NSW had much to celebrate at the Easter Carnival held in Bendigo but the top spots were hard won over the holiday weekend, with challenging terrain and fierce competition. Nearly 750 competitors from all over Australia attended the carnival and some of the age classes were the largest we have seen for some time, outside the Australian and Oceania Championships.
Topping the podium over the whole carnival for NSW was Phoebe Dent (W21A), Lynn Dabbs (W60A), Jean Baldwin (W70A), Janet Morris (W75A), Glenn Meyer (M21AS), Cath Chalmers (W35AS) and Peter Baldwin (M35AS). Other notable successes were Mikayla Enderby (W10A), Sophie Jones (W12A), Val Hodsdon (W65A), Eoin Rothery (M55A), Gordon Wilson (M60A), Ron Junghans (M70A), Vicki Wilmott (W45AS), Shane Jenkins (M35AS), Greg Barbour (M40A), Gayle Quantock (W50A), Nicki Burnett (W Easy B), Douglas Jay (M35A), and Ian Jessup (M Open B) who all narrowly missed out on the top spot, coming second in their classes
With 4 events to count for the Elites and 3 for all other classes, the racing got underway with a Prologue at La Trobe University. There was concern for NSW elite athlete Robbie Preston who became unwell after the race, and needed medical attention. It was with relief the NSW team saw him back at the event later in the weekend although he took no further part in the racing, being there in support of wife Kathryn who brought home a 4th in the final race and a top 10 placing overall.
Day 2 was at Yorkshire Hill, which was Bendigo mining terrain at its finest. Tricky diggings with heaps of spoil interspersed with clear forest running made for an interesting first bush challenge of the competition. Times were swift and the competitors at the top of the ranks tightly packed; in M21E first place Christopher Naunton of Victoria in 33.00mins, had the next three places behind him 33:09, 33:53 and 33:58.
For many the key to staying in contention was Day 3 on Mount Alexander, a steep rocky map which tested both legs and navigation skills. Looking up from the start boxes, competitors could be seen way up on the skyline as they battled across the boulder fields in the later parts of the courses. The intricate detail and paucity of line features punished any lapse in concentration; many orienteers were caught out and found themselves with much longer split times that they would have liked, with some opting out altogether. Those who did take it carefully were rewarded with placings to consolidate their positions on the score board.
Day 4 at Crusoe and the final day of racing was a test of speed and leg strength after the previous day’s sapping race. Vague spur gully with mining detail was more easily negotiated than the previous day’s test. An aquaduct running through the centre of the map was over knee high after the recent rain and many of the longer course competitors found themselves having a refreshing wade up to four times as they crisscrossed the map.
Full results can be found here
Orienteering Australia’s John Harding significant photo gallery is available here; orienteering clubs and state associations are welcome to use the photos for their own newsletter coverage of performances at Easter: http://hardingjohn.smugmug.com/Sports/Orienteering/
