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Been there, Dungog !
The Upper Hunter hamlet turned on the most glorious weather for the annual NSW MTBO championships at the weekend.
Interstate entrants came from Queensland, Victoria and the ACT. Photos from the day by Craig Steffens can be viewed here.
Organiser Greg Bacon reports: "The Long Distance and Sprint championships were held on Dungog Common which is used as a mountain bike and walking park for the local community. There are large areas of open cattle grazing land that was rideable in the event. It was evident from the first sprint race that working out the open areas from the bush was an issue as well as the numerous cow trails that looked like tracks.
"The first sprint race took longer than planned and all were happy to have a short break before taking on the second sprint race. The second sprint was over the same area and finished on a positive note for most with some very close times in the classes."
Waggaroos have just about sewn up their annual interclub series with Alboury Wodonga.
With one round remaining on home soil Livingstone National Park in three weeks, Wagga lead 83-67.
Round 5 was conducted at 9 Mille Hill, just north of the Paper Mill near Albury. Although the area is small, the three hills, the profusion of rock and landform features and the fog made it physically and navigationally challenging.
Clubs score points based on the finish placings of an equal number of competitors on each course. This event was a little unusual for the interclub because it was a scatter course.
John Oliver and Alex Davey were fastest on the long course. The 26-22 win on the day was secured for WaggaRoos when Dale Clegg successfully completed the course and Albury’s Rob Simmons missed one control.
Yesterday Waggaroos switched backed to urban sprint O with two short courses around the Victory Memorial Gardens in the CBD.
Courses zig-zagged around the Wollundry Lagoon and the Civic Theatre precinct. Debbie Davey held off all challengers on the 2.1km course to win in 16.08, just ahead of Zach Lederhose and Briohny Seaman.
Don't forget our last State League weekend for 2014 is in Wagga on Sep 13-14.
This is a reminder that entries close on Sunday for the NSW MTBO championships (Aug 9-10 in Dungog) and for the NSW schools championships / State League 12 & 13 (Aug 16-17 in Newcastle).
Schools champs competitors should enter in their age class. Results will also count for State League for those who wish to do so. Start times will be worked out early next week so please scan your form and email it if you cannot get it in the post in time.
For the MTBO champs, if you have entered, your children ride for free. Dungog Common is a fantastic area dedicated to mountain biking and bushwalking.
Organiser Greg Bacon reports: "There are over 200 acres of land with approximately 20km of mountain bike and 4x4 tracks. The area has been used for State MTB endurance races over the last couple of seasons. A full description of the courses is available on the bulletin posted on Eventor.
There is camping available at Dungog Showground on the Saturday night.
In just four years the Sydney North schools champs have grown from 24 to 150 participants. Monday's event at St Ives Showground enjoyed perfect weather and welcomed more schools than ever (14).
Riverside Girls sent along 50 students in Years 7-10 and took out the champion high school, while new kids on the block West Pymble won champion primary school at their first attempt.
Noteworthy performances were from Clyde McGhee (year 5, Harbord PS) who came 2nd in the Boys 14-15A class and Tshinta Hopper (Year 7, Manly Selective) who won the Girls 14-15 A class.
Among the rookies it was great to see many of them trying the A courses which involved a little navigation through the easily runnable bush surrounding the showgrounds.
A huge thank you must go to Barbara Hill, the organiser on behalf of ONSW, and Andrew Mitchell from North Sydney Boys HS who co-ordinates the entries. We could not run these days without the fantastic pool of volunteer coaches and helpers who ensure the students get a positive introduction to our sport.
Around 90% have never done orienteering but they all come away with a great experience and eagerly looking forward to next year.
Speaking of which... if you have or know children at a public school, please let their PE head or sports organiser know about these schools championships - it's as much mental effort as physical and gets the students into our wonderful bushland and reserves.
In 2014 our total attendance at schools champs/gala days will top 2,000 - another record.
Next up are the NSW schools champs in Newcastle on August 16-17. The Saturday consist of two sprint races around school campuses, and Sunday is a middle distance event in the bush near the freeway.
