Crisp morning at Smiths Creek
- Last Updated: Monday, 17 August 2020 13:28
The excitement of a new bush map leaves us all feeling like kids on Christmas morning, and Smiths Creek at Ruse more than delivered for round 3 of MetrO League on Sunday.
SHOO set Stephan Wagner the task of mapping this long skinny tract of bushland and the result was a melange of white, light green, dark green and black either side of Smiths Creek - from top to bottom.
But the highlight for a handful of eagle-eyed orienteers was spotting a koala on course!
Covid restrictions forced us to start by the tennis courts to the east of the map, so the outward and inward legs were through flat, easy parklands. That merely set us up for the middle section with intricate, steepish rocky slopes at 1:10,000 that tripped up many a competitor.
A terrific addition to MetrO League venues and to SHOO's already impressive inventory, and full of State League potential when we can assemble much closer to the creek.
We'd also like to make special mention of the great results in Division 6 by debutants Tania and Emily Cannings who only joined SHOO last week and helped their team to a win over WHO.
Likewise to father and son Mark and Arthur Lusher who scored 17 points between them in Garingal's win over Big Foot. Mark got into orienteering via our lunchtime CBD promotional series a year ago.
All the results and scores are on the ML web page. Please load your routes onto Livelox.
Our next round is on Sunday September 13 at Scheyville on a new Garingal map.
Divisions 1 and 6 will now have semi-finals then a final but the other divisions will continue round robin and winners will be decided on a first past the post basis after the final round in October.
Thanks Stephan and SHOO.
Aust MTBO champs postponed to 2021
- Last Updated: Thursday, 13 August 2020 20:19
The 2020 Australian MTBO Championships, scheduled for September 19-20 in the Newcastle area, have been postponed to 2021 at the same time and location.
You can find the new details of the four events (mass start, sprint, middle, long) on Eventor here and the event website here.
The current Covid 19 crisis in Victoria and smaller outbreaks in other states, resulting in travel restrictions, makes true national representation in 2020 impossible.
Likewise, the NSW champs are also off as is the 2020 National MTBO Series, as 2 of the 4 events (the Australian & Victorian Champs) are now both cancelled.
Good news, for those who can travel on the original champs weekend, is that in their place will be a BOSS event on Saturday September 19 at Killingworth South, and on Sunday morning a long distance score course (choose from 2 or 3 hours) at Wallaroo State Forest.
Our MTBO web page has been updated to reflect these changes.
Queensland, WA, ACT & SA still look likely to be able to run their planned state MTBO championships. First up is Queensland, on the Sunshine Coast, on September 12-13.
MetrO League all set for Ruse
- Last Updated: Thursday, 13 August 2020 17:54
Round 3 of the Sydney MetrO League is on a new bush map at Ruse in southwest Sydney on Sunday.
We're all looking forward to SHOO unveiling a map that mapper Stephan Wagner says has "plenty of rock and loads of route choice".
This event is pre-entry only, but you can do so up until midday on Sunday via Eventor, whether you are competing in a team or not.
This event is being held in the Campbelltown local government area where COVID-19 cases have been reported. If you attend the event and in the subsequent two weeks develop "even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat", NSW Health's current advice is to get tested.
Anyone who has entered, but is unwell or does not want to compete due to COVID concerns, may cancel and ask for a refund.
The situation might change at short notice, so keep an eye on your emails in case the event is cancelled for some or all competitors.
The latest covid-19 information is on the dedicated ONSW web page.
Please bring and use your own water and sanitiser.
Level 0 coaching course Aug 14 in Sydney
- Last Updated: Friday, 07 August 2020 12:35
Our next Level 0 coaching course will be on Fri Aug 14 from 10am-1pm at Sydney Olympic Park.
Level 0 is for people coaching newcomers / children, and will include a brief intro in how to use Purple Pen to set courses. For people wishing to coach in the Sporting Schools program, it will include the OK-GO kit.
Please email Jim Mackay (development @ onsw.asn.au) if you are interested. They are free for orienteering club members and some parking can be arranged.
