Interview with GB Elite Athlete: MEGAN CARTER-DAVIES

Place of Residence: Swansea 

Experience:  When did you start and how did you get into Orienteering? 
“I started with my Mum at our local club when I was about eight years old and got more into orienteering when I joined the Welsh Junior Squad around age 12. I was selected to the GB Junior Squad age 15, and have been competing at internationals since then, gradually improving to where I am now.” 

Coach: Mark and Alice, Emil Wingstedt, and Kevin Tobin. 

Clubs:  What orienteering clubs have you been part of? 
“I grew up with Mid Wales Orienteering Club, then also joined University of Bristol Orienteering Club and foreign club Räjämäen Rykmentti (based near Helsinki), and in 2020, I moved to Swansea and joined Swansea Bay Orienteering Club.” 

Training Routine:  What is your training routine? 
“A whole mix of speedwork on the track, hill running, easy runs, gym, cross-training, and of course orienteering. It always changes a bit depending on what races are coming up, but I also enjoy variety.” 

Race Route:  Any race routine or habits?  
“Treating every race as important as the next.”  

Favourite terrain/venue/event in the UK/World?  
“I think my top 3 events are Jukola in Finland, Maximus O Meeting which is in Spain every February in some fast terrain with huge boulders, and any summer evening Swansea Bay Orienteering Club event in the Gower sand dunes.” 

Favourite Food:  
“Pizza/pasta/Italian.” 

Other Hobbies:  
“I absolutely love going to the beach and especially bodyboarding, and then I also enjoy being creative at home when I have time.” 

Inspirations:  
“This year in particular my GB teammates have been a huge source of inspiration for me as we have shared goals for the Sprint WOC and continue raising the bar for each other. Also, my boyfriend Ben for his super-keenness all the time for orienteering and being a good target in all of the local races!” 

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?  
“Stick with it - Endure the lows and really enjoy the highs. You’ll learn so much about yourself, meet the best people and get to enjoy a huge adventure.” :) 

British Orienteering wishes you all the best Megan with your final preparations.

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Ahead of the World Orienteering Championships 2022 in Denmark, British Orienteering is posting interviews of the GB athletes selected to compete so that all members can get to know the GB team. 

Please keep an eye out for these interviews which will be posted on the British Orienteering website this week, and follow all the action live here throughout the World Orienteering Championships which start with the Sprint Relay on Sunday 26 June!

Good Luck to the British Team