Gene - ius (Waikawa Gene style)

Closing Time

I have always been someone to stay till the end of a party. Arguably this is to do with a lack of self-control, but I like to think there are also some positive virtues in there...still enjoying it and don't want it to stop, a fondness for those drunken conversations that can build real friendships... but anyway I have come to feel with this blog that the party has moved on, the bar is empty, I'm comatose in the toilet again and the bouncers are hammering on the door. I've got to get out.

The blog will stay up and who knows might be reincarnated again in the future (probably will be in fact judging by history). It has always been my goal to try and get a good number of regular contributors and comments, haven't quite managed it yet. I'm going to use this little chunk of time to contribute over at the new NZOF website and to do some more writing on my own blog, which has mainly been just family stuff over the last couple of years. Anyone who enjoys my writing is welcome to pop over there. I will definitely be writing more about orienteering.

Fusilier

I thought I would write something about Fusilier and chuck up a map, but why bother when someone else "Arapito" has already done a good job. Nothing like learning from someone elses experience. And below is an image stolen of the web of Tove Alexandersson to help with your recreation of the experience. It is always great when you get the opportunity to watch one of the worlds best at work.

We will know this map pretty well by the end of the weekend!

Ross Morrison qualifies for Sprint Final at EOC - And finishes 41st.

(Ross finished 41st check World of O for maps and results)

Amidst all the local excitement around Nationals we can't forget about our representative on the other side of the world competing against the best in the world. Ross Morrison put in a terrific effort to finish 12th in his sprint qualification yesterday and qualify for todays final. Because of an issue with a wrong control in the middle qualification he will, like all other competitors, get to run in the middle final as well following a contentious jury decision.

Ogdominator

Well Matt has got off to a good start in Sweden. Perhaps not the creme de la creme of Swedish elites, but when you beat 50 odd on your first outing you deserve a little bit of kudos.

Ohakea Sprint

Well start lists are up. 1 minute start intervals are risk encouraging. Take a risk early and you have your opponent in your sites. Get a good tow and gain a crucial 3-4 seconds per control for half a course and it could be a game changer for your result. I am stoked to have Jourdan (1min) and Duncan (2min) in front of me. Two reliable effective sprint orienteers definitely worth taking note of when you see them out there and not easily passed.

So what are the organisers saying:

The air base contains a diverse mix of urban forms including operational airfield facilities, office accommodation, warehousing, contractor yards, barrack accommodation, defence housing, formal gardens, recreational areas and several pockets of remnant native forest. There is no noticeable elevation difference across the competition area. There is a high degree of runnability within the air base, except in the forest areas. One building includes a raised running level accessed by external stairs. The following should be noted about the mapping of smaller features:

• Building alcoves with open access are included on the map with the canopy symbol (no. 526.2), except in the housing area.

• All fire stairs and ladders on 2-storey buildings have been ommitted for clarity.

• Gates have been mapped to highlight crossing points through high fences, however gates into housing sections have been mapped as fenced although some may be left open on the day. Paths and driveways have been mapped for the first 10m or so where they extend into housing sections to aid with route finding.

Worth reading I reckon. You've got to think there are going to be many unpassable fences out there and spotting the route choice and gaps will be decisive in the results. Likewise an athletes ability to switch from open visibility to forest remnants with potentially vague detail will be crucial. Those forest remains are not particularly small either...

So the aerial, courtesy of the new LINZ service..See that building with the circular fence  in midde top watch for that trap. And where is the building with the runnable level? 

Looks good aye? Can't wait for Friday, lots of good sleep between now and then.

One week til take off!

As we hit 7 days until the first start at NZ champs 2014, orienteers all around the country begin their pre-nationals taper (or training...), and begin their final mental preparation!
It's gonna be a good'un too, with a highly technical middle on Waikawa*, a test of speed and endurance in the long on Fusilier, and the weekend rounding out with clubs battling it out for eternal glory** ever hotly contested Relay on Monday.

More of an unknown is the sprint, to be held around Ohakea Air Base on Easter Friday. Bulletin 1 doesn't divulge many hints on the area, but it does have a fantastic promo shot! How did I miss this?!

Nick goes for mission impossible styles (or a belly flop?!) while Laura actually looks like she's abseiling. But local knowledge wins out, with Tessa seemingly having us all beaten!

If you haven't already, have a look at the little blurbs that the Wellington crowd have given for each race - a mixture of quality advice and quality trash talking ;)

See you in a week!

* I've got my game face on just looking at the map, thanks Jamie >:/
* *not an exaggeration.

Hoodoo Guru

I was chatting (the online type) to none other than Lizzie Ingham today. She is coming right from her injuries and organising some epic training this weekend for those in Canberra (we miss her in Wellington still). I couldn't help asking Lizzie about whether she felt ready to overcome her pervasive Nationals Hoodoo, including whether this would be the year she registered her maiden victory in the middle distance. I have seen Lizzie on the verge of a top ten in the World Champs for a middle distance but I have yet to seen her charge down a Nationals middle finish chute with her game face still intact.

Lizzie's answer was underwhelming "anything can happen on that map".  Harden up Lizzie Ingham. Get your processes right and make yourself hard to beat this year. The map doesn't look that bad...