Alex Massey.
As a child Alex Massey feared being lost.
These days the 20-year-old from Tenambit is lost more often than not, but manages to get back on track in good time.
Massey has used this skill to his advantage in recent times and he will put them to the test on the international stage next week when he represents Australia at the World Junior Orienteering Championships in Slovakia.
“This is something I have been working towards for a few years now but it wasn’t always the case,” Massey said.
“Dad first got me into it [orienteering] when I was about 10 and I never really enjoyed it because I was scared of getting lost.
“About six years ago I started doing more competitive events for a bit of fun around Newcastle but when I started going to state events I started to think that I could make a national team.”
That time has arrived and after flying out on Friday with his eight Australian teammates Massey will land in the town of Kosice for a training camp in the lead up to the main event.
The World Junior Orienteering Championships will incorporate sprint, middle and long distance events as well as a relay.
The championships will run from July 7 to July 14.
