Latest ONSW News
Sunny weather greeted the 80+ entrants at the St Ives Showground for a testing course set by Big Foot's Miles Ellis in the 6th event of the Sydney Sprint Series. A mixture of bush and open areas mixed with areas dedicated to special interest groups (Mini-bikes, radio control cars, Equestrian, Farnarkling etc), made for an interesting course with runners weaving through horse floats and picking left or right route options around open ovals (marked out-of-bounds) in search of human fodder racks (picnic tables).
Fastest man on the day was WHO's Andy Hill, followed by the swift Patrik Gunnarsson of Big Foot and evergreen veteran Jock Davis, also Big Foot.
Darwin-based visitor Suzanne Casanova was the fastest female followed by Big Foot training partners Tracy Marsh and Paula Shingler.
The next Sydney Sprint is on 25 February at Castle Hill Showground
Thanks to Miles Ellis for this report
Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers have announced an embargo on an area to be used for the QBIII in June this year.
The area concerned is the north east section of the Miners Despair map. For details see the area enclosed by the pink boundary line on this sample map.
The only exception that has been granted is for the DuO Adventure race on 10 March which has been given permission to use the area for its bike legs.
Anyone requiring further information should contact Kevin Curby.
Once again hot weather meant that only the 30min time limited event was conducted at the latest Waggaroos event at Torbourkelands. John Oliver held off strong challenges from Trent Seaman and Steven Moore to win this latest event in the Waggaroos summer calendar. Blazing his own trail he started low and then steamed away strongly picking off the high point controls on the ridgeline. As a tactic it worked and he finished with an excellent 135 points ahead of those who preferred to run long and low.
Trent Seaman and Steven Moore, went north in slightly different directions but finished with the same score of 120points, Trent taking the handicap honours for the second week in a row. Briohny Seaman, winner of the event at Kooringal last week was not far behind with 110 points.
The next Waggaroos event is 14 February at Turvey Park.
Thanks to John Oliver for this report
Harrington Park provided Brian Carter, in his first course-setting attempt, the opportunity to make excellent choices in control placement. The creek, and the Homestead divide the map into segments which require the runner to do some thoughtful planning to make best use of the 30 min provided.
Most runners only managed 2 of the segments, with Patrik Gunnarsson visiting all controls and Angus Shedden (UK), Ben Cummins, and Paul Davey (SH) picking up some controls in all segments. All but Angus suffered time penalities doing so.
Ruth Shedden (UK) led the women with a very short run, and a great score, to get back to the baby.
It was difficult to predict who would break the tie between Jai Cooper (SH) and Lachlan Brooks (SH). With less than a minutes difference, Lachlan took out first place. Both boys are great athletes.
Both the regulars and also the new runners arrived for the final run and the prize giving. With prominent signage, community events such as this regularly attract people 'just passing by'.
Series results:
Men's Score: 1 Patrik Gunnarsson BF, =2 Paul Davey (SH) Steve Cooper, (SH) 3 Luke Robertson (NC)
Women's Score : 1 Sheena Robertson (NC), 2 Lyn Malmgron (SH), 3 Amylee Robertson (NC)
Men's Easy: 1 Lachlan Brooks (SH), 2 Jai Cooper (SH), =3 Arvic Gunnarsson (BF) =3 Troj Gunnarsson (BF)
Women's Easy: 1 Hannah Davey (SH), 2 Bethany Davey (SH), 3 Tali Cooper (SH)=
Congratulations to all competitors - but don't wait til next year to see us again. SHOO run plenty of bush events during the winter months that are suitable for both beginners and the more experienced, and there is always someone on hand to provide helpful advice to anyone who needs it.
Next SHOO event is 9 March at Lake Alexandra, Mittagong.
Thanks to Lyn Malmgron for this report
