Vic Autumn series

Shortened but sweet

The plan in 2021 had been to combine the VIC Autumn and VIC Spring series into one, but for the first seven events referenced the Autumn series only and the “Spring” part of the bush program ended up being a no goer as Melbourne moved into its series of lockdowns. So for most people this series remained the VIC Autumn series. Originally seven Autumn events were scheduled into Eventor and four actually took place. That is pretty good given all the mobility restrictions that were in force during the year.

The series this year commenced on the March long weekend, as part of a NOL weekend, which incorporated a sprint, middle and a long event and the two bush events also being VIC Autumn 1 & 2 for the non-elites. The NOL sprint was held on the Saturday morning prior to the included course options for everyone. Run jointly by CHOC & YVOC at Gisborne High, the courses tested navigation techniques taking in the cemetery, a small forest area and the college.

Mt Alexander

After the sprint it was a quick move to Mount Alexander for the first event of the series run by Bendigo Orienteers, with Jim Russell as course planner. Jim had planned courses from a “high” remote start. For the period where it was fine – the views were fantastic. These were tough courses, made tougher when a band of wet and cold weather settled over the mountain from early in the event. Being a NOL weekend there were lots of interstaters, some taking out the top positions in the VIC Autumn series competition. Local winners were: C 1M:

Petticoat Gully

Event two followed on the Sunday with Eureka’s event at Petticoat Gully in Creswick, with Ian Lawford as course planner. Well what a contrast - the weather behaved and the courses did not involve a huge amount of climb which was most appreciated by the competitors. Again some top places went to the interstaters with local winners being: C2W: Moria Kuffer; C2M: Warren Key; C5M: Neo Kozma.

Boundary Creek

The third event followed in early May at Boundary Creek, after the AUS 3-Day event in NSW. Russell Bulman and Dennis Trewin were joint course planners and the day was organised by Yarra Valley Orienteers. It was a great turnout with great courses to match, including the score course. Unfortunately people did not feel comfortable staying around for the prize giving, with lots of people leaving as soon as they had completed their course. The winners today were: C1M: Richard Goonan; C1W: Aislinn Prendergast; C2M: Mason Arthur; C2W: Moria Kuffer; C3M: Rob Lewis; C3W: Natasha Key; C4M: Greg Palmer C4W: Ella Lang; C5M: Rory Nankervis; C5W: Amelia Nankervis; Score: Rod Gray.

Mt Tarrengower

This event hosted by NE with courses planned by Rex Niven just squeaked in before “Lockdown” reared its head again the following week. For most this was a fun event amongst the rock with the shorter courses staying on the lower slopes. Unluckily a misplaced control, plus one missing one meant that C1 had to be made non-competitive. But the day was fine, people could get together and socialise and enjoy their time out in the bush. The winners today were: C2M: Tim Hatley; C2W: Clare Brownridge; C3M: Carl Dalheim; C3W: Georgina Macken; C4M: Alexander Rowlands C4W: Sammy Love; C5M: Joshua Layton; C5W: Angelina Kozma; Score: Rod Gray.