NEWS Flood-O
Too Many WOC’s?
Year 12 results
Melbourne’s downpour on February 2 caused the cancellation of the following night’s event at Yarra Flats Park. More than 5 inches (in the old money) of rain fell overnight and when event organisers went to check they found the whole area well and truly under water. There was no provision for snorkel-O courses so the event was cancelled – the first time ever in Melbourne’s 25 year-old Summer Series program.
Austrian OF president Fritz Woitsch also writes in OEFOL: “In recent years the number of World Championship (WOC) and regional championship events has continually increased and at the same time there are more Orienteering disciplines: foot, ski and MTB‑O. Orienteering is now a sport which is practised worldwide. In 2004 there were nine WOC’s and two European Championships: these overextended the financial resources of the Austrian Federation. It was only the commitment of elite athletes and coaches, including much time and money, that meant Austria could be represented at all important events. The increasing number of events means it is also harder to find organisers. They can get burnt out. When the fixture calendar is drawn up, it is just not possible to please everyone. The sheer number of regional, national and international events cannot always be coordinated ideally. Elite orienteers cannot take part in every important competition and training camp. The system seems overloaded. Less is more – we should think about it.” New Zealand has also argued in the IOF against annual World Championships, citing the high cost for small and distant countries as being a major obstacle to fielding teams each year. Sure enough, the NZ team at the 2004 WOC in Sweden comprised only three men, two women and no officials. A return to biennial world championships is unlikely so it’s been recommended that New Zealand field full teams at every second WOC, and use the intermediate years to blood new team members.
Simon Uppill recently got the highest possible score of 99.95 in Year 12 in South Australia. He’s the latest in a fine tradition in Australian Orienteering – others who have scored this (or the equivalent) include, in approximate chronological order, Steve Craig, Blair Trewin, Susie and Andy Hogg, Bruce Arthur, William Hawkins, Ben Schulz, Kirsten Fairfax, Jamie Potter and Georgie Statham. This means National Junior Squad members are about 200 times more likely to achieve the feat than members of the general population.
Austria - Salzburg and WMOC, June-July 2006 At the end of June 2006, Salzburg is the centre for a multi-day event leading up to the World Masters Orienteering Championships (open to all 35+) scheduled for 1-7 July, at Wiener Neustadt, 30 minutes by frequent train from Vienna. Look for more at www.WMOC06.com
Austria’s WMTB-O Title Fritz Woitsch, president of the Austrian Orienteering Federation, writes in their magazine OEFOL, “The Austrian elite are in a position to reach the very top if they subordinate everything else to this goal and commit all their strength and endurance to it. Michi (Michaela Gigon) is the example of this – and not just in her chief discipline, MTB-O. All Orienteering in Austria benefits from this world title. We can promote our performances nationally and internationally. Austria has achieved it – we thank our Michi.”
AFL orienteers Seen on the track to Wine Glass Bay in the Freycinet National Park, Tasmania – a control flag being used by Port Adelaide footballers in a pre-Xmas navigation training exercise. Reported by former Red Kangaroo orienteer, Liz Hubbert, who is Interpretation Ranger at the National Park.
Daniel Hubmann, Switzerland’s new star 21 year-old joiner Daniel Hubmann shot to prominence in 2004. At the World Cup finals last October in Dresden, Germany – his first World Cup appearance – he was one of the youngest competitors and made the podium three times. He was 2nd in the Sprint and Middle-distance, 5th in the Long and won a silver medal in the Relay. Daniel was Junior World Champion in 2002. His coach is 2003 Long-distance world champion Thomas Bührer.
Night events With daylight-saving drawing to a close many urban orienteers are gearing up for night events in the streets of our major cities. Some residents of Melbourne’s suburbs must wonder just what’s going on when people run or walk by with lights on their heads and maps in their hands. And then they all seem to kneel down on the ground at lightpoles – (is this some kind of ritual?). Some of the walking styles in particular draw howls of laughter from watching kids. Surfing the Web a while back a night Orienteering series in London turned up – the South East Night League, or SENiLe for short. Perhaps we’re all a bit that way.
Orienteering Australia News Anti-Doping Policy
Orienteering Australia has upgraded its Anti-Doping Policy from Jan 1, 2005, in line with requirements of the Australian Sports Commission and WADA.
Australian 3-Days 2007
The 2007 Easter event will be held in South Australia, April 13-16.
Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award
Orienteering Australia will institute this award in 2005. Competitors in all Orienteering disciplines will be considered.
OA Badge Awards
Credits for OA Badge awards can now be obtained at national Middledistance and Sprint Championships, and at nominated State Sprint and Middle-distance Championships. States are encouraged to nominate their events for Badge credits. There was a very long list of Badge awards at the end of 2004 – too long to print. But you can view the awards on the Orienteering Australia web site at: www.orienteering.asn.au For further information contact: John Oliver, 68 Amaroo St, Wagga Wagga 2650 Ph (02) 6922 6208 (AH) oliver.family@bigpond.com.au
New Age Classes
Good news for some of our more senior orienteers - the age classes M80 and W80 have been added to all national events.
Aus Middle-distance Championships
These Championships will be hosted by Victoria in 2006 and South Australia in 2007. From 2008 it’s likely that the three distances – Sprint, Middle and Long – will be scheduled into the same carnival.
JWOC 2007
Hosted by NSW, the JWOC carnival will include the Australian Schools Championships.
AUS MTB-O 2006
The 2006 MTB-O Championships are scheduled for October 10-12 at Collie, West Australia.
APOC 2006
Hong Kong will host APOC 2006 during 22-31 December.
MARCH 2005 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER 7
