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Division 5 served up the closest results as the annual Sydney MetrO League began under warm skies at Mt Annan on Sunday.
With large tracts of bush deemed out of bounds by The Australian Botanic Gardens, Stephan Wagner had course lengths spot on with most times in the 30-45-minute bracket. There was much long grass and farmland to traverse. An accurate cross country bearing and stable footing were needed to ensure fast times.
While there were some predictable outcomes, it was at the more social (but still refreshingly competitive) end of proceedings that had necks craning toward the results board.
In the all-Garingal battle, the Geckos pipped the Blue Tongues 28-27. It was the same scoreline when Bennelong - last year's runners up - edged out WHO. And in the third match, our hosts SHOO downed Uringa-Central Coast 29-26. Classic match racing indeed.
At the pointy end, Big Foot - gunning for the sixth straight title - accounted for an understrength Garingal 33-22. Newly promoted UR-CC enjoyed immediate success 29-25 over a Unis team consisting of three ring-ins but still short one runner. Bennelong, also promoted after winning Division 2 last year, put up a good showing but could not hold off WHO (32-23).
In Division 2, Garingal had a win over Bennelong and a loss to Big Foot, with SHOO having the bye.
The Feet made it a clean sweep with a 28-27 win over the GO Skinks in Division 3. IKO easily downed UR-CC 34-21 and WHO beat the GO Molochs 35-20.
In Division 4, Bennelong and UR-CC had easy wins while the promoted GO Legless kids beat stablemates the Monitors 28-24.
Thanks to SHOO for a smooth event, and a huge thank you must go to the clubs who kindly lent eight surplus runners to clubs who were short, particularly Garingal and the Unis in Division 1 who were affected by the clash with NOL round 2 in Victoria. Links to results are on the ML page.
Round 2 is at Manly Dam on April 13.
Entries for the annual Easter 3-Days carnival have now closed, with more than 700 orienteers from around Australia and overseas booked in.
Besides the main attraction of the 4 days of competition across the Easter weekend, the racing extends to a midweek pairs match race (Wed) and the NSW Sprint Championships (Anzac Day, Fri) and the NSW Long Champs (Sat Apr 26).
Entries for the NSW Long Champs close on March 30.
If you wish to participate but missed the deadline, you can still do so as an Enter-on-Day (EOD) person. EOD will be on offer on all days (except Good Friday) on the following courses: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate and a Hard (12A).
The carnival is based in Clandulla State Forest between Lithgow and Mudgee. It will be the biggest orienteering event in NSW since the World Masters in the same area in 2009. There are more than 50 clubs participating.
Tickets for the dinner (on Sunday April 20) close on April 11.
The annual women's training camp has proven to be another rousing success, with 20 attendees of all abilities now much the wiser.
Coach Nick Dent prepared plenty of exercises at Belanglo State Forest to cater for both novice and experienced orienteers. And of course there was some lovely weather and banter throughout the 2 days.
On Sunday the ladies were able to put their new skills into practice at a local event conducted by SHOO on the Rocklea map. This will be an annual event held at this time again next year. Thanks to Cath Chalmers for her talk on Saturday night and to our able coach Nick for making the weekend a great success.
Note it in your diaries for 2015!
One of the highlights for many who attend the annual Easter 3-Days (which this year ONSW is hosting) is the carnival dinner.
It's a chance to catch up with friends from interstate (and sometimes overseas), in a lovely relaxed atmosphere... what the Germans call 'gemuetlich'.
This year the dinner is on Sunday April 20 at Rylstone Community Hall, with pre-dinner drinks at 6:30 and dinner served at 7:30. Organise a group to attend and at registration you can book a table for seating. BYO drinks.
The menu will include roast beef, pork and lamb with gravy, mustards, apple sauce, mint sauce. Six dishes of salads and vegetables: savoury rice salad, sun dried tomato pasta, home style coleslaw, Mediterranean salad, roast pumpkin, vegetable medley (5 vegies). Desserts: fruit salad, strawberry cheesecake, apple crumble, lemon meringue pie- all served with fresh cream.
All this for just $30. Children 10 and under pay $15. And it's BYO.
The formal part of proceedings includes presenting the Orienteering Australia annual awards including the Silva medal, coaching award, David Hogg medal for event management, athlete of the year, services to orienteering award and the champion club of the year.
You must pay by April 12 for the dinner on “Eventor” under services. Tickets for the dinner will be issued at registration to those who have paid.
And don't forget... entries for the Easter carnival close March 14. Late entries (attracting higher fees) close March 21.
