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By Sam Massey , 20 August, 2009

Planners / Organisers Comments

 We finally made it – after last minute problems with maps, OCAD formats and stroppy officials.

There were over 50 individuals and teams from 11 different ‘O’ clubs, including 14 non-affiliated or ‘rediscovering’ Orienteers. The event was designed primarily for new and improving competitors, and the constraints of such a small area and a large scale map limited the technical difficulty of the courses.

The score event course was only an afterthought for the experienced orienteers who may have needed more than a light green.

However, if you thought that you had turned into the Usain Bolts of Orienteering with your times it is because I had calculated the course distances on a setting of 1;10000, and of course, (or Off course in my case) the map was 1;5000. So distances were only half what you thought you had run. Doh!

The important thing is that everyone appeared to have Fun. There were lots of nice comments afterwards with many newcomers even having a go at a harder second course.

I hope I read everyone’s names and details correctly for the results – if not 1000 apologies – and the results are by start time rather than by finishing time as everyone (I’m sure) did their very best.

Thanks to those who helped, or offered but were not needed this time!

See you all again soon, Kieran Devine (and Jillian and Clare). 

Results in XLS format viewer below (Free viewer available here: http://tinyurl.com/ExcelViewer)

 

Attachment Size
sd_results.xls 59.5 KB
Event
Shawford Down Local Event
By Sam Massey , 17 August, 2009

Only a small number of SOC members attended the Scottish 6-Day International Orienteering Event based around Tayside (incorporating Fife, Angus and Perth & Kinross). Perhaps the spread of the events over a large area and the recent trek northwards for the JK may have been factors. Those that did go will remember it with great fondness, for as a 6-day first-timer, it was a truly memorable event.

[img_assist|nid=241|title=Tentsmuir Forest|desc=|link=node|align=center|width=481|height=353]

There were so many highlights: the amazing weather (only one day of rain, and that was perhaps expected near one of Scotlands highest Munroes), the variety of Orienteering terrain (Coastal/Mediterranean forest at Tentsmuir, Perfect coastal dunes at Barry Buddon to Exposed hillside at Tullochroisk), the organisation (daily newsletters, car parking for 3500 people, huge number of friendly volunteers), assembly locations, and excellent competition across all age classes.

If I wanted to be really picky, I could say the last day (even given the good weather during most of the week) was a bit of a heathery bog for the first 1/2 of most courses and was a test for all - those that secured podium places with good finishes on that last day truly deserve it.

SOC Finishes: Robert Jackson 18th M75L, Ray Massey 51th M65L, Sam Massey 10th M35L, Simon Bevan 14th M40S, Paul Whipple 14th M16B, Matthew Whipple 7th M20L, Simon Whipple 41st M55S, Gill Tomlinson 41st W60L, Jean Velecky fell unwell during her 1st run - I hope shes now fully recovered.

The 6-days in 2011 is to be held around the town of Oban on the West coast. The events are much more localised, and you can be dragged by the kids to see Balamory (Tobermory on Isle of Mull) on the rest day.

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By Sam Massey , 9 August, 2009

With many thanks to Kieran Devine stepping up to organise the event at short notice, the Shawford Down local event on Saturday August 15th goes ahead. See http://www.southampton-orienteers.org.uk/event/2009/08/15/shawford-down-local-event for more details.

Enjoy the views over the Itchen Valley, followed by a walk along the River, or perhaps a Beer in the local pub.

Any volunteers to help ably accepted, please contact Kieran. Details on the event page.

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