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Cross-country running and close results were the order of the day as our MetrO League kicked off for 2017 at WSU Penrith.
Courses were on the long side due to the flattish, open nature of the campus grounds - but the winning times in each division confirmed that setters John Brayan and Carolyn Haupt were spot on in their assessments.
In the top grade the new-look WHO team, bolstered by Bennelong and Uringa Division 1 runners, beat defending champions Garingal 29-26, while Big Foot just held off the newly promoted SHOO-IKO 28-27.
It was just as tight in Division 2, with two results of 28-27 and one of 29-26. Two more nailbiters in Division 3, and three of them in Division 4, made for intense interest around the whiteboards. Division 5 saw greater winning margins.
It was wonderful to see many MetrO first-timers and a photographer from the Penrith Press. Keep an eye on the newspaper's website this week for a story and hopefully a photo album.
The day's fastest time went to KNOX's Carl Joisce who sped around the 5.4km Division 3 course in 30m14s.
Check out all the courses on Routegadget. All the results have been uploaded onto the ML web page.
Thanks to Garingal for a flying start to the season. Next round is May 21 on a new forest area at Wianamatta Regional Park.
Wet. Wet. Wet. Our 26th season of the SSS finished on a damp but cheerful note on Thursday as we tackled Lane Cove Country Club and surrounds.
Scoring was - in golfing parlance - above par. Or in SSS terms, lower than usual due to the slow going. Spare a thought for the setter putting out controls in the cold and wet!
Mel Cox set a tough course made longer by the slippery conditions on roads, tracks and the golf course. But what a relief to download and less than a minute later be in a nice warm shower, followed by dinner, drinks and presentations, attended by close to 100 people for the second year in a row.
Steve Ryan (Garingal) took out Open Men, and Lisa Grant (Garingal) Open Women. Steve also won the SSS Cup for most points across the 26 events. Glenn Horrocks (GO) deserves special praise for visiting all 30 controls each of the 26 weeks in a Ben Hur-like effort.
Janet Morris (WHO) got the special award for expanding the series into the Hills and all her mapping, and we farewelled Lisa Lampe (Uringa) who is off to the Hunter for work. An unfortunate 71st birthday for SSS founder Ross Barr as he injured some ribs on course and went home for treatment. Get well soon Rosscoe!
We say a big thank you to all the course setters, vetters, event organisers, clubs, participants, results gurus Mel Cox and Dave Noble, Graeme Hill for organising the prizes.
Click here for the SSS Cup final tallies.
A big debt of gratitude to Bennelong Northside for a finale in great surroundings on, through and overlooking Lane Cove Country Club. To those who only do SSS, we extend a warm welcome to come and try some of our winter line events such as MetrO League and State League.
For those who love their score courses, next Wednesday is the first in our Moonlight Madness series, with events monthly under a full moon. You'll need a torch or headlamp.
A flat campus and a very steep, rocky hillside offered total contrasts in courses as our State League kicked off in Canberra at the weekend.
Combined with the second round of the National Orienteering League, the events drew more than 370 entries from across the country.
Saturday was the ACT Sprint Champs on a new map at Canberra Girls Grammar School. The courses, set by NSW Stinger Dave Meyer, offered fast running in light drizzle. Route choice was not always apparent as there was lots of dark grey, light grey and olive green OOB close together on the map. ONSW runners claimed 17 titles. Our NOL runners did a qualifying bush sprint at nearby Red Hill before the final at the school. Duncan Currie (Garingal) edged out clubmate Toby Wilson by five seconds for third place in the junior men's final.
Sunday was the ACT Middle Distance Champs at Isaacs Ridge in lovely autumn warmth. This involved an 800m walk to the assembly, then a tough 1km walk with 120m of climb to the top of the ridge. Stunning views and a chance to catch your breath before starting. Steep, wooded hillsides with rocky ground everywhere made for very slow going for most competitors. Nicola Blatchford (Newcastle) and Georgia Jones (Uringa) impressed with fourth placings in the NOL women, while Toby Wilson continued his great form with second in the junior men to be second in the overall standings.
ONSW runners took out 21 titles. Weekend doubles went to W35A Alitia Dougall (Bennelong), W40A Tracy Marsh (Big Foot), W60A Debbie Davey (Waggaroos), W65A Jenny Hawkins (Northern Tablelands), W80A Maureen Ogilvie (UR), WJuniorB Andra Leung (GO), M16A Alvin Craig (NC, pictured), M20A Alex Kennedy (GO), M35A Stephen Craig (NC) and M75A John le Carpentier (Southern Highlands).
Results and Winsplits are on the ONSW State League page. NOL standings are here.
We thank our friends at OACT for co-sanctioning the weekend. And a reminder that our next State League weekend is May 13-14 in the Southern Highlands for the NSW Middle and Long Champs. Entries are open in Eventor.
Feet were wet, rainjackets were worn, but big smiles and warm hearts were aplenty at the women's coaching weekend near Lithgow.
This annual fixture on our calendar is for females of all ages and abilities; it introduces rookies to the bush while refreshing experienced orienteers as we head into our winter season.
Run by our partner organisation Bold Horizons, 46 women were entertained and educated by coaches Barbara Hill, Gill Fowler, Tracy Marsh, Maggie Jones and Martina Craig over the two days.
First-timer Cassie Thompson said: "Great weekend. The coaches were great and I came home with a list of new skills to perfect."
