The final stage of the 2008 Australian 3-day Championships produced some dramatic finishes in the elite classes. The Chasing start saw many competitors close together and fighting for the overall win. The 3-days consisted of rounds 3-7 of the SILVA National Orienteering League, and also the selection races for the Australian team for the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Sweden in July.

Women’s 21 Elite– Allison Jones started first, but was closely followed by Jo Allison, Susanne Casanova, Vanessa Round and Kathryn Ewels all within 3mins. A fast start by Ewels saw her catch the Arrows Casanova and Round at the 1^st control. By the spectator control it was just Ewels and Allison left in the lead pack. Ewels was too strong in the finish and claimed her first Easter title by 18secs from Allison. Round, in her first year in senior elites, finished 3^rd.

Men’s 21 Elite– Southern Arrow pair Simon Uppill and Kerrin Rattray, and Cockatoo David Shepherd all started within 1min at the head of the men’s field. The group were all together until Shepherd fell and dislocated his thumb, forcing his retirement. Uppill was too fast into the last control and also claimed his first title by 13secs from Rattray. Grant Bluett, started the day in 5^th, but passed Rob Preston with a better route to #7 and held on to 3^rd place (surprisingly his best result since Easter 2006!).

Women’s 20 Elite– Qld Juniors have dominated this class recently, and today was no exception. Laurina Neumann was first starter closely followed by Bridget Anderson, with Krystal Neuman about 10mins behind. Neumann was first through the spectator control but the two leaders came together soon after in the very technical 2^nd half. Anderson managed to shake Neumann near the finish to win by 27seconds. Rachel Effeney overtook Krystal Neumann to finish in 3rd.

Men’s  20 Elite– Victoria’s Bryan Keely and Qld’s Oliver Mitchell were first starters in the Men’s Junior Elite. They were still together at the spectator control, but Keely, known as a very strong runner, was able to outrun Mitchell for his first major title. Tasmania’s Nick Andrewartha was 3rd place another 5mins back.

The overall results can be found here.  Splits from today’s race here.
The JWOC team is:

Bridget Anderson (QLD)
Rachel Effeney (QLD)
Belinda Lawford (ACT)
Krystal Neumann (QLD)
Laurina Neumann (QLD)
Aislinn Prendergast (VIC)
1st Reserve-Jess Davis (TAS)
Nick Andrewartha (TAS)
Lachlan Dow (ACT)
Bryan Keely (VIC)
Leon Keely (VIC)
Oliver Mitchell (QLD)
Oscar Phillips (TAS)
1st Reserve- Geoff Stacey (ACT)