ORIENTEERING AUSTRALIA
Silva Medal 2007 The Silva Medal for 2007 has been won by Maureen Ogilvie (W70 - UR.N) for the third time since 1990. This year the Silva Medal is based on points for participating and placing in the following events: Australian 3-Days (each day considered as a separate event); Australian and Oceania Sprint, Middle Distance, and Long Distance Championships; and State Championships associated with national carnivals. Each orienteer who completes 6 of the above events in M/W16 and above is eligible for the Silva Medal. Maximum points achievable are 24. There were eight orienteers who achieved 24 points and a count back system based on winning margins has been used to separate those on maximum points. In effect Maureen Ogilvie has performed relatively further ahead of the field in her age class than any of the others who gained the maximum points.
Name
Club
Points Av margin %
1 Maureen Ogilvie
UR.N
24
0.303
2 Jenny Bourne
EU.V
24
0.271
3 Geoff Lawford
EU.V
24
0.156
4 Alex Tarr
YV.V
24
0.144
5 Carolyn Jackson
MF.V
24
0.106
6 Jenny Hawkins
BS.A
24
0.072
7 Dale Ann Gordon
EU.V
24
0.052
8 Julian Dent
CC.N
24
0.041
EV.T
23
= 9 Nigel Davies = 9 Nicola Dalheim
MF.V
23
= 9 Martin Wehner
WE.A
23
= 9 Lachlan Dow
BS.A
23
=13 Clive Pope
UG.Q
22
=13 John Lyon
TT.S
22
15 Joshua Blatchford NC.N
21
=16 Scott Simson
TF.Q
20
=16 Grace Elson
AL.T
20
=16 Hanny Alston
AL.T
20
OA Statistician, Darryl Erbacher, interviews Silva Medal 2007 winner, Maureen Ogilvie.
M: It’s in my jeans.....I mean genes. I’m lucky that way. However, the old joints are starting to get a bit decrepit and are screaming for more TLC. I’ve been taking golf lessons recently (for the first time in my life) and am keeping that in mind for my “older” old age. But, hopefully, I’ll still be orienteering into my 80’s. This would be cool as the competition wouldn’t be so hot then.
Darryl: Congratulations, Maureen.
D: You have won in a wide variety of terrain this year. Are the techniques the same no matter what the type of terrain is?
Maureen: Ta D: This is your third time you’ve won the Silva Medal, Maureen. Ian Hassall has won ten times and the only other person to rival your efforts is Alex Tarr who is also on three. You must be pleased to be in such exalted company? M: Absolutely! I couldn’t think of two more admirable gentlemen to share this honour with. Watch out Alex! D: To what do you owe your success? Is it (husband) Dick’s coaching? M: Next question. No, seriously, the old rascal keeps me on my toes and is forever coming up with new challenges and setting future goals, sometimes quite daunting. D: How is the body standing up to all this competitiveness after years at the top? 12 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER MARCH 2008
M: Definitely not. The only thing that is always the same is concentration. Once that is lost, you’re gone. You must avoid noticing other competitors and just keep in constant contact with your map. It is absolutely vital to have a plan right from the start. This can be achieved whilst choosing the safest way to the first control. Then adapt that plan to the type of terrain using your skills with reading contours carefully, having definite attack points and notching up features on the way. This way you can be sure where you are on the map at all times. And if you don’t know where you are, relocation technique is the next important one. D: Anything else to add? M: Yes, most importantly of all - kiss your good luck charm before heading off to your start! D: Thanks for the good oil, Maureen, and congratulations once again.
