Important MTBO information for 2018
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 February 2018 12:25
There is a lot of mountain bike orienteering happening in the first half of 2018.
It's great fun, excellent cross training and an alternative to Foot O if you are not in a position to walk or run.
So that you can plan your calendar, here is our condensed version of what's ahead.
At a major level:
* the first NOL weekend - and the Australian selection trials - are in Creswick, Victoria on March 17-18. Nominations close on Mar 16.
* the annual AUS-NZ Challenge is in Alexandra (south island) on April 25-26. Nominations close on Feb 16.
* the Australian championships are in northern Brisbane on May 19-20.
* the senior and junior world championships are in Austria from August 5-13.
For those interested in nominating, the Orienteering Australia selection criteria can be found halfway down this page.
On a more local level, ACT are putting on a training weekend on Feb 17-18 (see the flyer) and three winter events plus the ACT champs in October.
In NSW, our Newcastle club puts on a monthly Sunday morning event (see the BOSS web page - the next one is this Sunday, February 11), while our NSW champs will be on in mid-October.
Last year, Big Foot's Lucy Mackie became the first NSW orienteer to win a medal at world championship level when she finished second in the Middle Distance MTBO junior champs. What glory lies ahead?
Ski O locked in for Sun Aug 12
- Last Updated: Friday, 02 February 2018 10:38
Our annual ski orienteering day at Perisher will be held on Sunday August 12.
The 2018 NSW & ACT Ski-Orienteering Championships are the fifth year in a row we have staged this event since it was revived by Big Foot's Swede Patrik Gunnarsson. It is now jointly organised by Big Foot, ACT club Red Roos and Perisher X Country.
Participants can choose from: Long, Middle and Short line courses, a 2-hour Snogaine or a 1-2-hour family treasure hunt.
Please note that downhill skis and snowboards are not suitable - you need cross-country skis.
This event forms part of XC Ski week, with the start in front of the beautiful Nordic Shelter at Perisher. Last year's event drew a record 51 participants.
Pre-entry via Eventor is preferred, but if you wish to enter on the day please email the organisers (Marina Iskhakova and Fedor Iskhakov) in advance so they know how many maps to print.
Strong NSW results at Sprint Canberra
- Last Updated: Monday, 29 January 2018 11:33
Garingal's Aidan Dawson showed his short-form pedigree with an excellent 6th placing overall at the Sprint Canberra weekend.
With five races over four days in 30+ temps, Aidan was consistent across the high-quality event to be the leading NSW orienteer in the top division. Our Finnish scholar Konsta Vanhanen (Goldseekers) was 8th.
Just as impressive was clubmate Alex Kennedy (pictured) taking second place in the Medium class. Alex had two seconds and two thirds to display strong form across all four days.
Newcastle veteran Malcolm Roberts finished 5th in the Medium class, and Waggaroos' Alex Davey seventh - not bad for two chaps on the 'wrong' side of 60. Central Coast's Jose Zapata was 8th, including a win on the final day on Sunday morning.
The Short category was dominated by younger juniors - with the exception of CC's Julia Prudhoe who finished second behind Victorian Sophie Arthur. Well done Julia. Other encouraging results were from sub-juniors Aoife Rothery (Big Foot, 7th) and Rory and Euan Shedden (SHOO, 9th and 10th).
The event attracted 224 entries and was a big success in raising funds for the OA High Performance Squad. We thank organiser Jim Russell for leading this great initiative.
SSS Cup line course entries close Tue night
- Last Updated: Monday, 29 January 2018 10:58
Garingal organisers have extended entries for this Wednesday's Anniversary Cup SSS line course until 9pm Tuesday night.
The special 6pm mass start event celebrates the series founding 27 years ago, and we can expect another classic from our 'Oscars' setter Dan Redfern.
This week we are at Blackman Park for a mix of street, park and bush track that always offers up something surprising - and beautiful views of Lane Cove River.
Normal SSS participants must enter on the day as usual. There will be no MINI course this week.
