Canberra Cockatoos continued their dominance of the National Orienteering League, with a strong performance in the Easter 3-Days Prologue. The Cockatoos won the day by virtue of their Men’s Team (Grant Bluett, 1st; Rob Walter 2nd and Tom Quayle 5th), while the Victorian Nuggets took out the Women’s Teams (Natasha Key 1st, Clare Hawthorne 5th, Kathryn Ewels 8th).

In the women’s race, Tasmanian junior Hanny Allston shot to the lead – but spectators could already see that Jo Allison, who started 1 minute behind Hanny, would beat her time. It was then a nervous wait for last starter, Natasha Key, who appeared on cue to take the race by 7 seconds.

The Men’s race was thrown into disarray by the reigning Canberra Marathon Champion and Park-O specialist, Martin Dent, making the early running with a cracking time of 13:10. Dent would have won the day with that time, but finish officials soon discovered he missed the 11th control. Instead, late starter Grant Bluett came through to trump the early leader, Rob Walter, for a narrow win.

Team scores
Seniors

Juniors