SWITZERLAND'S Daniel Hubmann (pictured right), currently ranked number two in the world, was a surprise entrant to the National Orienteering Event run by Lakeland Orienteering Club on the Caw above the Duddon Valley on Sunday.

He put in a performance befitting such a competitor by winning the M21L course (11.7km 615m of climb) in 77.32 mins, 11 minutes ahead of Brendon Bolland (Warrior OC) wiith Hector Haines (AIRE), a promising young GB orienteer third.

It was a pity that more of the GB squad were not present to meet and compete against this world class athlete Those who did take part enjoyed good conditions and some excellent courses planned by Lakeland's Dick Towler and Martin Smith. Caw provides classic orienteering in open terrain with complex rock detail and steep slopes rising to a peak, which allows plenty of scope for legs across contours and changes in direction.

Hubmann, not surprisingly, also dominated the third of the Rock and Run short race series held on the adjacent Stickle Pike in very similar terrain on Saturday.

The best performances for local orienteers at the National Event came in the women's age groups with Liz Campbell, Warrior OC, and Stella Lewsley, Borderliners OC, both running in younger age classes, winning W21L (8.3km in 66.07) and W35L (6.7km in 60.57) respectively. Jenny Wren, also Borderliners OC, won W50L (5.2Km 62.26) while Lakeland's Carol McNeill and Verena Johnson won W60L (4.4km in 56.00) and W70L (3.9km in 61.56) respectively.

In the men's classes West Cumberlands Michael Noblett (M18L 8.3km in 68.19) and Michael Billinghurst (M40L 9.3km in 71.48), and Lakeland's Bob Stewardson (M75L 3.9km in 62.49) were the only main class winners.

Lakeland's Derek Allison and Warriors Dave Binks won the short races for M50 (5.3km 44.53) and M60 (4.5km 69.49).

Lakeland juniors Stewart Allison (M10) and Max O'Hara (M14) won the B races in their age groups.