Latest ONSW News
WHO's Andy Hill has claimed the SSS Cup by a mere 5 points after a fantastic finale on the much-loved Macquarie Uni map.
Andy (left, runner-up in the Open Men's division), held off Immortal Men's winner Heiko Schaefer in the tally of points from all 26 events.
Remarkably, six runners were in the mix for the Cup before Wednesday's last event.
Steve Ryan (Garingal) and Gill Fowler (Big Foot) were crowned Open champions.
A huge thank you to all the setters, organisers and club members who helped make this the truly lovely series that it has become. And check out the Facebook album. If you have a friend, neighbour, work colleague, team-mate etc who's looking for something a little different on the fitness/exercise front - let them know about our great sport and its many formats.
Next year we celebrate 25 years of the SSS. We think this milestone deserves to be marked in a special way, so let our supremo ROSSS Barr know your thoughts.
Word has reached our ear already that a dinner after the Wed Nov 25 event (the exact anniversary) is on the cards.
Seven riders took out a hat-trick of titles at the NSW MTBO championships at Newcastle at the weekend.
Rhiannon Prentice (MD, W14A), Nicole Haigh (NC, W40A) and Robert Prentice (NC, M60A) were the 'locals' to win all 3 events.
Victorians Carolyn Jackson (W21E), Heather Leslie (W50A), Kathy Liley (W60A) and Angus Robinson (M17-20E) also took out all three.
The weekend was also the opening round of the MTBO National League and the Australian selection trial for the world championships in the Czech Republic in August.
There was an encouraging turnout of 16 novices on the Saturday morning for a skills and map reading clinic. They then had a crack at a practice course and the recreational event. Even more turned up for Steven Todkill's MTBO lesson, with a few experienced competitors joining in. We had competitors from six states.
One of our great recent initiatives, the women's training weekend, enjoyed another successful version last weekend.
Whilst numbers were lower than in previous years, the enthusiasm of the ladies was huge. Coaching was led by AO Head Coach Nick Dent and the ladies were very appreciative of his knowledge and wisdom.
Many ladies will now be able to make the progression to more difficult orienteering having gained many new and improved skills in orienteering. Thanks also to Hilary Wood and Paula Shingler for assisting by running sessions and to Liz Abbott from ACT who gave the ladies running hard courses insight into how she attacks a hard course.
Here's some great feedback from Uringa rookie Faye Forster: "The ladies, many of whom were quite experienced, were so welcoming. It calmed my nerves right away.
"It really was a special environment: lots of practical sessions covering physical aspects (run techniques, pacing, distance estimation) and technical skills (map skills, route selection, identifying attack points and catching features, control entry/exit).
"We finished off the weekend by doing the first SHOO event for their winter series where we were all able to put it into practice. This was my first ever bush course (moderate) and gave me ample opportunity to practise my relocation skills.
"I had a loss of confidence at one point and second guessed myself... 20+min/2+km later (nice detour on a short course) I was back on track. It certainly reaffirmed one of Nick's key teaching points about how much of the sport is a mental challenge.
If you missed this year's training look out for it next year as it is now a regular fixture on the orienteering calendar in March.
Thanks to Robyn Pallas for all her efforts in putting together, and for this report.
Entries are open for the second annual NSW DuO championships at Castle Hill Showground on April 12.
DuO is a an adventure race with a mix of foot orienteering and mountain bike orienteering. All you need is a bike, helmet and running gear!
Last year's Women's Division 1 winner, Marina Iskhakova of Bennelong Northside, is the setter and has created a Facebook page for the event.
Each course has a mass start. There will be a foot O course available as enter on the day. See the DuO home page for more details. Entries close on March 29.
