Vale Paul Darvodelsky
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 27 June 2018 21:49
Paul Darvodelsky has passed away, surrounded by friends and family in Alice Springs.
Paul, 56, was one of the St Ives High School kids - taught by Garingal amigo Ron Junghans - who helped form Big Foot Orienteers more than 30 years ago.
Long time great mate and former BF president Andy Simpson penned this tribute: "Paul and his cohort produced Big Foot's first orienteering maps, chose the club's name and colours and, just as importantly, set a course of irreverent competitiveness that is still at the heart of what we are about as a club.
"Paul's approach to orienteering in those years is exemplified by his map of a massive section of forest on the Jenolan Caves Road which was named Billenbenbong and had a lurid pink infill.
"As a competitor, Paul developed rock-solid foot orienteering skills as the sport evolved in Australia and was one of Australia's elite orienteers for over a decade.
"Later in life he took to two wheels with great enthusiasm and more success, his frame more suited to riding than running. He made the Australian World Champs Mountain Bike Orienteering team from 2006-2008 and was a useful amateur road and MTB rider.
"Thanks to Cath and the Darvodelsky family for sharing Paul's life with us - we have plenty of great memories: whether it be orienteering trips to Europe, knocking around in Valiants in the early 90s or just drafting off him out on a ride."
More recently, Paul was a mentor and coach to many aspiring riders, notably Lucy Mackie who won a silver medal at the 2017 junior world MTBO championships.
ONSW extends our sympathies to his family and friends.
Funeral notice: there will be a celebration of Paul's life at Mt Colah Community Centre, Pierre Close, on Monday July 2 at 2pm followed by afternoon tea. Paul wanted happy colours so no black please. Feel free to bring a photo of Paul to display for a photo wall.
NSW Sprint Champs entries open
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 June 2018 09:59
Entries are now open for the NSW Sprint Champs on the intricate UNSW map on Sunday July 29.
This is the biggest sprint event in NSW for 2018 and on one of the best maps in the state, fit and rested after a couple of years off.
The Eventor page has preliminary information and a copy of the map. Free parking is available inside the uni.
Jamie Kennedy is setting courses expected to be fast and challenging; controls will be SI Air-enabled. Don't forget that double OY points are on offer with it being a state championship.
Although we are in the bush season, you can get some Sprint practice in by attending the Newcastle Shorts on July 14-15 or the SOS event at Pennant Hills HS on Sat July 28.
Meanwhile, entries for State Leagues 10-11 in the Southern Highlands (on July 7-8) have been extended to this Friday, June 29.
Howe - much fun is our MetrO League!
- Last Updated: Sunday, 24 June 2018 21:47
MetrO League's first foray to William Howe Reserve near Mt Annan has just about decided our finalists with a round still to go.
It was steep in parts, it was spiky in parts, it was open in parts - and setter Dean Williamson got the course lengths pretty much spot on. With kangaroos and wallabies darting across the wooded slopes, it was a gorgeous winter morning.
As the whiteboard filled with times, the strong teams got stronger.
Big Foot in Division 1 are almost certain to retain the Frank Assenza Trophy after Garingal suffered a shock loss to a three-man WHO outfit.
Uringa-Central Coast and Big Foot (Divn 2), Garingal Monitors (Divn 4), and UR-CC (Divn 5) also maintained their perfect records to book their places in the August 26 decider at Boggabilla.
Division 3 is where things are really interesting: SHOO-IKO are on 8 points and have a 'goal difference' of 49. Bennelong, KNOX and WHO are all on 6 points. In the last round at Lapstone next month, KNOX have a double header against the other two - so anything is mathematically possible among those top four teams.
In Division 4, the second-placed Garingal Molochs - due to a strong for/against - look set for an intra-club final even if they lose their last round.
In Division 5, WHO must knock over the unbeaten UR-CC or risk being pipped by KNOX or the Garingal Blue Tongues.
We liked seeing the young newcomers having a go as practice for the Sydney South West primary schools champs this week.
See the MetrO League web page for all the latest results.
Thanks SHOO.
Samuel Gilbert wins Sydney West PS Day 1
- Last Updated: Thursday, 21 June 2018 18:10
Newcomers Samuel Gilbert Public School stole the show with a one-point victory on day one of the Sydney West primary schools champs at Castle Hill on Thursday.
On a coolish cloudy day at Fred Caterson Reserve, they beat Springwood PS as more than 370 excited students enjoyed a day in an outdoor classroom.
Testing courses among the myriad of bush tracks kept the students on their toes, and the adrenaline rush of the relays capped a great day.
A big thanks to organiser Barbara Hill and her small army of helpers.
Wednesday's event (with another 400 entries) was cancelled due to the wet conditions and now looks like being held early in Term 3 - we'll advise when we have a date. Once that day is run we'll compare scores and reveal who is the champion school for 2018.
Students and parents - entries are now open for the NSW Schools Champs to be held in the Hills District on September 1-2. You'll have to enter yourselves as the schools have no formal role in these.
