and the International Orienteering Federation, this was the first Ski Orienteering World Cup event held in the USA.

The women’s team was led by Crocker and Jospe, who each recorded podium and near-podium finishes in a series of World Cup, North American Championship and United States Championship races. This was highlighted by Crocker’s fourth place finish in the World Cup Long and Jospe’s gold medal in the North American Sprint.

One the men’s side, Owens delivered a series of gold medal performances including the North American Sprint and the United States Sprint.

“We recognize the talent and dedication of all of our athletes and congratulate them on a strong World Cup performance,” said Peter Goodwin, Orienteering USA President. “Through their hard work the sport of orienteering in its many forms continues to grow in the United States.”

Orienteering is a race in wilderness navigation, where an athlete uses a map and compass to complete a course; whether on cross-country skis, foot or mountain bike.

For more information on orienteering, visit www.orienteeringusa.org.