The Ultimax 5-days culminated with a reverse order (best last) start based on competitors best 3 results of the first 4 days. The local “Goldseekers” Orienteering club organized the final day, taking the reigns from the Ultimax Stingers team. The tough granite terrain of the last 4 days was also replaced by spur/gully terrain with predominate pine tree forest. Heavy rain during the morning would have put a smile on the faces of local farmers, but made conditions difficult in the steep and slippery terrain.

In the Men’s A class, Mats Troeng (SWE) was leading Julian Dent (NSW), Olav Lundanes (NOR) and Carsten Joergenson (DEN) in a very competitive international field. Lundanes caught Joergensen at #7 after a mistake, and a different route to #10 allowed Dent catch them both. This pack pushed each other very hard to the end of the course, with Lundanes (40.27) showing great speed to open up a small gap at the finish over Joergensen (41.34). Dent (39.41) impressively hung on to two of the fastest athletes in the sport to take the win. Troeng (41.37) raced alone to finish 4^th.

In the Ultimax 5-days overall pointscore, Dent moved into 1^st place after his Day 5 win, but was ineligible for first prize as he was part of the NSW Stingers organising team. Troeng was 2^nd, Lundanes 3^rd and Joergensen 4^th. Australia’s top hope for 2007 JWOC in Dubbo, Simon Uppill, had a great week to finish 5^th.

In Women’s A, New Zealand had their first success, with promising junior Amber Morrison (41.53) leading the race from the 2^nd control. Morrison was part of a large contingent of kiwi juniors in Australia for the 5-days and pre-JWOC training camp. Norway’s Mali Fjogstad Nilsen (43.49) overcame a slow start to finish 2^nd. Grace Elson (44.24) in 2^nd place until losing time at #9, then fought back to take 3^rd place. In the Ultimax 5-days overall pointscore, Elson held onto her lead, with Nilsen 2^nd, and Victoria’s Jasmine Neve finishing 3^rd.

A great array of prizes were provided to placegetters, including Berghaus backpacks for the winners. Many other lucky draw prizes were available for our other sponsors including Ultimaxsocks, The Robin Hood Hotel , Run for Your Life – running magazine, AROCSPORT and Basil & Jean Baldwin’s vineyard, Fourjay Farms.

Winsplits