Matt Peters sets heart pumping course at Birchgrove
- Last Updated: Friday, 25 January 2013 20:36
Uringa club members were out in force to cope with the large crowds expected, and delivered, at the recent Sydney Summer Series event on Wednesday. Some 250+ runners of all ages came along, with families, elites and diehards all rubbing shoulders at the start. The map was named 'Snail's Bay' but there was nothing sluggish about winners Andrew Hill and Richard Green who both got 600 points in the allotted 45 minutes. With 54 of the runners getting 500 points or over it was a course for fast thinking and quicker legs.
Wendy Stevenson, who last year scored an amazing 1200 points to win the Veteran Women's category with an unsurpassed 100 point average over 26 events, is this year appearing in the Walker's category due to some injury problems. ONSW Comms predicts that this speedster will be back on sparkling form soon, but in the meantime Michelle Povah of Bennelong is doing a good job of showing Wendy how it is done in the Walking category.
Space Racing launches mission at Curl Curl
- Last Updated: Friday, 25 January 2013 20:13
Space Racing has had a successful maiden launch on Sydney's northern beaches at Curl Curl. 28 official entries plus at least another 20 younger siblings tagging along, were met with temperatures in the mid-20s (so about 20 degrees cooler than last Friday at Centennial Park), a flat course entirely off-road, and lots of lovely bushy stretches among the hockey, football, cricket and netball fields of John Fisher Park.
4km was needed to get the lot, and that's what 8 entries did under time. Big Foot's Ewan Shingler flew around in 27m18s, exactly 1 minute ahead of early pacesetter Joanna Hill of Garingal (the new W12A Oceania champion). The long trek from 'the other side' was worth it for IKO's Dominic Lane, an old hand at this format, who was third in 34m12s. There were 5 clubs represented in the first 7 placegetters, and 6 clubs all up. About half a dozen local mums and more than a dozen of their 20 kids turned up at 9.30am for their first taste of Space Racing and left asking when our next adventure is. Some of the mums are even keen to do a SSS soon. Later entrants were happy to take their time and not worry about scores, ensuring a stress-free outing in a beautiful location. Thanks again to all the volunteer coaches and helpers on the day - you help us present our sport in the best possible light to new audiences.
Our winter dates are April 17 (Bicentennial Park, SOP), July 2 (Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill) and Sep 24 (Bicentennial Park, SOP). Sydney clubs - please spread the word among your members about these adventures for juniors.
Learn from NSW Junior Elites at new training course
- Last Updated: Thursday, 24 January 2013 11:55
NSW Junior Elites are giving away their secrets this February and running an orienteering training course. Over four weeks, they will teach the skills required to succeed in the bush. In addition, the Captains of the 2012 NSW Schools Team, Matt Hill and Michele Dawson, will run a 5th session at the first Metro League of the year at Mitchell Park in order to help you get accustomed to the bush.
This course is open to both newcomers to the sport and those who are experienced in the Sydney urban events. It will take place from 8-10am on Saturday mornings, mostly on the North Shore.
If you have ever wanted to move from the streets into the bush, now is the time!
Price (covers all sessions and includes free entry to Mitchell Park event):
$75 for individuals (or $25 a week)
$100 for families
For more details, contact Matthew Hill on 0466 878 679. Pre-registration for sessions essential
SHOO Summer Saturday runners finally rewarded with cool running
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 January 2013 19:42
The weather was perfect for the first event on SHOO's Lake Annan map on Saturday 19 January and the cool conditions drew out plenty of competitors.
The course, set by John Russell, took a lot of thinking to plan a run which took advantage of both the lakes and the cascades. The elusive control 11 left most people scratching their heads. Only Patrik Gunnarsson and Michael Burton had the speed to pick it up, and with clean runs, both gained maximum 300 points. SHOO's Dean Williamson was close behind with 270 points.
Jai Cooper with Dad Steve sprinted around the Easy course in 11.11min, followed by Lachlan Brooks who met up with Mum half way round the course and left her well behind well behind at the finish. It was good to see Raewyn Chapman back orienteering.
The 21st birthday party near the assembly added interest, especially when 2 girls in stilettos came down to find out what we were doing. Shame they didn't have running shoes.
Next week SHOO's Summer Sats #4 is at UWS Macarthur - Campbelltown. This sprint map has been almost doubled in size since the run on it last year. The assembly will again be under cover in the new School of Medicine.
All results and accumulative point scores can be found on SHOO's webpage http://southernhighlands.nsw.orienteering.asn.au.