Latest ONSW News
Tight contests in the men's elite classes and long winning times amid complex granite were the order of the day at the delayed NSW 2020 champs at Eugowra at the weekend.
Ewan Shingler (Big Foot), fresh from winning the M20E title at Easter, pipped Jensen Key (Vic) by one second over the 8.6km in M20A on Sunday. David Stocks (ACT) was only seven seconds away in third.
Ewan won by four seconds on Saturday - meaning his total victory margin over 13.2km (as the crow flies so probably about 16km) was five seconds. Wow.
In M21A, reigning junior world Sprint champion Aston Key edged out Alastair George (BF) by 27 seconds in the 10.7km race, with ACT's Matt Doyle less than two minutes further back in third.
In the Middle Champs on Saturday, Savanna Sweeney (WHO) had a breakthrough win in W14A as she stakes a claim for a spot in the NSW schools team. Likewise for Mel Joseph (Garingal) in W45A.
On both days the Dent boys (ACT) won the short courses each day, while the Woolford brothers (Bush n Beach) enjoyed a first and three second placings.
A big thank you to Garingal for a superb and thoroughly testing weekend.
All participants are asked to please complete the very brief course setter surveys for each day here.
Mikayla Enderby (Newcastle) and Sam Woolford (Bush n Beach) won the 18E elite junior classes on Day 1 of the national Easter carnival on a tricky new granite map near Molong on Saturday.
Each won by 4-5 minutes on the Noah's Ark Ridge map making its debut in brilliant autumn sunshine.
Ewan Shingler (Big Foot) again won M20E, while sister Nea was third in W20E as was Oskar Mella (NC) in M18E.
The thin lode of granite running north-south on the map allowed setter Rod Parkin to include lots of criss-crossing legs, ensuring compass use was just as crucial as identifying which rock you were at.
The scale of 1:7500 also made for better legibility.
In M21E, Matt Doyle (ACT) dead-heated with junior world champion Aston Key (Victoria).
Olivia Sprod (SA) took out W21E while Queensland team-mates Krystal Neumann and Anna Sheldon tied for second.
The keenly awaited Sledge class had 34 runners in a mass start which ended with Ian Meyer (SHOO) triumphant and Steven Todkill (NC) third.
Across all classes, NSW orienteers recorded 23 wins, 15 seconds and 17 thirds.
A big thank you also to mappers Terry Bluett and Rob Vincent and controller Paul Prudhoe.
All participants are asked to fill in the very brief Course Setter of the Year survey. Your response provides valuable feedback to the setter and controller, while helping to decide who wins the prestigious Graeme Mitchell Trophy.