As the orienteering season concludes, the National Elite Ranking lists are almost finalised for 2005. Only minor changes are expected between now and December 31 when the 2005 list becomes official, as there may still be some World Ranking Events and expiration of late 2004 events.

Hanny Allston (TAS) is a clear leader in W21E with 6408 points (best 5 races over 12 months). Her World Championship Long Distance scores of 1398 (final) and 1316 (qualification) were the best scores since Nicki Taws’ world cup medal in 2000 at Honeysuckle Creek. Fellow WOC Relay team members, Jo Allison (ACT)(6079) and Tracy Bluett (NSW)(5741) complete the placings.

With another consistent year Grant Bluett (ACT) is ranked number one in M21E (6380). David Brickhill-Jones (TAS) shot up to number 2 at the last minute with solid World Cup results in Italy, while Troy de Haas (VIC) moved down to number 3.David Shepherd’s 1385 points at Australian Middle Distance Champs, de Haas’ 1376 points at the WOC Sprint Final and Brickhill-Jones’ 1372 at the World Cup #3 Sprint all scored higher than Bluett’s best (1341 at World Games), but none could produce as many high quality results as him to take the overall top ranking.

Julian Dent (NSW) clearly leads M20 from David Meyer (NSW) and Chris Naunton (VIC).

Simon Uppill (SA) leads Louis Elson (TAS) and Rhys Challen (WA) in M18.

Still a junior, Allston also leads W20, ahead of Jasmine Neve (VIC) and Erin Post (WA).

Vanessa Round (SA), Heather Harding (ACT) and Rebecca Hembrow (SA) lead W18.