The Lehtonens are a Finnish family settled in Sydney and enjoying Australia's great outdoor lifestyle. The kids are proving to be pretty handy orienteers, too!
Oldest daughter Iida helped the NSW Schools team win the Australian schools champs in Wagga last week fr the first time since 2002 - and made the Honour Team for the second year running. That was for two first placings and a third for the Carbines.
On Saturday, her sister Lilja (Garingal) won the W12 age class at the Oceania Long champs at Eldorado in Victoria. She then went out and shadowed little brother Eino around the M/W10N novice course (pictured).
Lilja was one of seven NSW orienteers to win at Kangaroo Crossing, the other being: Jenny Enderby (Newcastle, W50); Tony Woolford (Bush n Beach, M55); Gayle Quantock (NC, W55); Rob Vincent (NC, M60); Ben McConaghy (GO, M Junior B); and Wendy McConaghy (GO, W Open B).
In the elite divisions, Alastair George (BF) was again second in the junior men's (M20E), with Duncan Currie (GO) sixth. Ellen Currie (GO) was the best placed in the junior women in 18th, Toby Wilson (GO) finished 14th in senior men, and local Briohny Seaman (Waggaroos) was 14th in the senior women.
All up, NSW orienteers had 13 second placings and 10 thirds on the day.
Thanks to setter Warren Key for tough courses on an awesome Kangaroo Crossing map.
Results are here, Winsplits here and Tony Hill's photo album here. In the bottom pic are Saffron Sweeney (WHO) and Cameron Will (IK) crossing the minor watercourse near the finish.
Those people who competed midweek in Wagga can see the final standings in the Riverina Run here.
On Sunday the carnival wraps up with the Oceania Middle Champs on a new map in Beechworth.
