At the Australian Long Distance Championships held today at Warranine Brook east of Perth in WA there was an international result in the M21E and W21E classes. In fast open terrain with many granite rocky outcrops and also many clearings, fast running was the feature of the day. Thor Norskov (7th place in Long at JWOC 2014) from Denmark who is still a junior won the M21E class in a time of 87:00 for the 15.7km course. He was 4:24 seconds in front of the Australian Ian Lawford continued his impressive form to be the best Australian. Tim Robertson (JWOC winner 2014) from New Zealand was 19 seconds behind in third place. In W21E class Lizzie Ingham certainly put the disappointment from the Ultra Long out of her mind to win by 8:21seconds in a time of 70:34 for the 10.6km course, with her compatriot Laura Robertson in second. The best Australian was Aislinn Prendergast in third in a time of 85:23.

In the M20E class Australia had a small victory over our New Zealand visitors with Matt Doyle winning in a time of 65:02 for the 10.6km course and Oscar McNulty finishing second 1:49 down and Matt Goodall from NZ third 2:30 down. Matt Doyle has had a good carnival winning the Australian Middle Distance Championships last weekend and also the Senior Boys class in the Australian School Championships. In the W20E class Lanita Steer returned to good form winning by 4:16 seconds in a time of 66:06 for the 7.9km course. Anna Dowling was second in a time of 70:22 and Vida Fox from NZ was third.

The individual NOL point score Simon Uppill who finished 4^th today was the winner in M21E. Hanny Allston who did not compete today due to injury had a big enough lead going in to today’s event and is the winner of the W21E point score. In the junior classes Matt Doyle who was the leader before today’s event increased his lead to win the M20E point score and in W20E Michele Dawson just managed to hold of Anna Dowling to win this point score.

Tomorrow sees the final NOL event of the year with the Australian Relays on a map very close to today’s area. The teams point score of the NOL will be decided tomorrow with some close finishes expected in both the senior women’s class with both Victoria and Queensland with the chance to overtake the Canberra Cockatoos and a close battle in the junior women’s class between Tasmania and NSW. The Canberra Cockatoos should be comfortable winners in the men’s senior class, with Tasmania expected to win the men’s junior class.

Results

http://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/ResultList?eventId=1655&groupBy=EventClass

http://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/en/default.asp?page=classes&databaseId=33453

Photos:Roch Prendergast

Nick Dent