International superstars at NSW Junior Squad camp
- Last Updated: Friday, 21 December 2012 08:45
Lena Eliasson (currently 3rd in World Rankings) and David Andersson (Bronze WOC relay 2011) were at the recent NSW Junior Squad camp in Tocal, training with the youngsters and offering advice, encouragement and a physical demonstration of what it takes to be at the front of the international orienteering pack. The two Swedes are an advance party of internationals who are taking advantage of the great orienteering festivals available over the holiday break, starting with the Christmas 5 Days in Victoria and moving on to the Oceania Carnival in New Zealand in the New Year.
The heat over the weekend didn't stop the visitors or the Junior Squad training hard ahead of these major competitions. The squad started with a super speedy sprint at Ourimbah University on Saturday bringing out the competitive instincts with a mass start, followed by an evening of some close questioning of the internationals for hints and tips. A Saturday workout at Pelaw in the morning, followed by a swim and sand dune training kept up the pace, with Sunday serving up the main event 'The Camp Champs'. This year's winners were Nicola Blatchford, Daniel Hill, Georgia Jones and squad newbie Alastair George.
Important - embargo areas announced
- Last Updated: Monday, 17 December 2012 11:00
The following areas are embargoed from now until the NSW state championships in September 2013.
Middle distance championship – the area covered by the Blue Gum Hills map. The area bounded by Newcastle Link Road (south), Minmi Road (west), forest road (north) and the powerline clearing (east). The park/picnic area is not included in the embargo area.
Long distance championship – the area covered by the Sand Dunes map at Bob’s Farm.
Reserve area – the area covered by the Poppethead and Astley’s Tower maps as used for the NOL events in May 2012.
Once all of the access issues are resolved with the proposed championships areas the embargo may be lifted from the reserve area.
Anyone requiring further information should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Final 2012 Western Summer Series - today!
- Last Updated: Monday, 17 December 2012 09:19
The 2012 Western Summer Series concludes with the event at Castle Hill Heritage Park today December 17th. We have kept the best for last.
Come and enjoy a pre-Christmas canter through the area that once was the first Government Farm in NSW. The park contains numerous historical markers. It was from here that the convicts escaped and headed for Parramatta before capture at the Battle of Vinegar Hill. The park areas are used extensively for the event and the views are extensive.
The map is "near new" having been only used for a WHO Xmas Party event and the long course on the 2011 Turkey Trot.
The details are in the event calendar http://onsw.asn.au/events/event-calendar
Heat and waves at Shelley Beach
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 December 2012 09:03
What a fickle creature the weather is! High temperatures and humidity on Sunday tested orienteers at the Central Coast Summer Series event at Shelley Beach, almost as much as the course itself. With fewer hills than the previous event, there were higher point scores across the participating runners but they had to work hard for it in the heat. Karen Blatchford, Newcastle, won the Open Women with some 70 points higher than her win the previous event, and Men's Open winners Justin Stafford and Neil Prosser were 90points ahead of Russell Blatchford's previous leading score.
Participants were looking forward to a cooling dip in the ocean, which had sparkled temptingly throughout the event. But it was not to be. As the runners lingered around the scoreboard discussing their routes, a cool change came through whipping up the wind and turning the blue sea into an unappealing grey topped with white horses. Ah well. The next Central Coast event on this Sunday is also another beachside delight - Wamberal on the 16 December. Maybe the sun will shine just that little bit longer.
