Event report: MetrO 2

The second event of the 2024-2025 Metro Series was held at Yokine Regional Open Space, running through the dog parks and suburbs of Yokine and Coolbinia. The weather conditions were sunny and clear skies, with a howling wind that snapped the finish flag numerous times!

The Course Setter and MC, Riley McFarlane, created a headspin for numerous veteran orienteers on all courses, which was particularly refreshing for a record number of newcomers and also our tight-knit orienteering community. There were 7 controls to pick from on the Short, 11 on the Medium Course, and 20 on the Long. Course lengths were a bit shorter; however, with the fast-flowing networks of roads with notoriously small alleyways, the navigation was harder than expected for some orienteers.

We had many newcomers turn up again, with 80 participants, including individuals and groups, running through the suburbs and land reserves. We hope that their experience can entice more newcomers to become members for 2025.

For our podium placers in each course, a fair few runners shuffled around their normal expected courses that Riley McFarlane had initially been predicted. The Podium for the short course for the women consisted of Debra Lethbridge in 3rd , Janet Fletcher (our prize winner) in 2nd, Helen Post taking her second win for the Series, and for the men, we had Mike Sibbald in 3rd, Tony Simpkins in 2nd, and Tom Brownlie in 1st. The podium in the Medium course for the women had Daist McCauley in 3rd , bested by Kimberley Clifton in 2nd (also our prize winner), and in 1st overall for the second time was Amy Dufty, and for the Men, Archie Brownlie, son of Tom, placing 3rd , and in 2nd place was Ruben Classens, and Joseph Coleman took the commanding win overall. In the Long course, for the women’s class, Kate Braid placed in 3rd place, sitting behind her mother Ceri Pass in 2nd (Prize winner), and Rachel West took her second win. Lastly, in the Men’s category for the long, we had Volker Gartz in 3rd , Craig Dufty in 2nd place, and Sten Classens, multiple-time Open Metro Series Champion, back on top with his first series win.

Thanks to Liam Dufty, Ekaterina Klyukina, and Melinda Richards for running the registration and results computer, control collectors Ron Marcus, Ken & Helen Post (who also helped with photography), Natasha Thackray, and Ken, Carol, Tom and Archie Brownlie. Thanks also to Sharon McFarlane and Mark Lommers for consistently supporting
the Western Nomads; vision for the resurgence of the successful metro series.

Results can be found on Eventor, detailed splits at the Metro Series Splits page and some photos from the event on Facebook. Some peoples' route choices are available on Livelox. If you are new to Livelox, why not have a look at our intro to Livelox article, and find out how to add your route next time!