2008 Archive

It was deja vu at today’s National Orienteering League events at Maryborough as Simon Uppill and Hanny Allston once again won easily, for the third time in as many events.

Uppill was three minutes clear of the field. His closest rival was Eric Morris, who had a disappointing weekend but came good in today’s faster and more open terrain. Craig Dufty completed the placings, matching the career-best National League result which he achieved on Sunday.

Allston was even more dominant, winning every split except the last and finishing six minutes ahead. Junior Laurina Neumann continued her excellent form to take second place, ahead of Susanne Casanova and Queensland duo Anna Sheldon and Bridget Anderson. Neumann was the leading junior, while Scott McDonald’s time from the Schools event was enough to make him the leading junior man, ahead of Oliver Mitchell.

Uppill’s win secured the individual National League title, whilst Jo Allison also wrapped up the title today without taking a step after Susanne Casanova failed to get the win she needed. Neumann is virtually certain to win the junior girls’ competition after her result today. The class in most doubt is the junior boys’, where Mitchell leads Geoff Stacey; Bryan Keely has a race in hand but may struggle to post another result after being forced out today by a recurrence of a foot injury.

The Canberra Cockatoos enjoy comfortable leads in both senior divisions and should be able to cover the likely absence of Dave Shepherd through injury this weekend. The Queensland Cyclones are equally dominant in the junior girls’, while the junior boys’ will come down to the relays with the Victorian Nuggets trying to hold on with a depleted team.

Results now available.

Simon Uppill and Hanny Allston took their second victories of the weekend in the Queensland Long Distance Champs. The terrain was much similar to yesterday’s with some steeper sections and thicker bush in the creeks to keep competitors honest.

James Bradshaw (NZL) came storming out of the blocks to lead for the first two controls but then Simon Uppill (OH-S) took control of the race and never relinquished the lead. Grant Bluett (AO-A) completed a repeat quinella from yesterday taking second whilst Craig Dufty (BO-W) scored his best NOL result since 2003 when he beat Darren Ashmore (NZL) into third.

Hanny Allston (AL-T) continued her success with a dominating fourteen minute victory over Amber Morrison (NZL). Allston won the first split by over a minute and never looked back. Susanne Casanova (WA-S)took the final podium position, Lene Godager (UG-Q) had third until she lost 4 minutes at the 11th.

The Men’s Junior Elite top three was separated by only 46 seconds with Oliver Mitchell (UG-Q) heading Josh Blatchford (NC-N) and Oscar Phillips (EV-T). Laurina Neumann (EN-Q) had it easier in the Junior Womens class, beating out two Kiwis, Angela Simpson and Kate Morrison.

Full results and splits here.

Competitors have a day of respite on Monday to relax and enjoy the beaches and cafes before the Australian Schools Champs and supporting SILVA NOL races and public race on Tuesday morning.

Hanny Allston made a triumphant return to Australian orienteering with a comfortable win in the women’s open class at today’s Australian Middle Distance Championships near Maryborough in Queensland. She has been studying in New Zealand for most of this year and this was her first Australian event since 2007. Her margin was as comfortable as those she became accustomed to in recent years; more than four minutes. Best of the rest was local Anna Sheldon, also on the comeback trail after an injury-interrupted year, with Susanne Casanova third and Ilka Barr achieving another career-best elite result with fourth.

Simon Uppill went into the race as a clear favourite, with the other members of the Australian WOC team absent (Dave Shepherd through an ankle injury which also puts him in serious doubt for the rest of the week). It was not a stellar run by his standards but it was still enough to win by two minutes over Grant Bluett. Lorenzo Calabro achieved his best result for several years in a close battle for third, in which 32 seconds separated him, Rob Preston, Blair Trewin and Darren Ashmore.

Scott McDonald gave the visiting New Zealand contingent something to cheer about with a 19-second win in M17-20E, just ahead of late JWOC replacement Geoff Stacey. Kurt Neumann, still only a first-year M16, impressed with a close third. Not for the first time in Queensland, there were good results for other members of the Neumann clan too, with Laurina and Krystal first and third in W17-20E, separated by New Zealander Kate Morrison.

Results and splits now available.

A new area on the Southern Highlands played host to the NSW Long Championships over the weekend. ‘Wattle Ridge’ was a throw back to days of classic Sydney Sandstone amongst heavy vegetation.

The men’s open class was a tight one with the top four competitors within four minutes after over an hour and a half of racing. It was Rob Walter (RRA) who took the the lead briefly, for the first control, before Eric Morris (BNN) clawed past him and took a slender lead ahead of Walter and Paul Liggins (ALT) until the 10th. Here Rob Walter snuck in front until losing time at the 13th handing the lead to Liggins. Liggins dropped the lead briefly at controls 20 and 21 before regaining it and holding on for a 68 second victory over Morris who was 14 seconds ahead of Walter. It was the first time Liggins has won an open state title outside Tasmania.

Jo Allison (RRA) was the favourite heading into the women’s race and she didn’t disappoint, winning easily with a seven-minute margin. Youngster Belinda Lawford (AOA) held the lead for part of the race but couldn’t hold off her more experienced rival. Briohny Davey (WRN) lost time at the fourth, effectively leaving her out of contention.

In other classes, two former WOC representatives had a tight race in the M35s with Steve Craig, back from Sweden,  edging out Jock Davis (BFN) whereas both the M45 and M55 had large victories to Mark Darvodelsky (BFN) and Robert Preston (NCN) respectively. Visiting Tasmanian Christine Brown (EVT) tookout W45 by 16 minutes and Liz Abbott (POA) W50 by 19 minutes.

The Western Australian Championships were held for two disciplines on the weekend.

The Championships were held at Hill Park Dale, scene of the 2006 Australian Championships and the technical terrain made for competitive racing.  Saturday’s Middle Distance race proved surprising in more ways than one.  The event was held on what had been considered the less technical side of the map, but exceptional course setting by Carol Brownlie saw competitors tested to their limits.

The Open Men’s winner, Craig Dufty, had been expected to dominate the field but admitted afterwards that he did not feel able to fully open up the speed right through the course due to the need to maintain map contact and total concentration in the terrain.  He was pushed hard all the way by John Toomey who was never far from the lead and finished just 41 seconds down on Craig.  Steve Fletcher made a welcome return to the podium in 3rd place.

The Open Women’s race was difficult to predict beforehand, but Rachel West had a convincing and clear-cut victory over Cath Chalmers and Anthea Feaver.  Rachel took the lead early in the race and never relinquished it.  She finished almost two minutes clear of the others.

Results    Splits

For the first time the Long Distance Championship was a single day event (previously held over 2 days).  This time it was the Women’s class which saw tight competition with the lead swapping for much of the race.  Rachel West had entered the race uncertain of her endurance over the long distance after limited preparation (daughter Amy was born in May).  She took the lead early, but consistency through the early controls saw Cath Chalmers take the lead at control 4.  She lost it briefly after a major error at 7, but built a good 4 minute buffer by control 15.  From here to the finish Rachel was tiring but showed far superior concentration through the tricky final legs to take the lead at the final control and winning with a 15 second margin.  Jen Graham-Taylor showed that she is fast gaining foot orienteering skills building on her MTBO World Championships experience by taking 3rd place.

In winning the Men’s event Craig Dufty conducted a lesson in perfection.  He was fastest on all but 2 of the 23 legs, losing only 19 seconds to his competitors throughout the course.  John Toomey was second and Steve Fletcher 3rd in a repeat of Saturday’s placings.

Results   Splits

Susanne Casanova and Simon Uppill had success in the open classes at the SA Championships held on Worlds End in the final lead-up event before running for the Australian Bushrangers team against New Zealand next week in Qld.  Susanne finished ahead of her sister Jenny, with Zara Soden third.  John Nieuwenhoven and Brett Merchant, in his first championship in the open class, took out the placings in M21A.

The courses were on the original Worlds End map apart from M21A (see M21A  course) which extended onto the more physical terrain of Worlds End South used at the Australian Three Days in 2007.  Other class winners included Stephen Dose in M35A, Steve Cooper in M45A, Robin Uppill in W45A, and Lance Fairclough in M80A.  The spur gully terrain offered route choice possibilities, with those who were able to maintain map contact, generally mastering the terrain.  The more subtle contours in the early part of some courses invited fast running, but was less forgiving for those not keeping in touch with the map.

See full results

Orienteering Australia intends to conduct a Level 2 Coaching Workshop in Canberra on January 17th & 18th 2009.

The workshop is aimed at those Level 1 coaches wishing to increase their coaching skills and knowledge. It is hoped that a training camp will be organised concurrently to allow the participants to complete some of the practical component of the course.

Orienteering Australia actively encourages all members to participate in coaching programs. Not only does is help develop the sport and it’s competitors, it can help you reflect on your own Orienteering.

Anyone interested should contact Dave Meyer for more details. Those wishing to complete a Level 1 Coaching course should contact their state association.

All Australians intending to travel to New Zealand for the 2009 Oceania Championships carnival are invited to nominate for selection in the Australian team for the Australia-New Zealand Challenge, which will be contested in conjunction with the Oceania Long Distance and Relay Championships. The Challenge will be contested by teams of 3 in the following classes: M/W-16, -20, 21, 40, 50, 60 and 70.
All Australian citizens are eligible for selection (regardless of where they live). Australian residents who are not citizens are not eligible. If you are travelling to NZ, don’t be shy about nominating, even if you
don’t think you’re in the best three in your age group – sometimes we struggle to fill teams (especially in the younger masters age groups).
Nominations (a note advising your availability is sufficient) should be sent to Blair Trewin(b.trewin@bom.gov.au) no later than 26 September, or alternatively given to him in person at the Australian Championships carnival in Queensland. (Any requests for special consideration due to
injury, illness, organisational commitments etc. should also be sent to Blair). The team will be chosen following the Australian Long Distance Championships on 27 September.
The selection trials are as follows:
– all Masters classes: the Australian Long Distance Championships and the Australian 3-Days
– M/W21: Bushrangers team chosen according to normal Bushrangers criteria
– M/W16: Australian Long Distance Championships and Australian Schools Championships Individual* (same criteria as Schools Test Match)
– M/W20: Australian Long Distance Championships, Australian Schools Championships Individual* and Australian 3-Days (* – or parallel NOL event for those not in the Schools Championships)
Those who miss (or have already missed) one set of trials will still be considered for selection. This applies in particular to M/W20 where we appreciate that some non-Schools people will already be committed to missing the midweek events in Queensland. People in the ‘odd’ age groups (e.g. 55, 65) will also still be considered for selection, as will those entering a new age group in 2009 (if you are, it would be useful if you could tell us this with your nomination).
The Schools Test Match is a separate competition taking place during the carnival for which no nominations are required. Those selected for the Schools Test will automatically be considered for their age group in the Challenge and will not need to nominate separately.

A manager is sought for the Australian team for the 2009 Australia-New Zealand Challenge, to be contested in New Zealand in conjunction with the 2009 Oceania Championships.

The manager will be responsible for organising the team when in New Zealand and has a number of formal responsibilities under the Challenge rules (mostly relating to agreements between the countries on late team changes etc.). They may also have a role in pre-departure arrangements such as uniform orders (although this task may be shared with the OA Executive Officer). They will not be expected to organise any travel arrangements for the team to/from or in New Zealand.

While this task can be undertaken by a team member if necessary, it can be a distracting one (especially on relays day!) and is therefore best undertaken by someone outside the team.

If you are interested in taking on this job, please contact Orienteering Australia as soon as possible through the Executive Officer, Kay Grzadka, at orienteering@netspeed.com.au

Gorse (ulex europaeus) is, according to the Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, a weed of national significance. Others might consider different weeds to be more significant, but for competitors at the Tasmanian long distance championships at Glen Stuart in the northern midlands on Sunday, it was u. europaeus, or more precisely, how to avoid it,  that was the focus of their attention. It wasn’t that the gorse was inaccurately mapped, it’s just that the promise of a short-cut has a seductive appeal, and many have found that getting into the centre of a patch of gorse is often a lot easier than getting out.

Ryan Smyth successfully defended the title he won at Font Hill last year, with a 7 second winning margin over second-placed Paul Liggins with Louis Elson third. In W21, Jess Davis won her first senior state title ahead of Emma Warren and Jess Fuller-Smith.

Oscar Phillips won the under 20 Tasmanian cross-country title in August, and he followed that up with a decisive win in M20, ahead of Callum Fagg and Patrick Watts. The M20 course shared the first seven controls with the M21 course, and Oscar was in fact marginally ahead of Ryan when they parted company. In W20, Sarah Buckerfield was a clear winner ahead of Brea Pearce and Claire Butler.

After competing in Europe over the northern summer, Bert Elson might have fancied his chances in M55, but Nigel Davies bounced back from a rare local defeat at the recent Tasmanian badge event to retain his title, while Christine Brown (W45), and Barbara Tassell (W55) successfully readjusted to local conditions to win their classes.