Glorious midwinter conditions welcomed orienteers to Mt Korong for the second event in the Bendigo Rocks series. Competitors were rewarded for their trip out to Korong with excellent run-ability through the spectacular rocky landscape, and technical courses crafted by course setter Richard Goonan to test a variety of navigation skills. Appearances can be deceptive, despite the small size of the map, courses offered good length, direction changes, route choice, a variety of leg lengths, and a full swag of controls to find.
Mapping of granite terrains often stimulates vigorous discussion about control placement and map interpretation and Mt Korong didn’t disappoint! As competitors finished their courses the enjoyment of their run was heightened by recounting the day’s experiences out on course among the friendly atmosphere and warm afternoon sunshine.
Orienteers were also treated to a special environmental interpretation table prepared by event organiser Ben Goonan, the ecological significance of the landscape was highlighted, and in particular the sensitive moss matts that are endemic to granite landscapes were noted, including the need to avoid disturbing these areas. Rock pools are also found in the area and were identified for their special aquatic life and indigenous heritage.
Out on course five, youngsters had all the running with Melbourne based junior Torren Arthur (MFRV) coming in ahead of local club members Charlotte Wigney (BGV), and brother Thomas Wigney (BGV), with a relative new comer to Australian orienteering Magnus Fossum (BKV) also completing the course. Course four again saw the younger runners doing well with Mason Arthur (MFRV) wining from local club juniors Jack Wigney (BGV) and Karrina Cherry (BGV). Our apologies to course four competitors for an unfortunate mix up on their first control.
On the hard short course three (3.2km), Bendigo Orienteering club members held out against a strong field of regional orienteers with young Jimmy Cameron again showing talent to win ahead of Daryl Fleay and Charles Brownridge. The challenging navigation required concentration and technique ahead of running speed but the younger legs still won the day. Other standout performances included local juniors Ruben and Henry Cameron and Zac McDonald who also completed a harder than usual course three in unfamiliar terrain.
The hard medium distance course two (5.3km), provided some strong competition between placegetters with local club members again doing well. Louis Cameron held on to win over Nigel McGuckian and John Wilkinson, with Andrew Cameron finishing ahead of Rock Prendergast (EUV). Young competitors Tavish Eenjes (BGV), Evan Fossum (BKV), Michael Loughnan (BGV), and Lisha Maggs (BGV) also showed excellent results to complete the difficult course and claim some good leg split times from the top placegetters.
Course one provided competitors a relatively long (9.4km) and technically challenging course with strong competition between placegetters. Laurina Newman (BGV) was the top women’s placegetter ahead of Clare Brownride (BGV) and Jenny Casonova (Sth Aus), with all showing consistent form across the difficult course. After a careful start, consistency also rewarded Norwegian orienteer Jim Nybraten (IL Tyrving) coming in first ahead of good runs by local Bryan Keely (BGV) and experienced regional orienteer Bruce Arthur (MFRV). Local club member Craig Feuerherdt also ran consistently throughout the course to be just off the main pace. The weekend’s event provided course one runner’s preparation for the upcoming Victorian championship and Ultralong National Orienteering League event at nearby Mount Kooyoora.
Thank you to all competitors for their attendance. Results and splits are on our Results page
Richard Goonan
