NSW orienteers took out ten age classes at the Oceania Sprint champs to kick off the carnival in Wagga on Saturday.
Courses 1-7 at Charles Sturt Uni included a section on the steep rocky hill just west of the main campus, adding some serious climb and a taste of bush to the Sprint.
Congratulations to our winners:
Nea Shingler (Big Foot, W14); Nicola Blatchford (Newcastle W21); Martina Craig (NC, W45); Barbara Hill (Garingal, W50); Greg Barbour (BF, M55); Paula Shingler (BF, W55); Carol Jacobson (GO, W70); Jean Baldwin (Goldseekers, W75); Maureen Ogilvie (Uringa, W85); Wendy McConaghy (GO, WOpenB).
In the elite divisions, Alastair George (BF) was second in the junior men's (M20E). NSW runners also placed 5-6-7 for a good showing all round. Tshinta Hopper (Bennelong) was the best placed in the junior women in 15th, Rob Bennett (NC) and Toby Wilson (GO) finished 6-7 in senior men, and local Briohny Seaman (Waggaroos) was 7th in the senior women.
Nea won by one second over Kiwi Ruby Nathan, and Greg by three seconds, while Jean deadheated with Ann Ingwersen from the ACT.
The arena had a giant TV screen showing all the action to get the carnival off to a very entertaining start.
In addition to the winners, NSW had 5 runners up and seven third placings.
