WCPD Head of Fleet wins Orienteering double gold at “railway Olympics”
Martin Ward won twice at the International Railway Sports Association (USIC) championships in Switzerland
- Martin Ward wins two gold medals at International Railway Sports Association (USIC) championships.
- He defended both his sprint and long-distance Orienteering titles at the competition in Celerina, Switzerland.
- Boasting six gold medals over last 21 years, he holds the most in this USIC event.
West Coast Partnership Development’s Head of Fleet has won two gold medals in a prestigious international industry sports tournament.
Martin Ward achieved the double win in Orienteering at the International Railway Sports Association (USIC) championships at this year’s event in Celerina, Switzerland.
Successfully defending his titles in the sprint and long-distance categories, the two wins have taken his total in Orienteering at USIC competitions to six gold medals over 21 years which has made him the most decorated ever participant in the event.
The International Railway Sports Association championships, like the Olympics in Paris, take place every four years, however this year’s event was delayed by 12 months due to Covid. It first started in 1995, and Martin has competed in all eight competitions, picking up his first Orienteering gold in 2003.
Orienteering is a sport where competitors must race from start and finish via a series of checkpoints, across terrain unfamiliar to them, using a compass and map.
Martin started orienteering in 1983 with Mole Valley Orienteering Club (MVOC), and was part of the Sheffield University Orienteering Club (ShUOC) whilst there for studies. He then joined South Yorkshire Orienteers, and he is also the Chair of Senior Selectors for the English Orienteering Council.
Speaking after the event, he said, "Winning both the individual race categories, and retaining my USIC orienteering titles is an incredible feeling - especially as I was up against some tough opposition!
"I really enjoy the USIC sports competitions as they a fantastic opportunity for UK rail industry teams to meet and compete with railway colleagues from all over Europe. I am looking forward to defending my titles again in four years’ time!”
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Notes to editors
About West Coast Partnership Development
West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) is designing and mobilising new high-speed services for the UK. These services will run on the new High Speed 2 (HS2) route and the existing railway, delivering better services between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria and Scotland.
Its goal is to maximise the benefits of the significant investment from the Department for Transport into the new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway, as well as the upgrades to the railway on the West Coast Mainline.
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