Event report: SOL weekend

Last weekend saw tight competition at two events - a sprint on Saturday and a long bush course on Sunday - under wildly varying weather conditions. Both were State Orienteering League (SOL) events; whether you took part or not, check out the current rankings at the SOL results page.

Event Report: NavDash 9

Kent Street Senior High School

The first-ever sprint orienteering event at Kent Street Senior High School was held in near-perfect conditions, with only a few light drops of rain during the event. The newly prepared map showcased the school’s mix of open areas and complex building layouts, offering competitors a fresh and fast navigation challenge.

On the long course, Joseph Coleman secured victory by just 17 seconds, while Rachel West claimed the medium course with a commanding margin of a minute and a half. Tony Simpkins delivered a strong performance to win the short course by more than two minutes, and Christine Brown took out the honours on the easy course.

Thanks to Ken Brownlie for checking the map and controlling the courses, Heike for assistance with access and keys, Melinda for taking care of administration and registration, and the many KO members who helped with control collection at the close of the event.

Also many thanks to Graham Braid for making the map and setting some fun courses.

Results can be found on Eventor.
Check out some competitors route choices on Livelox.

Photos: Rohan racing, Nigel punching; taken by Ken Brownlie.

Event Report: Bush 10

Hill Park Dale

A total of 68 brave orienteers endured the weather forecast for the weekend’s second SOL event - a long distance bush race at Hill Park Dale. Despite some rain and fog earlier in the morning, the weather stayed okay for most runners. The worst didn’t hit until after the last starts, sending many eagerly waiting control collectors home before the courses closed.

The winning times were mostly within the specifications for a Long Distance SOL event, and it was nice to see the competitors utilising many different route choices, especially on the longer legs (check these out on Livelox!). The hilly terrain with lots of rock detail brings its own challenges, particularly on a wet day, when many competitors found running downhill amongst the wet rocks and grass especially challenging.

The winner on H1 was Lachlan Braid, and Archie Brownlie on H2. The shorter courses were dominated by women, with Amy Dufty taking the first place on H3, Ellie Samson on H4, Carol Brownlie on H5, Vicky Brownlie on E, and local casuals Tessa & Jemima Baston acing the M course. Competition was tough also on VE, with Christine Brown wedging herself 2nd between brothers Ryan and Gabriel Lawrence, all within 37 seconds.

It was great to see a few casuals at the event, including a large group with the farm owner, who all did incredibly well with their courses (albeit with the possible unfair advantage of knowing the terrain inside out).

Thanks go to setter & caravan tower Simon Windsor, controller Liisa Hirvonen, newcomer instructors Rob & Lois West, toilet tower Rob Beattie (who also helped with packing up), and Melinda for computing.  Thanks also, in advance, to the control collectors who will go back this week to retrieve the controls in fairer weather.

A big thank you also to the landowner and the farmer for continued access to this gorgeous and stimulating terrain.

Results are available on Eventor, and many routes on Livelox.

Photo: Amy and Ceri starting; taken by Liisa Hirvonen.