• Mosman Park
  • Sunday, 22 December 2024

A stoic, and fantastically large, group of orienteers braved the predicted very hot day and tested themselves against the latest Christmas O challenge. As it turned out the weather wasn’t too bad early in the morning, and everyone finished safe and sound. Phew!

This year it was a Santa “biathlon”, requiring running around Mosman Park to collect numbers on MetrO style control flags in a Sudoku grid imposed on the map, place the numbers discovered into a Sudoku grid above the map, and then solve the Sudoku puzzle. If all numbers were found then the puzzle was Very Easy, but it was certainly possible to solve the puzzle without collecting all the numbers. But which controls should be left out? Hmmm. Four courses were offered, with the shorter ones having the Sudoku puzzle largely pre-filled, so fewer controls had to be visited.

My hat’s off to all those who got around and solved the Sudoku in amazingly fast times. It was a testament to the many talents that orienteers possess. No challenge is too daunting for that hearty bunch.

The winners on the Short course were 1st Duncan Sullivan and 3rd Kath Lommers. On the Moderate course 1st Liisa Hirvonen, 2nd Eli Goodchild and 3rd Neve Lommers and on the long 1st Joseph Coleman, 2nd Ricky Thackray. I’m not sure who was second on the short and third on the long as the maps were taken before I wrote down the results. Oops – Santa is not good at keeping records! The rest of you all did very well but didn’t make the podium. There were chocolates for the winners, but you had to be quick before they melted.

The photo shows the map from the long course with the numbers against the control circles to help you out. You can use this to fill in the Sudoku as competitors did and then solve the puzzle. I’m timing you!

Thanks to all who came along to join in the fun. It’s on again next year with a secret Santa setter!

Noel Schoknecht

... And lastly and not at all least, a big thank you from all of us who enjoyed Noel's fun event. We are so appreciative of the effort you put into so many Christmas O events.

Photo: (left) Noel's doctoral robes were perfect for a Christmas event, taken by Ken Brownlie. (right) The long course map.

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Acknowledgement of country

Noongar country logo 2023 150pxNgalak kaaditj nidja Noongar Boodjar. Koora-Yeyi-Kalyakool.

Orienteering WA acknowledges the Noongar people, the Traditional and continuing Custodians of the land on which we gather to enjoy our sport, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.