State Leagues 3 & 4 – Southern Highlands.

Saturday ( saturated day)- Tree Cave Track

 If you were game to look at BOM on Friday night you knew what was coming on Saturday. And yes it did come rain and a considerable amount. When you drove in to Belanglo State Forest the gutters beside the road were rather full of water, a testament to the overnight rain. The main road was quite firm but when we headed into the pine forest the road conditions changed considerable with many “soupy” sections. Fortunately, the car park whilst just open grave / dirt was firm. The courses set by Ken Mills were enjoyed by many and it was great to get a chance to run in a couple of the mature pine compartments. It is great fun running down between the rows of trees. Mind you the rock areas were slippery for those who chose “racing slicks” rather than mud tyres! 

Uringa notched up a few great results. In 1st place was Jim Mackay M60A, Maggie Mackay W16A (happy, happy car) Dave Lotty M65AS. Ian McKenzie was a strong 2nd place in M35A. Gayle Shepherd W55AS and Michael Warlters M55A were our other podium takers in 3rd.

Maggie's W16A Course

 

Jim's M60A Course

Dave's M65AS Course

It is days like this you have to feel for the organisers as they have been up and out in the weather well before first starts and then back out to collect controls. 

The IK team during post event pack up - wet and cold

Just who loves packing wet gear…. Perhaps the most exciting part of the day was the drive out to the main road. The small “soupy sections had somewhat grown and there were a few cars fishtailing through. 

"Soupy" road conditions

Wet feet - no worries

Car park

There was a very well organised and well attended fund raising Trivia night held at Burradoo on Saturday night. Not quite sure who won but I did hear a comment that suggested a team of our finest junior boy orienteers were not in the hunt. 

Heavy overnight rain was not welcomed by those who were camping. Drip, Drip, drip was how one brave soul described the rain on and then through the tent roof…

Sunday Soapy Flat 

Soapy Flat, just west of Mittagong, map is an extension of the old Echidna Flat map from way back when.( I think Uringa ran a state championship there back in the late 80s.

It was very different to the Saturday map with very little rock detail for most competitors, lots of minor tracks that led here there and everywhere. The assembly area was in the grounds of Camp Wonbaroo, an adventure camp utilised by school groups. Lots of activities here! However, the best loved facilities were flushing toilets and grass covered parking area.

There were a few more Uringans on deck including Frances back for more bush experience and our southern sun - Canberra based elite Kelvin. With a few more bodies came a few more major placings.

Maggie W16A was once again ahead of the pack. Gayle cleared out to be first in W55As and Dave Lotty had an enjoyable win in Open Easy Course. Jim Mackay backed up his 1^st place on Saturday with a second today. Linda Sesta W55A and Jono Nolan M16A travelled down for the day to run second in their classes. Ant M50A, Jane W Open B and Michael M55A all took out 3^rd placings.

Must mention the 5^th place getters Ian in M45A, Frances in  W open B and Kelvin M20A.

Jono's M16A Course

Maggie's W16A Course

Gayle's W55AS course

W open B Course. Not real sure about leg 4-5-6

State League Events Point Score

After 4 rounds of the State League there are a number of Uringans in the top 3

In 1st place-  Maggie W16A, Linda W55A, Dave M65AS, Curtis M21AS, Jim M60A

In 2nd place -Jane W Open B, Jono M16A, Michael M55A

In 3rd Place-   Frances W Open B, Gayle W55AS, Ian M35A, Ant M50A

Not a bad effort indeed.

You can keep in touch with the point score- Season Standings: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Standings/View/Series/208

There is a total of 15 events in the State League series.  With two more events on the 20/21^st May just west of Bathurst /Orange.

Advanced information for both events is now available:

https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Documents/Event/16025/1/Preliminary-event-information-Kahli's-Rocks-SL5-20-May-2023

and

https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Documents/Event/16002/2/Information-flyer

 

Next up will be the 3 events over the KBIII long weekend.  (Formerly known as the Queen’s birthday 3 days). These events will be held around Newcastle and promises to be a great deal of fun. You can read all about it: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Documents/Event/15907/3/Information-flyer