Latest ONSW News
The long spell of recent warm weather and lengthening days can mean only one thing - our annual Summer Series are just around the corner!
That time of year when we bid adieu to our beloved Aussie bush (and line courses) and renew our appreciation of urban/suburban parks, reserves and foreshores - mostly in a time-limited score format.
First up is the 23rd annual Sydney Summer Series on Wednesday evenings (START OCT 2), comprising 26 events - some on new maps and some on scrolls being dusted off in the vault as we speak. The first event at Blackman Park is pre-daylight saving so starts that day will be from 3pm. Late starters will need a torch or headlamp. Almost as highly anticipated as each map is the post-run blog by series co-ordinator Ross Barr. How can one man have such a commanding grasp of the Queen's English AND the sport of kings?
Newcastle also run on Wednesdays (START OCT 9), with two warm-up events before launching into the season proper. They only allow a 2-minute look at the map beforehand so careful planning on the run is crucial to success there.
Our shorter, pre-Christmas Sydney expansion series are growing steadily entering their third seasons. The Western SSS (START OCT 21) has settled into Monday evenings nicely, while the Southern SSS (START OCT 27) has moved to weekends, with a mix of Saturdays and Sundays.
Around the state there's no shortage of summer series.
Central Coast (START NOV 19) run on Sunday mornings, Wagga (START NOV 21) and Armidale (START NOV 8) do Thursday evenings, while Dubbo (START NOV 1) and Orange (START JAN 31) do Friday evenings, and Southern Highlands (START JAN 4) offer Saturday afternoons.
Looking to grow the sport in northern NSW, our newest club Northern Rivers will host their second event on Sunday October 13 at Shelly Beach, Ballina. And we'll be putting on two free taster weekends in Coffs Harbour (Oct 18-20 and 25-27) following on from the successful inaugural sprint and Wheel O event at the Uni campus in June.
There's something for everyone so grab a friend, colleague or family member and bring them along. Summer series are a great introduction to orienteering.
A handful of NSW orienteers won both their events on the opening weekend of the Australian championships in the ACT as our runners scooped 24 first placings.
In Sunday's long distance at Slap Up Creek, two hours south of Canberra, our class winners were Jock Davis (M35A), Greg Barbour (M40A), Chippy le Carpentier (M70A), Neil Schafer (M85A), Brook Martin (W35A), Val Hodsdon (W65A), Jean Baldwin (W70A), Justin Stafford (M21A), Rob Spry (M55AS), Phoebe Dent (W21A), Alexa Troedson (W35AS), Salme Fuller (W45AS), Carolyn Rigby (W55AS). Full results are here.
As a result NSW convincingly won the OA Shield, awarded to the best-performing State team in all age classes at the Long championships, well ahead of hosts ACT.
And in Saturday's sprint around Canberra Grammar our winners were Jock Davis (M35A), Matthew Sherlock (M40A), Ross Barr (M65A), Chippy le Carpentier (M70A), Neil Schafer (M85A), Mikalya Enderby (W10A), Barbara Hill (W45A), Carolyn Matthews (W50A), Toy Martin (W65A), Phoebe Dent (W21A), Salme Fuller (WOpenB), Katie Wallace (M/WOpenEasy). Full results are here.
Good luck to the schools competitors on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A massive field of 150 enjoyed a warm day at Bicentennial Park on Tuesday for our final Sydney Space Racing for 2013.
The morning ran smoothly thanks to our huge roll-up of 22 volunteers. Such a professional, composed display by our registration team, coaches and Ross and Ernie on SI made a great impression on the many different groups who attended.
And what a delight finishers received as they downloaded and were handed a packet of jelly beans, a snake lolly and some promotional material by sweet, smiling sub-juniors Sophie Jones and Nea Shingler.
Results are on Eventor and the website (showing point scores).
Our two Sydney Space Racing events in the Christmas school holidays are Jan 16 at Curl Curl Lagoon and Jan 24 at Centennial Park. If you know of vacation care groups (and kids in general) looking for engaging activities, please tell them about Space Racing.
Goldseekers (Orange) will also be hosting Space Racing on Jan 11, 18, 25.
NSW will have 42 teams competing in the Australian relay championships at the national titles in the ACT next month.
The relays are the last event of the 9-day carnival and highly anticipated by all participants for their collegial atmosphere.
NSW oozes class and talent in every age class, none moreso than in W20A where we have two JWOC representatives in Nicola Blatchford and Michele Dawson. It's a similar story in M21E with our "Three Muskteers" of Dave Meyer, Matt Parton and Rob Preston.
In Tasmania last year, NSW won the Xanthorrhea Trophy for interstate competition based on results of the Australian Relay Championships, and are athletes determined to retain it amid fierce competition.
Teams can be viewed here.
The NSW junior squad (pictured) looked great in their new gear, presented to them at last weekend's State League double header in Newcastle. Selectors have finalised the junior squad, naming Lawrence Jones (senior boys) and Hugh Gingell (junior boys) as reserves.
