Oceania Odyssey part 2- Wagga Wagga

Alex Davey - course planner for Aussie relays hard at it

The caterers brought their own tractor to negotiate the track in

One needs to look one's best when running for NSW

Anita and Lorna

Schoolies Week- invasion begins

Georgia interviewed after her great run

The Odyssey moved on to Wagga well Tumbarumba well half way between - Murragoldrie state forest.

The weather had cleared and we were blessed with 4 days of fine weather- and warmth and sunshine and no rain!

Over the next two days there were 4 events- 2 for the Australian Schools Championships and 2 for the punting public.

Uringa had two representatives in the schools Georgia and Lawrence Jones. Both were competing for the first time and both in Junior division. The Aussie schools champs is hot competition and especially in the Junior Boys / Senior Boys this year.

Georgia had two really solid runs finishing 9th and Lawrence put together a really strong run to record 10th, The following day they backed up for the school relays and both Georgia and Lawrence's teams finished 4th. For both of these up and coming juniors it was the first year in their respective divisions and I am looking forward to the 2012 Schools Events - Tasmania I think.

Meanwhile back at the maps the orienteering public had two races. On Tuesday it was the "Burngoogee Bash" with participants running on the same courses as the schools. It was interesting to see that most winning times were in fact those of the school runners.

Results:

Easy- Sophie Jones 7th

Easy Jared McKenna 9th

H1 Ian Jones 21st

H1 Ian McKenzie 51st

H2 Jane McKenna 30th
H2 Dick Ogilvie 32nd

M2 Maggie Jones 1st- (did she beat Georgia's time? Yes but only by a handful of minutes!)

M2 Maureen Ogilvie 17th

The next day it was the Australian Relay Championships. This was the first time and probably the last time that these champs will be held mid week. The turn out was small ( I didn't mind as I handled the entries and ran the finish) but I feel it was a poor result for the planners who put so much work into the day.

That said the relays were fast and furious and fun. the spectator arena was well planned and gave everyone a few good viewing points of competitors on their courses.

Results ( teams with these people in)

M/W12A- Sophie Jones 3rd

W16 Georgia Jones 5th

M16 Lawrence Jones 5th

M45A Ian Jones 5th

M65A Dick Ogilvie 1st

W21AS Maggie Jones 1st

W21AS Jane McKenna 2nd

W65A Maureen Ogilvie 1st

Uringa had a fair hand in these events as Dave Lotty was the controller for the relay events and Gayle and I were joined by Gary and Sandra Stewart were in the thick of things in the finish tent.

Well Wagga done and dusted and so it was a very quiet Thursday and a beautiful drive over the mountains to Cooma ready for part 3!