OCTAVIAN DROOBERS TAKE THE TITLE

Octavian Droobers have won the 2021 West Midlands League. The deciding event was the popular Brandon Wood, near Coventry, where club members excelled and finished with 5252 points ahead of Wrekin Orienteers 4722 and Harlequins Orienteering Club 4712.

Taking the best scores in age classes from 4 of the 7 league events, the 25 club members who achieved these winning points were: Max Straube-Roth M12, Rupert Powell M14, Mykyta Chubynsky M45 Alistair Powell M40, Chris McCartney M50, David Leadley M55, Liz Phillips W55, Anne Straube W45, Peter Carey M75, Trevor Simpson M80, Sheila Carey W75, Hilary Simpson W80, Karin Kirk W70, Stan Alexander M65 and John Middler M65.

At Brandon Wood the top 10 places earned by club orienteers on each of the courses were: Alistair Landels M50 1^st in 54.47mins, 2^nd Robert Gardner M21 56.53mins, 3^rd Alistair Powell M40 58.44mins, 9^th Philip Ainsley M21 74.39mins and 10^th Mark Rookledge M55 80.30mins all running on the longest Brown 8.8km course.

On the Blue 7.3km course, Chris McCartney M50 was 4^th in 56.04mins, 6^th Tom Jeffries M50 60.43mins, 8^th David Lawson M55 61.57mins, 9^th Harriet Lawson W21 63.21mins and 10th David Leadley M55 63.41mins. Liz Phillips W55 was 6^th in 47.29mins and Stan Alexander M65 7^th 48.28mins on the Green 4.6km Course. Peter Carey M75 won the Short Green course in 36.41mins, Mike Hampton M75 was 2^nd in 37.11mins, 5^th Sheila Carey W75 42.27mins and 8^th Margaret Willdig W65 44.49mins.

Rupert Powell M14 won the Light Green 3.1km course taking 51.51mins, 2^nd Ashley Knott M21 55.18mins and 3^rd Erin Weatherstone W21. Nicola Gilder W40 was 4^th on the Orange 2.9km course 39.45mins, Lesley Allen W60 8^th 59.23mins and 10^th Molly McAisnh W18 74.58mins.  Max Straube-Roth M12 won the Yellow 2.6km course in 17.26mins and Adam Landels M12 was 2nd in 27.33mins. New junior Jessica Gilder completed the 1.6km White course in 43.45mins and is now on her way to earning her White badge.

The club welcomed 26 primary school children who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. For many it was their first time competing at an event.

For details of how to take part in this fun outdoor active sport see website, www.octavian-droobers.org, email information@octavian-droobers.org or contact Karin Kirk 01926 632189.

NEW BRITISH NIGHT ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONS

Braving some extreme conditions, with strong cold winds high up on Cleeve Hill in Gloucestershire, several Octavian Droobers competed for the prestigious title of British Night Orienteering Champion. Congratulations to the new Champions - Philip, Anne and Sheila.  

Armed with a head torch, map, timer and a cagoule, Philip Vokes was first on the M21 11.2km course with a massive 430 metres of climb taking 62.57mins to win the M21 title, 36 seconds ahead of Joe Woodley from AIRE Orienteering. Anne Straube was 1^st on the 6.3km course with 220 metres of climb in 61 mins to take the W40 trophy. Sheila Carey won the W75 title in 63.27mins on her 3.1km age class course.

Liz Phillips was placed 2^nd on the W55 Long 4.6km course taking 63.11mins, Bruce Bryant was 4^th on the M65 Long 4.9km course in 55.08mins and Peter Carey 5^th on the M75 3.9km course in 88.38mins.

For details of how to take part in this fun outdoor active sport see website, www.octavian-droobers.org, email information@octavian-droobers.org or contact Karin Kirk 01926 632189.