Unfortunately today’s event at Gunnamatta Bay has been cancelled due to the forecast extreme weather conditions. Hopefully we can re-schedule this event later in the year.
Keep safe and dry everyone.
South Coast Schools Championships 2016
There was high praise for our South Coast schools champs at Albion Park on Wednesday. As usual Kevin Curby and his team of helpers ensured a wonderful day out for the 64 students at Croom Regional Sporting Complex.
“Thanks Kevin to you and your volunteers for organising an amazing experience for our students,” wrote the Nowra Public School sports co-ordinator.
“Several kids plan to attend the state championships, and orienteering was the talk of the school today, even prompting some of our reluctant writers to report on the day for our newsletter! We certainly would like to attend next year.”
Likewise at Jerrabombera Public School. “I was singing your praises about our day to everyone today,” wrote their teacher.
“It was wonderful. You also have a great bunch of helpers who really understand that they are dealing with children who have very little knowledge of orienteering”.
Congratulations Kevin for another great event. Although we were initially disappointed at the small number of schools involved it seems from the feedback that the day truly was worthwhile and enjoyed by all.
Welcome to new and returning members
A warm welcome to the newest member of our club, Melinda Wiecek from Warilla. Melinda took up the offer of a complimentary membership to IKO after being the highest scoring non-club member in the recent Summergong series.
This year also see the return of the Scobie family from Helensburgh – Kim, Jeff, Daniel and Eva – who were previous members of the club.
Hope to see our new members at an event soon.
Back in the bush
Jeff explains his winning strategy to Ian and Keith
With the end of the Summergong series, orienteering has moved back into the bush.
Congratulations to Salme for 1st place in W45AS at the tough State League 1 event held at Wattle Ridge, Hill Top on 19 March. Peter and Julie both achieved 2nd places.
A number of club members backed up for Metroleague 1 at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens on Sunday 20 March. It was fast and hilly. The combined IKO-SHOO teams had success in Division 2 and 3, but lost the double headers in Division 4 and 5. The combination with SHOO allowed a spread of club members through the 4 Divisions.
15 members competed in the Easter 3-day carnival at Canberra. Congratulations to Jeff for 1st place in M65AS and Simon 2nd place in M21A. The rest of us lacked consistency and had good and bad days. The terrain was hilly and the navigating sometimes tricky amongst the boulders (Day 1) and the erosion gullies (Day 2). It was good to watch elite competition, and marvel at how fast they are. On Day 3 the distant views across the paddock kept spectators entertained watching competitors make their way out of the forest and up to the final control.
Good luck to the members heading to Snow Hills this weekend for State League 2 & 3. Send us your report.
Following are some photos from the Easter Carnival. Were you spotted by the IKO photographer?
David
SummerGong 2016 concludes
Series winner Angus Sheddon with sons Rory and Ewan
SummerGong 4 was run in perfect weather yesterday morning. The first challenge was finding a parking spot at Flagstaff Hill, Wollongong, with space in demand from Nippers, surfers and the breakfast crowd. Angus Shedden (SHOO) had his third win of the series, collecting all 30 controls but was 12 seconds late back, so finished with 590 points. Second was Darren Harrow (IKO) on 520 points and Rohan Taylor on 500 points.
Congratulations to Angus Shedden (SHOO) who won the overall series with an almost perfect score of 397 points (three wins and a second place). Second place went to Alexander Karavaev (IKO) with 265 points and third place to Linda Sesta (Uringa) with 244 points.
IKO members filled seven of the top ten spots. The highest placed non-member was Melinda Wiecek who competed at three events and scored 176 points. Melinda will be offered a 1 year membership reimbursement if she joins IKO.
On the short course Cooper Anderson made it around the 10 controls in a winning time of 19:00 minutes (no doubt due to the expert coaching of “Poppy Keith”). Both of Keith’s grandchildren Cooper and Flynn completed all four of the short courses during the series with Cooper being the series winner. Well done Cooper.
Rory Sheddon came second over the short course series after competing in three of the four events, while IKO junior Ruby Harrow narrowly beat her brother Bailey to third place for the series. Congratulations to all of the children who participated in the short course events, hopefully we have helped to inspire a few more junior O-champs.
The day’s results can be accessed here and the cumulative results can be found here Summergong 2016 Final Scores
The series point scores for the short course is here Summergong 2016 Short course.
Finally, a big thanks to all the IKO members who helped out course setting, organising, coaching and helping at the assembly areas. As usual, great team work was displayed by all.