Grant Bluett extended his lead in the National Orienteering League today with victories in both races in the “Call of the West” series. In the morning middle distance race Bluett had a narrow victory over his Canberra Cockatoo rival David Shepherd. Ben Rattray (Southern Arrows) had a breakthrough performance, coming in third place – his best result for the year so far.

In the afternoon forest sprint race Bluett again prevailed.
This time Danish international (and Victorian Nugget) Rune Olsen produced his best performance since moving to Melbourne, coming in second, with Eric Morris (NSW Stingers) third. Ben Rattray maintained his morning form, and finished in fourth place.

In the Women’s middle distance race Natasha Key (Victorian Nuggets) showed a sparkling return to form after a somewhat disappointing Easter (by her standards). She won by 54 seconds from NSW Stinger Tracy Bluett, and consistent Canberra Cockatoo Jo Allison in third place.

Other notable performances included Anna Sheldon (Qld Cyclones – 4th).
The afternoon’s sprint race produced one of the tightest results in this year’s National League – and a change at the top compared to the morning’s race.
Reigning Australian long distance Champion Clare Hawthorne (Victorian Nuggets) won by 4 seconds to fellow Victorian Kathryn Ewels and Canberra Cockatoo Jo Allison, who tied for second place.

The standout result of the day was Victorian junior Jasmine Neve who placed 6th in the middle distance and 4th in the sprint. She leaves directly from Perth for the Junior World Championships in Switzerland, and will travel with high hopes for good results there.

The terrain was lightning fast granite. Clearing and grazing on the area meant that running was unusually easy for WA, but the complex granite increased the technical difficulty.
The National League shifts to the Chittering Valley tomorrow where runners will face the difficult prospect of a physically demanding long distance race in spur-gully terrain.

After 9 rounds, the Canberra Cockatoos have extended their lead in the total pointscore competition. The Victorian Nuggets have made up ground on the NSW Stingers – they are now equal second on 112 points. Of the remaining States, WA Nomads have been unable to take advantage of their local knowledge, and are in 6th place behind the Queensland Cyclones (4th), with the Southern Arrows in 5th. The Tasmanian Foresters had limited representation in WA, with only Grace Elson and Danielle Winslow making the trip west, and remain in 7th place.