CLASSIC WEEKEND
Octavian Droobers Orienteers took part in the inaugural Salisbury City urban race on Saturday and in the New Forest November Classic event held at Round Hill on Sunday. Competitors enjoyed some fast runs around parts of the medieval city, surrounding parkland and into the finish control in front of historic Salisbury Cathedral, using the new specially drawn map by club member Mike Hampton.
Sophie Kirk W21 took 2nd place in the Womens Open competition taking 60.52mins and Anne Straube W35 was 6th 66.17mins on the 7.3k course visiting 33 controls. On the 7.9k course Robert Gardner M21 came in 6th in the Mens Open in 56.58mins. Club Chairman Liz Phillips W45 was placed 8th in the 6.5k Womens Veteran class taking 63.12mins and in the Mens Super Veteran competition Barry Elkington M55 was 7th on the 6.5k course. Our very young junior men, brothers Daniel and Freddie Walker, came 5th and 8th respectively on their 1.2k course.
With sightings of herds of Shetland ponies and stags at the start and heavy showers towards the end of the event the runnable forest at Round Hill in the New Forest produced more good results for the club. Coming in first on the W21 8.15k course was Sophie Kirk W21 taking 53.21mins only seconds ahead of Julie Emmerson W18 53.40mins. Anne Straube W35 also came in second on her 6.75k course taking 53.51mins as did Lesley Ross W45 taking 42.25mins on her 5.875k course. Liz Phillips W45 was placed 9th on the same course taking 53.08mins. Hilary Simpson W70 was 5th taking 1.03.43mins on the 4.15k course and Trevor Simpson M70 7th 50.18mins on the 4.675k course. Bruce Bryant M55 took first place on the Green 4.675k course taking 36.18mins and junior Daniel Walker was 6th on the White 1.975k course taking 24.41mins.
At Bowden Housteads Wood near Sheffield, Will Gardner M20 came 3rd in the Regional Middle Distance event, organised by South Yorkshire Orienteering Club, taking 30.44mins on the 5.2k Brown. Harrison McCartney M16 was placed 4th two places ahead of father Chris M40 taking 1.00.26mins on the long Brown 9k course with 27 controls at King’s Forest, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.
Octavian Droobers will be competing on Sunday in the West Midlands League Race at Oldacre, near Stafford, organised by Walton Chasers Orienteering club, hoping to extend their lead in the league.
Over 50 club juniors representing their school are going to the British Schools Orienteering Championships which are being held in on Sunday 17 November in Ilkeston, Derby. We wish them every success.
5th November 2013