A new assembly on a new UWS Parramatta map made for good numbers and interesting orienteering. The runners navigated around the buildings of the historic Female Orphan School (the main building of the Orphan School is the oldest 3 storey building in Australia) and the bright new architecture of the modern university.
Planner Lyn Malmgron set an interesting course with lots of changes in direction and a number of crossovers. There were a number of opportunities to stretch a gait, with longer legs over grassed slopes.
Read more: Architectural blend proves interesting for Sprint #4 runners
The female orienteering community of NSW are in for something special on the 3/4th March when Nick Dent, Head Coach NSW, is putting on a special coaching weekend just for them.
Robyn Pallas, organiser of the weekend, says 'We used to run sessions like this some time ago and for a while women have been asking for their own coaching weekend again. We've managed to fit it into the tight NSW timetable this year and we have already had a great response. A weekend like this allows women, normally too busy looking after their families, to get a chance to focus on improving their own orienteering skills. It sets aside time to brush up their skills, learn some new ones, and have fun in a supportive group of like-minded women.'
The weekend will have both theory and practical bush sessions as well as dinner out on Saturday night. Anyone who hasn't already got this in their diary but would like to come along, can get in touch with Robyn for more details
Runners thought they were seeing double at the recent Callan Park Sprint Series event but it turned out that Bennelong club member Marina Ishakova's sister, Natalya Fey, was visiting from China. Both women are ex-Russian international representatives and are identical twins to boot so it was an easy mistake to make.
The Callan Park event tested the mettle of all the participants with hot and humid conditions making for most unpleasant running. The course, set by Uringa, more than made up for it, with lots of changes of direction, a butterfly leg and enough controls to make sure runners were kept thinking all the way around.
Tom Quayle impressed with a winning time of 16:30 for the 3km course, over a minute ahead of the next runner. Big Foot took out the next four places with Patrik Gunnarson in second, Eoin Rothery third and Paul and Tracy Marsh next in with only a second between their finishing times. Full results can be found here.
Toby Wilson, member of Garingal Orienteers and the NSW Carbines, has received a Local Sporting Champion award in recognition of his commitment to his orienteering.
Toby Wilson is a regular competitor in the State League events, and has represented NSW in the Junior Boys team in 2010 and 2011. He was delighted to receive his award which supports his participation in the 2011 Schools Championship and Australian Championship Carnival which was a multi-location event with competitions in ACT, NSW and Victoria.