Experienced orienteers Eric Morris from Bennelong Club in Sydney and Wendy Read from Ugly Gully in Brisbane turned in outstanding performances at the two day Queensland Orienteering Championships at Flagstone to beat their younger rivals.

Both Eric and Wendy are old enough to compete in the 35+ age group but chose to run in the top 21A class. Eric won by over 7 minutes over the two days while Wendy just edged out club mate Julia Davies by 38 seconds. The event was conducted in excellent weather with temperatures in the low 20s.

There was much praise for the map by Rob Simson and the course setting by Neil Simson and Fiona Calabro. Running times by a number of the class winners was a little faster than anticipated though close enough to the target times.

Nearly 250 competitors took part in the two day event with the youngest being several 5 year olds escorted around the novice course, and the oldest, Elizabeth Baxter in the W75+ age class. British visitors Simon and Helen Errington and Spanish visitor Lluis Ferrer enjoyed the challenge of competing in unfamiliar terrain. Simon won the M40A class, Helen was 3rd in the W40A, while Lluis finished 7th in the M21A.

The organisers would like to thank the controller, Tim McIntyre from Ugly Gully, the Junior Cyclones catering group, all the Toohey Forest Club members who pitched in and helped in planning and preparation during the two days of competition, and also those including some members from other clubs who stayed behind and helped pack up and bring in controls on the Sunday afternoon.