Author: craigf

Multiple World Champion Adrian Jackson and Australian team member Mary Fien were our top ranked MTBO riders for 2010.

In 2010 Australia staged thirteen MTBO ranking events (eight Long Distance and five Middle Distance). The 2010 rankings were based on the same formula as 2009 – the best two races for each rider who rode in more than one state or rode in the Australian Long and Middle Championships. This resulted in more riders from Victoria, NSW and Queensland being ranked, since the seven races were held in these states. The number of riders ranked in the top three: VIC (31), QLD (3), NSW (3), TAS (1), SA (1), ACT (1) with the National titles held in Central Victoria.
Winners to repeat their top 2009 form were Adrian Jackson (M21E), Robert Prentice (M50A), Rick Armstrong (M60A), Mary Fien (W21E), Kay Haarsma (W40A), and Joyce Rowlands (W70+A).
The margins was 0 to 5 points in twelve out of 15 classes and there were equal 100 point scores in M50, M60, M70 – showing that the competition is very close in many classes.
Junior women in W-16 and W-20 were ranked for the first time in mtbo history – which promises better competition in 2011.
2010 Ranking Criteria
1. A rider must complete two Championship races in 2010 – the final ranking calculated be averaging the best two results from either two Australian Championships or two State Championships. One counted race must come from an interstate or Australian Championship – thus winning two races in one’s home state does not qualify a rider for a national ranking.
2. The winner of a race earns 100 points with all other riders ranked (above 100) in comparison with the winner.
3. International riders (NZL) raise the competitive standard of the events, but are not included in the National Ranking lists.
Blake Gordon, OA MTBO Statistician

Recently three junior Tasmanian riders did exceedingly well in the “Blue Dragon” 100 km mountain bike race near Launceston. This was a two stage race held over two days encompassing very rugged and technical riding. They are following in the footsteps of Adrian Jackson who has shown that racing MTB at a high level is an ingredient for success at international MTBO.

Tom Goddard and Marc Gluskie were the 5th placed team overall in an extremely strong field of 167 teams and quite close time-wise to third place. Oscar Phillips paired with Jordy Davis to place 14th overall. Teams had to ride and cover the whole distance together.

Older orienteers also did well. Daryl Smith’s team won the over 50 years category and was 23rd overall while Jon McComb and John Whittington were close behind in 28th place.

1st – 4 hrs 56 Peter Hatton, Neil VanDerPloeg
2nd – 5 hrs 21 Sid Tabberlay Ben Bradley
3rd – 5 hrs 35
5th – 5 hrs 46 Tom Goddard, Marc Gluskie
14 – 6 hrs 28 Oscar Phillips, Jordy Davis
23 – 6 hrs 53 Daryl Smith, Grant Dixon
28 – 7 hrs 06 Jon McComb, John Whittington
Full results and reports can be found at: www.wildwheelpromotions.com.au

Kay Haarsma

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A successful 6 day MTBO training camp has just been completed in Victoria. The camp had looked in doubt with the flooding currently taking place in central Victoria, and there were hassles finding an open road to some of the maps, but in the end we had ideal weather and were able to train on 12 different maps.

There were participants from Tasmania, Western Australia, ACT and Victoria including 3 Tassie juniors.

The camp started with two days in the Bendigo area and then they rode in Maryborough, Newstead, Woodend and the final two days were in Ballarat.

In Bendigo some of the riders competed in a local mountain bike cross country event, with Marc Gluskie (TAS) being our best performer.

One of the highlights was a full SI sprint race around the University of Ballarat which was won by Oscar Phillips (TAS).

The last activity was a race in Nerrina which was taken out by Marc Gluskie narrowly from Grant Lebbink (VIC). The majority of participants were juniors which augurs well for the future.

Kay Haarsma (coach)

A discussion forum has been set up for news, offers of/requests for assistance etc. for Queensland orienteers affected by the floods. It is running off Blair Trewin’s Attackpoint log at http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp/message_495631. (You need to create a user name to post).

The best wishes of all in Australian orienteering go out to those affected by this situation.

Update from Orienteering Queensland – Friday 14 January

In the aftermath of the Queensland floods, Orienteering Queensland is slowly piecing together information about who amongst the orienteering fraternity may have been adversely affected. Communications, particularly in Brisbane, have been severely hampered by power cuts affecting internet access and re-charging of mobile phones. Power is slowly being restored across affected areas so if you are wondering why emails and phone calls are not being answered by your friends this is the reason.

In summary, at this stage it appears that orienteers in Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Warwick and Stanthorpe have not suffered any substantial damage to their properties. In Ipswich, we know of at least one evacuation and are awaiting details of others who may have been affected. We understand that the Deucker family, who some orienteers may remember from the 1980’s and 90’s and who now live at Grantham in the Brisbane Valley, are probably safe as their house was on an elevated site. The status of one orienteer’s house in Withcott at the foot of the Toowoomba Range is unknown.

As you would have seen from media reports, the situation in Brisbane is dire. We know of one family’s home in Fig Tree Pocket that was completely submerged and local Ugly Gully members are helping with their evacuation and recovery. Others in vulnerable areas are still being checked as are those in the southern suburbs of Moorooka and Fairfield. OQ’s state director of coaching, Fiona Calabro, was fortunate that their riverside home at Bulimba was not inundated although they had a spectacular view of what was floating past in the river.

It will take some time for the impact of the flood on people’s lives to be assessed, Meanwhile, if you want to find out about your friends and have been unable to reach them, contact Orienteering Queensland on oq@oq.asn.au or 1300 799 736 and we will try and pass on information.

The organisers of the 2011 Capital Orienteering Festival are pleased to alert potential attendees of the opportunity to also engage with the 2011 Canberra Festival and other local attractions.

Orienteering often takes place in isolated areas but the organisers of the 2011 event wanted to bring orienteering back to the people. The 2011 Capital Orienteering Festival will take place within a few kilometres of the Canberra CBD, allowing those participating in, spectating, or just travelling with friends and family lots of opportunities to experience Canberra.

Ben Rattray explains,
“We wanted everyone to be close together and not spend too much time just travelling out to and back from events. We want those attending to be able to enjoy Canberra, not just the orienteering. The venues selected not only offer great orienteering, but are within walking distance of great tourist desitnations such as the Australian Institute of Sport and the National War Memorial. What’s more, it turns out the 2011 Canberra Festival is on at the same time. I note that there is even a large celebration in Commonwealth Park on the Saturday night everyone can enjoy.

Although isolated terrain often adds to the technical challenge things like well designed courses, different race formats, and changing the competitors challenge they put on themselves will make for a great orienteering experience.”
So there is lots of orienteering, and lots to do. Time to start planning.

The Capital Orienteering Festival is the first round of the 2011 SILVA National Orienteering League

Christmas 5 Days event reports are below and at http://www.nsw.orienteering.asn.au/ Full results, splits and Routegadget maps are at http://www.nsw.orienteering.asn.au/

Dick Ogilvie has announced that next year’s Five Days will return to its spiritual home of the NSW Central Coast so a swim in the surf at a beach should be readily available after each morning event.

Two of the five days of the 2010 Christmas 5-Days at Armidale have been completed, with a sprint at the University of New England followed by challenging courses in the complex granite of Banalasta. The turnout has been good, although numerous Queenslanders failed to make the first day (and some the second) after being stranded by floods.

Julian Dent has held sway in Men A so far, winning both days comfortably. His only major opponent on the second day was Swedish international Mats Troeng, who was the only competitor within nine minutes of him. Perhaps the most impressive performance, though, was that of junior Lachlan Dow in the sprint, taking second just ahead of Troeng and Dave Shepherd. Other juniors to impress were Ian Lawford (fifth on day 1) and Joshua Blatchford (third on day 2).

There has been more variety in Women A with a complete changeover of places between the two days. It was an international clean sweep in the sprint, with the Swedes Johanna Oberg and Malin Andersson separated by Lithuanian Rasa Ptasekaite. At Banalasta, though, it was the locals who came to the fore, especially Jo Allison who finished five minutes clear of the field. Anna Sheldon and Tracy Marsh filled the minor placings.

The event continues tomorrow on gully-spur terrain east of Armidale.

Results and splits are available through the 5-days page.

Orienteering Australia National Junior Coach Roch Prendergast has announced training plans for 2011. These commence with training for interested juniors at the Christmas Five Days next week. To have some idea of numbers, Roch would appreciate an email from interested juniors before Boxing Day. Email: prenderg@tpg.com.au

Christmas 5 Days, Armidale

Dec 27: 6pm Meet with all juniors and parents (Location to be announced)

Dec 28: Junior training on same map after presentations

Dec 29: Junior training at Oakview( Steve Doyle organising)

Dec 30: Evening talk and group meal

Dec 31: Meet with all juniors time permitting

January Training Camp (11-15 January, Canberra)

3 to 4 days of training for all Juniors in the squads or not.  Costs slightly more for those not in the squad

National O League Event 12-13 March, Canberra

All squad members should attend this weekend.  Performances may be considered for selection.

Weekend Training Ballarat 26-29 March: Open to all who wish to attend. 

Easter 22-25 April, WA: Principal JWOC Squad selection trial.
Week following Easter: Training for Juniors during the week as a lead up to the weekend NOL. Format and process to be announced.  Open to all Juniors.

Pre JWOC Camp Ballarat May or June: For all members of JWOC Team and emergencies.

Orienteering Australia is seeking to fill the position of Australian MTBO Coach for 2011-2012.

The duties can be found at MTBO Coach Job Description Dec 2010.pdf.

Applications and any questions can be directed to Kay Haarsma, Manager (High Performance). Email kayhaarsma@hotmail.com or ph 08 8337 0522 (h)

Applications close 31 December 2010.