Latest ONSW News
A handful of NSW orienteers made the trek south for the latest NOL round in Victoria at the weekend.
The Long was at Hepburn Springs on Sunday. Rob Preston (Newcastle, pictured) and Rebecca George (Big Foot) were our best elite performers, sixth in M21E and W20E respectively.
In the public races, Lucy McGarva (Waggaroos) was second in W3, Dave Lotty (Uringa) 2nd in M6, Alex Davey (WR) was 3rd in M4.
Saturday's Middle Distance was on the Yorkshire Hill map in Bendigo, last used at this level at Easter 2013. Our Swedish scholar Tuve Moller (SHOO) was an impressive fifth in M20E.
In the public races, Debbie Davey (WR) was our only placegetter - winning W60A.
The National League now rests until the next round in Queensland in September.
Newcastle pair Carolyn Matthews and Rhiannon Prentice took out trebles at the Australian MTBO champs in Queensland at the weekend.
Carolyn had three close wins in W50 while Rhiannon dominated a small field in W20.
The Long Distance was in the Glasshouse mountains area on Sunday. The map was titled "Resurrection" but for many it had a deflating experience with some closely located controls resulting in an inordinate amount of mp's - including our 3 WOC reps.
That allowed Hamish Mackie (Big Foot, pictured) to "do a Bradbury" and claim the Australian men's elite title at age 50!
The Middle was held on a horse riding farm. Competitors were able to ride across country on both shades of yellow, which isn't normally allowed. Australian WOC rider Glen Charlton (NC) had an excellent win in M21.
Saturday morning's Sprint was at St Pauls school on an intricate that provided a great start to the titles.
Andrew Power (NC, M50) and Malcolm Roberts (NC, M60) had a first, a second and a third.
ONSW riders to get placings were:
Sprint: 1st Rhiannon Prentice (Newcastle, W20), Carolyn Matthews (NC, W50), Malcolm Roberts (NC, M60), 2nd: Andrew Power (NC, M50); Robert Prentice (NC, M60). 3rd: Ori Gudes (Uringa, M40).
Middle: 1st Rhiannon Prentice (NC, W20), Carolyn Matthews (NC, W50), Glen Charlton (NC, M21), Robert Vincent (NC, M60); 2nd: Malcolm Roberts (NC, M60). 3rd: Andrew Power (NC, M50).
Long: 1st Rhiannon Prentice (NC, W20), Carolyn Matthews (NC, W50), Hamish Mackie (Big Foot, M21); Andrew Power (NC, M50). 2nd: Robert Vincent (NC, M60); 3rd: Ori Guges (Uringa, M40), Malcolm Roberts (NC, M60).
Many thanks to Sunshine Orienteers for their great efforts with the 3 events, organising accommodation, meals and food after the events.
This year's NSW Schools Champs are in Sydney's Hills District on September 1-2, and entries are now open via Trybooking.
You do not need to pre-qualify as we believe all students should have the opportunity to compete. Students and parents please note: you must enter online because your school has no involvement in the organisation of this weekend.
Saturday will be two sprints, with combined times determining the winners in each age class. The sprints are at Cherrybrook Technology High School (starts from 11am) and The Hills Grammar School (starts from 2pm).
Sunday's Middle Distance event is at Wianamatta Regional Park, with starts from 9am.
Click here for the Trybooking link and here for the information sheet.
NSW orienteers starred at the ACT Sprint and Middle Championships at the weekend, taking out 55 titles across the two days.
The bitterly cold snap seemed to focus many minds, with 'feels like' temperatures in the single figures as winter made an early visit.
Saturday afternoon was a Sprint around Canberra Grammar School, thankfully after the late morning squalls had passed. Setter David Stocks ignored all the open playing fields to construct intricate courses through the many buildings and alleyways.
Some of the standout victories were in our junior ranks: Oskar Mella (Newcastle, pictured) taking out both days in M14A, Niamh Cassar (WHO) winning the W16A Sprint and Andra Leung (Garingal) the W16A Middle.
Duncan Currie (GO) ran a 9.5km cross country for his school on Saturday morning, then bolted down the Hume to take out M20A - beating three JWOC reps!
Barbara Hill (GO) and Jenny Enderby (NC) shared the weekend spoils in W50A, as did Tracy Marsh (Big Foot) and Allison Jones (ACT) in W40A.
In Sunday's Middle at Orroral Campground in fine but cold and windy conditions, Eric Morris (Bennelong) inflicted a rare defeat on Stephen Craig (NC).
Results and Splits are on our State League web page. Tony Hill's beautiful photos from the weekend are here.
Thanks to OACT for a great weekend.
