AIRIENTEERS turned a narrow defeat into victories in the Lake District this weekend.

After losing – just - in the Compass Sport Cup match near Haweswater to West Cumberland orienteers a little over a week ago, the club scored several top placings in the southern lakes last weekend.

Running in beautiful, technical terrain, Carey Martin won W60, Peter Haines was first M65 and Tony Thornley was first M70.

Thornley’s success is part of a run of form which began with winning the Northern Championships in Sheffield a fortnight ago.

Other Aire winners were Natasha Conway, third in W45, and David Williams, fourth in M55.

Ilkley local Laura King, now at university in Edinburgh, came third in the elite selection race, putting her in line for GB selection later this year.

Airienteers next big event is the JK in Surrey over Easter.

Locally, the West Yorkshire schools’ championships are in Beckett Park on Wednesday, and the spring leagues start after Easter on Wednesday evenings.