The 2006 Bendigo Ironman championships were run on “New Saint Mungo”, the sprint map used recently for the 2006 easter Prologue. The field was largely made up of elite orienteers, who had recently returned from Europe.

Favourite for the 4 x 2km handicap race was Troy De Haas, running his first race in Victoria in 6 years. After finishing first and second in the opening two races, it seemed unlikely that anyone would be able to shake him over the second half of the event. Adrian Jackson looked a chance with a second and a third, but but lost it with a blowout in the third race (15th position).

The field opened up with De Haas dropping a place in the final two loops (a 13th and a 7th place, allowing JWOC team member Evan Barr to take a tight lead after a series of consistent placings throughout the race (7th, 3rd, 1st, 4th).

Bendigo veteran Jim Russell followed up his overseas form with a solid third placing; knocking Jackson off the podium. Russell’s promising nephews, Bryan and Leon Keely, finished in 5th and 6th place, closely followed by Paul Liggins and  Bruce Arthur.

Further results and a detailed analysis can be found at: http://www.bendigo-orienteers.com.au

Rob Fell