Orienteering returned to Kooyoora State Park on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend for 3 days of technically demanding orienteering.

Aislinn Prendergast won
her first Winter Classic

The weekend started with good weather and Jim Russell’s high class course setting on Kooyoora Spur.  Blair Trewin (YV) led the way in M21 with a technically clean run to win by 31 seconds from Bruce Arthur (MFR), and Simon Goddard (YV).  JWOC team member, Aislinn Predergast (EU) won W21 by 2 minutes from Clare Brownridge (BG).

A stronger field started the day 2 Badge event with new WOC runner Jasmine Neve (MFR) and South Australia’s Ben Rattray winning the day.  However in the 2 day Winter Classic competition, Prendergast and Arthur came through to win the prestigious Bayside Kangaroos Winter Classic Trophy. Bruce is now closing in on Blair Trewin’s record number of men’s wins whilst Aislinn was a first time winner.

There was a good turn out on day 3 of the winter classic at Melville Caves, despite the wet and cold conditions. Simon Goddard’s innovative handicap course setting saw all grades and abilities of orienteers coming across the line together, after the quickest runners on the first short loop were sent out on longer second courses. It was a very efficient, successful and fun event. Kathryn Tarr (YV) won the queen of the mountain prize, Torgeir Watne (MFR) won king of the mountain after successfully foxing out the others in his bunch and Rob Fell (NE) took out the best dressed Captain Melville prize.

Day 1 – Results, Splits, RouteGadget*
Day 2 – Results, Splits, RouteGadget*
Day 3 – RouteGadget*

*website no longer available