7 minute read
O-SPY
O-SPY O-SPY
Thank you to Chris Spriggs
In Queensland Chris Spriggs has been coordinating Thursday events for about 18 years, and recently made the difficult decision to step back a bit. Mid Week Orienteering is very pleased to announce that James Mitchell has kindly agreed to take over as Mid Week Coordinator, as from now. Mid Week origins started with the Army and was later taken over by local orienteers. It is still much the same format … a good professional run in the bush or park in and around Brisbane. They always have three Hard courses and an Easy in school holidays and for sponsored events. They now use MapRun for some park events as well. MWO intend to continue with the Thursday format from March to November if they can, assuming they get sufficient volunteers. Many people have started organising Thursdays before moving on to club and higher events. Chris wishes to thank a lot of people who continue to play a big part in keeping MWO together: John Cooper and Matt Ross on the computer, Matt again running the Facebook page and helping to put events on the web, Nev for organizing the money side of things, Jim Bowling for always being there to help. There are many others, past and present, particularly all the people who volunteer during the year. The social side of Mid Week after a run is always enjoyable. Chris intends to continue attending events in this great sport as much as he can! OQ gives a huge thank you to Chris for the many years of dedication to Mid Week Orienteering. Without him, many people would not have been able to enjoy the camaraderie and regular exercise on Thursday mornings, that is MWO.
Finish Shute
An innovative use was found for some farm equipment at a MelBushO event on Wellington Chase, south‑east of Melbourne. With the route to the Finish leading up along a track through thick bush it was an ideal “climbing ramp” for young orienteers.
Finish shute – Photo Peter Yeates. Wellington Chase - Easy course.
Starpicker – Game Release
StarPicker, a video game inspired by Orienteering. Created by a confirmed forest runner who is also a veteran in the video game field, StarPicker is a new Orienteering video game now available for PC, Mac and Linux. Thanks to his experience the developer managed to create a dynamic game which will know how to seduce the largest number. Indeed, the idea of this project, started in 2015, is to create an experience which can initiate young people to Orienteering while focusing on the different feelings of excitement so the regular runner can find a footing and challenge. Unlike a simulation game, StarPicker takes some liberties to offer a more fun and accessible experience of Orienteering. The game has its own legend of maps and original ways to play inspired from Rogaine races or training exercises, for example. The story leads the players in 5 different fantastic environments each with their own specificities, and through more than 60 maps with progressive difficulty. New maps will be added regularly and for free afterward. StarPicker is available on the Steam game platform at this address: http://bit.ly/starpickersteam
Orienteering in an IKEA store?
Better orienteering indoors in southern China’s summer heat? IKEA stores are huge ‑ so huge, that you can really hold Orienteering there! The indoor race took place on two days in August. Foshan is a city in the south of China, not far from Hong Kong. In August, the subtropical climate means it’s pretty hot at around 25‑30 degrees Celsius. Indoor orienteering meant runners could avail of the air conditioning indoors. Prizes were sponsored by the Foshan IKEA store. Not the first time with IKEA orienteering? Apparently this is not the first time an indoor Orienteering race has been conducted inside an IKEA store. Klagenfurt, Austria has had an annual IKEA competition from 2013 to at least 2016, although it appears to be a mixed indoor‑outdoor race.
An IKEA store in Shenzhen, China. Nearby Foshan organised an indoor Orienteering race in August.
Ash Barty wins 2021 Wimbledon
When Bega Cheese, makers of that much‑loved breakfast spread Vegemite, first took on sponsorship of Ash Barty, they distributed a limited edition of the spread re‑named “Bartymite”. And now she is not only World No 1 female tennis player but also Wimbledon Champion. Must be something good in the formula.
Bolts from the Blue
Last year we reported on the birth of a baby daughter to Usain Bolt and his partner Kasi Bennett. The infant’s name was Olympia Lightning Bolt. The couple have recently announced the birth of twin boys, named Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt (Saint Leo being Usain’s middle name).
OLYMPIC GAMES
Having just watched the Olympics and the new TV-friendly sports that have been introduced I can’t help thinking that there was never ever any chance of Orienteering being accepted into the Summer Olympics program. What was the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) thinking? And how much money did they waste over several decades on that futile exercise? Money which could have been far better spent on developing junior participation around the world.
Michael Hubbert
Jukola Relays map - 1949
The first Jukola Relays, held in 1949, used a map with a scale of 1:30,000 !!
China ultramarathon: Severe weather kills 21 runners
Twenty‑one runners died after extreme weather struck a long‑distance race in north‑western China in late May. High winds and freezing rain hit participants in the 100km ultramarathon in the Yellow River Stone Forest, a tourist site in Gansu province. The race was halted when some of the 172 runners went missing, and a rescue operation was launched. Many of the stranded runners reportedly suffered from hypothermia. Liang Jing, an ultramarathon champion, and Huang Guanjun, who won the men’s hearing‑impaired marathon at China’s 2019 National Paralympic Games, were among the victims, state‑run media reported. Officials said 151 runners were now confirmed safe, and that eight of them were injured. The race began at 09:00 local time with some of the competitors setting off wearing just shorts and T‑shirts. Surviving participants said the forecast had shown some wind and rain was anticipated, but nothing as extreme as what they experienced. About three hours after the start, a mountainous section of the race was hit by hail, heavy rain and gales, which caused temperatures to plummet. One runner, Mao Shuzhi, said she turned around when the weather changed. “The rain was getting heavier and heavier,” said Ms Mao, who was about 24km into the race at the time and had not yet reached the mountains. She decided to head back to her hotel, having had previous bad experiences with hypothermia, but others carried on or were already in worst‑hit areas. Many runners reportedly lost their way on the route as the weather affected visibility. More than 1,200 rescuers were deployed, assisted by thermal‑ imaging drones and radar detectors, according to state media.
Xmas 5 Days
This great competition which is held over 5 days and on a variety of terrains, will be held in the NSW Southern Highlands. The courses are set and maps ready so we look forward to seeing all our friends (from a COVID Distance). Entries are open for you to view the Information sheet and maps. So start planning your break away. The Southern Highlands offers some lovely things to do after you have run. This event was rescheduled from 2020 and while we are still having issues with LGA COVID lockdowns (at close of publication), we are hopeful to have the freedom to hold each of these events and that all of you are able to attend. We will be doing everything possible to hold the 5 events and we emphasise that you must abide by the rules of the day. Important to all stay safe! If you have any questions you can phone the events Co‑ordinator, Colin Price 0415210339 or email: colinp53@yahoo.com.au
HANDYMAN
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MAKERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS ARMY KNIFE | ESTABLISHED 1884
VICTORINOX AWARD
This issue’s Victorinox Award goes to David Hogg in commemoration of his 50 years of Orienteering organization in ACT.. David will receive a Victorinox Handyman which includes 24 tools and features – retail value $139.
