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The 2021 Victorian Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships will be held in Victoria’s Central Goldfields region at Maryborough and Dunolly. There will be Sprint, Middle and Long distance championships contested over the weekend of 15 and 16 May 2021, which will also comprise the first round of the 2021 National MTBO Series.
The three event maps were first used for the 2019 Australian MTBO Championships. The Sprint and Middle Distance events are both within riding distance (<4 km) of central Maryborough. The Long Distance event is in Dunolly, just 24km to the north.
The events will be organised by Eureka, Bayside Kangaroos and Nillumbik Emus clubs. All events will use the new Sportident BS11 control units which have a range of 1.5 metres allowing contactless and fast non-stop punching at controls. All competitors must use SIAC sticks, which will be included with your entry if you don’t have your own.
These events will be subject to Victorian COVID-Safe restrictions that apply at the time. If any entrants are precluded from attending because of COVID restrictions, their entry fees will be refunded.
Check all of the details in the Championships Bulletin.
Entries are now open - head to Eventor now!
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All orienteers are invited to come to Tasmania, to compete in the Australian Orienteering Championships 2021. Entries are now open. In Tasmania we have been working hard to ensure that we will offer the very best maps and courses in our delightful and safe environment.
All the information you will need to make your arrangements to come to Tasmania for the championships is now available on the event website https://aoc2021.tasorienteering.asn.au/. The website and social media platforms will be updated regularly over coming weeks.
Tasmanians have been holidaying at home this year and accommodation and hire cars are almost fully booked for Easter and the current Tasmanian school holidays. A similar situation is almost certain to exist in the September school holidays. I urge you book your accommodation and car hire as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are offering good early bird entry fees until May 31 and standard entry fees will close on August 22. Check out our refunds policy to see how safe it is to enter now.
Currently there are half price airfares available to Tasmanian destinations and most accommodation and car hire providers also offer good refund policies, should anything happen that prevents you from coming to the championships.
Planning is well advanced for the competitions and we have been working closely with the Tasmanian Government to ensure that the event will be held in a safe way.
We are looking forward to seeing you all here in September.
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Choose sea over sky and sail to Tasmania for the Australian Orienteering Championships 2021.
Spirit of Tasmania is pleased to offer special discounted fares for you and your travel companions.
This is the perfect opportunity to plan a pre or post event road trip in the comfort of your own car. So drive on board and set sail for a stress-free journey.
One of the joys of travelling on board Spirit of Tasmania is that you can relax from the moment you come aboard. Enjoy a delicious range of Tasmanian-inspired marketplace favourites at the on board restaurant and a quiet drink at one of the three bars while you take in the stunning sea views. After dinner, watch a latest release movie at one of two cinemas before relaxing in the comfort your own cabin for a good night’s rest. When you arrive in Devonport, simply drive off and enjoy the scenic journey to Launceston for the start of the Australian Orienteering Championships.
Fares are easy to book via the dedicated booking portal, simply follow the book now link and select your travel dates. Space may be limited. Book early!
*You really do need to Book Now – your travel and accommodation! The ferry is the perfect option given difficulty in hire car rentals (everyone wants to be in St Helens right now! It’s hot!). Here are more travel logistics tips – to help with your planning. Early bird entries are open until 31 May.
Cheers, Warwick Moore, Director, AOC2021
PS If the ferry is not a realistic option for you, there is the possibility of a coach service (gauging interest). The coach would pick you up/ drop you back from Launceston airport and drive you to the events each day BUT you will need to stay for the full carnival and secure your own accommodation in the immediate St Helens are and have regard to other coach travellers re times. For each coach, the minimum number would be 40 and max 57. The cost will be at least $180. If you are seriously interested please Contact Us by 30 April 2021.
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OA is putting on a senior training camp preceding and including the Australian Junior Development Camp in July 2021. All senior elites and junior elites over the age of 18 are invited to join the tour which will focus on fun training and team building activities. This camp is not just targeted at those athletes aiming for WOC, rather for all those who enjoy competing at orienteering at a national level.
See Flyer 1 and Flyer 2.
More information soon to be released at the Eventor page: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/15736
Contact Brodie at coaching@orienteering.asn.au if you have any questions before then.
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In the middle-distance National Orienteering League races at Bunyip Reach, near Renmark in South Australia, Krystal Neumann was a comfortable winner in W21, establishing a big lead early after her nearest rivals lost time early, and going on to a four-minute lead. Grace Crane edged out Asha Steer for second, with Olivia Sprod just behind. It was a closer affair in the men’s race with four within two minutes of the lead, but Aston Key in M21 had his nose in front throughout and edged out Patrick Jaffe by 58 seconds, with Matt Doyle a single second further behind.
In the mass-start long distance race, at Crooked Straight near Renmark, Key ended up with a comfortable win, over three minutes clear of the rest of the field. Alastair George, having an impressive first senior year, challenged for a time, but Key had broken away by the one-hour mark and was not seriously pushed thereafter. The main excitement was in a three-way battle for second between George, Brodie Nankervis and Patrick Jaffe, eventually resolved over the last couple of controls with Nankervis edging away from George. In W21, Crane was also a comfortable winner in the end, with her most likely challenger, Krystal Neumann, falling out of contention after losing seven minutes at #17. Olivia Sprod always stayed within striking distance but never quite got to the front, with Crane a bit under two minutes clear at the finish, and Neumann recovering to take third.
The women’s result sets up a close race for the League individual title, with Sprod holding a narrow edge over Crane going into the final, while the Southern Arrows have the edge over Victoria in the team event, with the Canberra Cockatoos and Queensland Cyclones also still in contention. Key has a commanding lead in the men’s competition, as does Victoria in the team event.
In the junior division, Emily Sorensen, fresh from her Easter victory, impressed in W20 in the middle-distance race with a time which would have placed her second in the senior race, while David Stocks in M20 prevailed in a close race with Ryan Gray and Jensen Key in M20.
Stocks and Sorensen both backed up to end up in front in the long distance too. The result further consolidates Sorensen’s overall lead, as well as strengthening the Arrows’ team dominance and brings Stocks within a few points of current leader Ewan Shingler with the final to come at Broulee in three weeks.
Middle Distance Results and splits and Long Distance Results and splits are available here.
Photos and words edited from OA Facebook post.
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Orienteering Australia is pleased to announce the Australian honour team for JWOC 2021. This is the highest level of representation so it’s a very impressive achievement. Well done and congratulations to you all!
Junior Women: Mikayla Cooper, Abigail George, Joanna George, Arabella Phillips, Nea Shingler and Emily Sorensen
Junior Men: Dante Afnan, Jensen Key, Grant Reinbott, Blake Reinbott, Ewan Shingler and David Stocks
At the OA Board meeting on 30th of March, a decision was made that Australia would not be sending athletes to JWOC 2021 due to ongoing travel restrictions and the COVID-19 situation in Turkey. Whilst unfortunate, the likelihood of this decision and the reasons behind it were signalled in the selection criteria.
If JWOC 2021 is postponed to later in the year, OA may reconsider the decision depending on circumstances at the time.
A formal presentation of the JWOC 2021 honour team will take place during the Australian Championships 2021 Tasmania in September.
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Put the dates in your diary now for this sensational orienteering carnival .
The Easter 2022 Australian Orienteering Carnival will feature two iconic Queensland destinations:
- Australian 3 Days (15-18 Apr) - the granite, grass trees and fast terrain of the Kingaroy region
- Sprint NOL round & sand dune fun (21-24 Apr) - the complex sand dunes and campuses of the Gold Coast
Plan now for your Easter 2022 getaway!
Visit our web page at https://www.easter2022.com.au/
Follow the Facebook page for all the news https://www.facebook.com/easter2022
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The presentation of honours and awards were the final activities of the 2021 Australian 3-Days. Retiring President of Orienteering Australia, Blair Trewin announced the induction of the following people into the two categories of the Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame.
Membership of the Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame is the crowning achievement of a sporting career in orienteering in Australia and represents the highest level of peer recognition for an individual’s contribution to Australian orienteering. The Orienteering Australia Hall of Fame recognises and promotes the outstanding sporting achievements of our athletes and officials to acknowledge the rich sporting heritage of Australian orienteering. It is an illustrious group of Australia’s most respected and celebrated orienteers that span the test of time. They are the best of the best, who through their achievements have made a significant contribution to our sporting history and have inspired others to achieve their potential in both sport and life.
Athlete Division:
Christine Marshall (nee Watson)(OTAS): Christine made her first Australian WOC team in 1981 while still a junior and attended her first World Orienteering Championships in Thun, Switzerland. Over the next 10 years, Christine was a member of a further four WOC teams, including the team which competed in the 1985 World Championships at Mt Kooyoora in Victoria In 1991. She achieved her best place of 27th in the long-distance race, in (then) Czechoslovakia. When competing at the elite level in Australia, Christine was remarkably consistent with many top three finishes – winning W21E at both the Easter 3-days and Australian Championships in 1989. In addition to her achievements at the elite level, Christine has gone on to win or place in her age class in numerous national and Oceania championships – including a 3rd place in W55 at the 2021 Australian 3-days. Full the full nomination, please click here.
Warren Key (OVIC): Warren is a 2 time World Masters Champion, with 4 medals in total: 2009 World Masters - Champion Long Distance M50, 2009 World Masters - Champion Sprint Distance M50, 2008 World Masters - Bronze Long Distance M45 and 2005 World Masters - Bronze Long Distance M45. Warren has also represented Australia 11 times at Elite level at the World Orienteering Championships in: 1997 Norway (11th Relay, 37th Middle), 1995 Germany (13th Relay, 51st Long), 1993 USA (11th Relay, 45th Long), 1983 Hungary (Relay DSQ), 1981 Switzerland (23rd Long, 6th Relay) and 1979 Finland (8th Relay, 39th Long). Warren was also Australian Team WOC coach for almost 10 years. Full the full nomination, please click here.
General Division:
Dave Lotty (ONSW): Dave Lotty was the most influential person in the establishment orienteering in New South Wales commencing in late 1971. He helped form and was Secretary of Sydney’s first orienteering club, Bennelong Occasional Orienteers, and later formed Kareelah Orienteers and Uringa Orienteers as orienteering expanded in Sydney.
He helped to form the Orienteering Association of NSW in March 1972. As a professional draftsman, he prepared most of the early NSW orienteering maps, initially in black and white and later in colour, as well as field working many of these maps.
He was responsible for the concept of the Easter Three-days, organising the first of these events. At the national level, he was the longest serving officer for OFA/ Orienteering Australia. Dave was a member of the Australian team to the World Championships in Denmark in 1974 and has won several Australian Championships in his age class and numerous State Championships. Full the full nomination, please click here.
Jim Russell (OVIC): Jim has had an enormously successful coaching record, including as WOC team coach in 2017, 2018, team manager/assistant coach in 2019 and Women's team coach in 2004 and 2005. Jim was also JWOC coach from 1996-1999 and later was joint coach for JWOC 2007 in Dubbo. Among Jim's many other notable coaching contributions are his role as OA Head Coach from 2016-2020 and his work in developing and implementing the process for accreditation of orienteering coaches. Jim served on the VOA Board for many years, and as VOA Vice President from 1995 to 1998. Similarly Jim has consistently participated on the Bendigo Orienteers committee (including 3 years as president and currently serving as Vice-President). Jim has been involved in the running of countless events at national, state and local scale. In particular, he has become known for singlehandedly organising the annual Bendigo ToDay event at the start of each season, was Carnival Director for the Bushrangers 09 Australian Orienteering Champs and helped develop Space Racing. He has been a driving force behind the sport’s use of technology in Victoria and Australia, promoting the use of sportident and o-lynx touch. Full the full nomination, please click here.
Congratulations to these people for their services to orienteering in Australia.
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The presentation of honours and awards were the final activities of the 2021 Australian 3-Days.
Retiring President of Orienteering Australia, Blair Trewin, presented the Silva Awards for Services to Orienteering.
Michael Hubbert (OVIC), the longstanding editor of The Australian Orienteer: Mike Hubbert has made significant contributions to Australian orienteering at the national level. In early 1970, he was involved in establishing the Victorian Orienteering Association and the Orienteering Federation of Australia. In 1975 when he was elected Secretary of the Orienteering Federation of Australia, holding that position until 1981. During that period, he worked in starting work on the first OFA Development Plan. It was Mike’s initiative that started action on the bid to host the 1985 World Orienteering Championships in Australia - one of the most important events in the development of Australian orienteering. Mid-2004 Mike took over the role of Editor of the Australian Orienteer and maintained the high quality of the magazine in a role which has continued to the present time. Throughout Mike’s orienteering career, spanning more than 50 years, he has also been an important contributor at the state association and club level. He organised an evening event at Blackburn Lake in the east of Melbourne that was to set the pattern for Melbourne’s series of park/street orienteering events. He was also the cartographer for the first coloured map used for an Australian Championships in Victoria. Full the full nomination, please click here.
Rachel West (OWA): Silva Award for Services to Orienteering Coaching: Rachel is an elite orienteer in her own right, having represented the Nomads, Bushrangers and Australia (in W35 and W40) and in 2019 was the top-ranked female orienteer in her age class, yet she has given time and put considerable thought into providing quality coaching in WA since she became an accredited coach in 1994. Her efforts have been designed to improve skills in, and enjoyment of, orienteering for OWA members in general and our elite and junior athletes in particular. More recently she has developed and run courses for beginners as a way of introducing a wider range of people to our sport. Rachel has undoubtedly been the most active coach in WA in recent years and she is thoroughly deserving of the Silva Award for Services to Coaching. Full the full nomination, please click here.
Congratulations to Mike and Rachel for their services to orienteering in Australia.
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Orienteering Australia is seeking a new Executive Officer, following the retirement of Paul Prudhoe, who was in the position since 2017. The successful candidate will play a significant leadership role in OA’s developing organisation and will also lead the management of Orienteering Australia’s relationship with Sport Australia. Reporting to the Chair and the Board, the Executive Officer will work closely with the Chair, the remainder of the Board and OA’s member State Associations in leading the implementation of OA’s strategic and operational plans for the sport in Australia.
Some knowledge of orienteering would be an advantage, but candidates from outside the sport will also be considered.
A more detailed position description is available here. Enquiries about the position should be made to Andrew Lumsden .
Applications, including a CV and the details of two referees, should be sent to Orienteering Australia. Applications close on Friday, 7th May.
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The Silva Medal is awarded to the Australian orienteer who best performs relative to their class in specified events.
Points are awarded for Days 1, 2 and 3 of the Australian 3-Days, Championship, the Australian Long Distance Championships, the Australian Middle Distance Championships, the Australian Sprint Championships, any State Championship conducted at the 3-Days carnival and the Australian Championships Carnival and the Asia Pacific Orienteering Championships or Oceania Championships (when conducted in Australia) as follows: 1st – 4 points, 2nd – 3 points, 3rd – 2 points, for otherwise finishing 1 point.
The Silva Medal winner is the orienteer with the maximum number of points accumulated from their best six events. In the event of a tie, the Silva Medal will be determined by count back using the average of the six best winning margins.
In 2021 the relevant events will be:
3 April Day 1 3-Days Noah’s Ark Ridge
4 April Day 2 3-Days Gumble Pinnacles
5 April Day 3 3-Days Gumble Pinnacles
25 September Australian Sprint University of Tasmania, Launceston
26 September Australian Middle Hunt Mine Creek, Goshen
2 October Australian Long Bells March, St Helens
3 October Tasmanian Middle Rajah Rock, Avoca
As there 7 qualifying events in 2021 it is expected there will be more than one runner who will amass six wins. Winning margins will be crucial is determining the winner of the Silva Medal this year.
Progressive scores will be published at events if possible or in the evening of each event.
After 3 events, 6 runners have maximum points (12) and are well on their way to gaining maximum points (24) from 3 of the last 4 events.
Warren Key MF V M60A *
Marina Iskhakova RR A W40A
Jenny Hawkins BS A W75A
Greg Barbour BF N M55A
Grant Bluett AO A M45A
Chris Brown EV T W60A
6 runners have 11 points (2 wins and a second) and so can reach maximum points by winning all the last 4 events.
Sue Key MF V W65A
Steve Flick BN N M70A
Milla Key MF V W16A
Matt Doyle CC A M21E
Jennifer Enderby NC N W50A *
Gareth Candy AO A M40A
* Previous winner of the Silva Medal
Of course anyone with 2 wins can still reach maximum points no matter what their other result is.
Thanks to Darryl Erbacher (OA Statistician) for this article.
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The 2021 Annual General Meeting took place at Molong Central School Hall on Sunday 4th April 2021 at 3pm.
Draft Minutes are available here.
As noted in the draft minutes, under the new constitution, there are seven directors and the Board decides on which position each director will fill. Any Australian who is an International Orienteering Federation Council member has an ex officio position on the OA Board (Mike Dowling is currently IOF Vice President). The Board can also co-opt up to two directors. The constitution provides for 3-year terms for directors, with a third of directors coming up for election each year.
Bruce Bowen and Blair Trewin both reached the new 9-year constitutional limit on board terms, while Steve Craig withdrew his nomination for re-election.
OA received nominations prior to the meeting from five people: Jenny Casanova, Clare Hawthorne, Bill Jones, Andrew Lumsden and Craig Steffens. Richard Mountstephens was nominated from the floor.
As a transitional measure, the directors’ terms will have different expiry dates. These are:
2022 – Jenny Casanova, Bill Jones.
2023 – Craig Steffens, vacant.
2024 – Clare Hawthorne, Andrew Lumsden and Richard Mountstephens.
The delegates thanked the retiring directors and Executive Officer.
It should be noted that at the first meeting of the new Board, Clare Hawthorne stood down from the OA Board (due to her existing role on the Orienteering Tasmania board), while Richard Mounstephens took on the role of Director, Finance. A new Chair is still being sought.
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