JWOC 2007 Relays

A marked change in temperature today for the JWOC 2007 relays. The sun disappeared into the fog on the drive out from Dubbo and it was bone chilling at the event centre. The resolve of the kiwi supporters to wear black was tested as more layers of clothing were donned. The mens teams were started first and Thomas was clearly determined to make up for yesterday, staying with the leaders through both spectator controls and flying into the finish to bring the NZ mens #1 team into a very strong position at the first switch.

Lizzie Lingham went out first and had the fastest time of the NZ women also seeing the #1 team well placed at the end of leg one. Again the courses had been set to maximize spectator participation with long runs in and out of the two spectator controls. The long finish chute would prove to be the site of several telling spring finishes with the gold medal changing hands in the womens’ race within the final few hundred metres.

Overall the mens #1 team finished a very creditable 18th, one place ahead of the Australian men while our womens #1 team placed 14th. The depth of the European teams was shown by the fact that both Norway & Sweden had two women’s teams in the first 10 finishers while for the men, the Czech, Norwegian & Swedish teams achieved that honour. In the face of that sort of competition we should feel extremely proud of what the 2007 kiwi JWOC team achieved.

JWOC 2007 Middle finals

The middle distance finals for JWOC 2007 are complete with more great results on the board for NZ. Tineke achieving another kiwi “top 20” result in the womens A-final was exciting for the NZ supporters not to overlook Lizzie and Kate M's very creditable times. While the Europeans continue to dominate the podium it is satisfying to see our team prominent in the middle order. The standout results today were in the women's B-final. Greta stormed in a minute ahead of everyone else in the field but unfortunately her “mispunch” in the qualification event meant her time was unofficial. Similarly strong performances from Kate Rea and Nicola Peat placed them officially first and second in the B-final!!
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It was so pleasing for the vocal kiwi contingent to see those two names remain at the top of the results board from the time they were posted – contrary to the normal pattern of seeing the NZ names progressively drop down as more highly favoured runners come in.
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Courses were again set to provide great viewing for supporters with another spectator control and a long finish chute from the final control. This combined with the “Voice of the Forest” team commentary (even with their slightly inflated crowd estimates) shows orienteering can be made interesting for spectators. It must have been heart breaking for the Aussies to have to watch one of their men disqualify himself by climbing away from the first spectator control without running the compulsory chute through the viewing arena. There was also intense disappointment for Thomas today to discover after clocking a solid time in the mens A-final that he had skipped a control thus registering a “mispunch” - joining the growing group of kiwis to have done this during the week.

JWOC 2007 Middle quals

Another crisp but beautiful clear sunny day dawned for the JWOC middle distance event. It was generally hoped that this distance would suit the NZers better than the long event. Starters were sent off in groups of three, each running a different course. Competitors were unable to tell which course the previous starters in their lane would be on. It was a long tense wait for the supporters until the first kiwis appeared in the extra-long finishing chute.

Early indications were good and the commentators were predicting an “antipodean avalanche” – so it was disheartening to see our first finishers dropping below the qualifying 20th position on the results board as stronger competitors crossed the finishing line. In the men only Thomas Reynolds managed to hold onto a qualifying position squeaking in at 19th. The women fared very much better in their slightly smaller field with Tineke Berthlesen qualifying 2nd in her heat, Lizzie Ingham in 3rd and Kate Morrison in 16th - a satisfying result at her first JWOC. Well done to our four “A final” qualifiers and best of luck for the final tomorrow.
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JWOC 2007 rest day

JWOC rest day! The team takes time to rest and recuperate after the long event yesterday. The team accommodation was on the outskirts of the thriving megalopolis of Dubbo but most made a trip into the shops to indulge in some retail therapy still leaving plenty of time for NZ to take on Ireland in rugby.
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Meanwhile it was time for the NZ supporters (some of whom can be seen below in their snappy supporters’ T shirts) to sample the JWOC long distance terrain in a public event held in conjunction with the Australian State Schools champs. The reason for the outburst that greeted Aiden when he appeared high on the skyline at the twin boulders two hours into his run is a story he would probably rather wasn’t told here! Meanwhile the anticipation is building for the middle distance event tomorrow.
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JWOC 2007 Long distance

The JWOC 2007 long distance event was held in classic Australian granite country south of Dubbo. Europeans dominated again although today the Australians had the pleasure of seeing two podium finishes. Simon Uppill placed 4th and was looking likely to be in the medals right up to the closing minutes of the event. Vanessa Round finished 6th. All credit to these competitors.

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Today’s event centre was in an arena with excellent viewing of three spectator controls: the first on a specially constructed wooden platform, the second at the top of a long chute descending out of the trees and the third, a control high on a hillside just below a pair of spectacular granite pillars. It was a perfect day weatherwise although the recent rain made travel on 6km of farm track tricky, particularly for the several buses which had to be towed out.


Apart from one standout performance the NZ team did not feature as prominently as yesterday. Thomas and Simon started right at the end of the field and it was clear even by the first spectator control that chasing the leaders was going to be a lonely endeavour for them. Greta Knarston was the toast of the team taking out 16th place – her second “top 20” placing in two days. An excellent effort Greta - we are mighty proud of you!

JWOC 2007 Sprint

The world renowned Western Plains Zoo was a novel location for the running of the sprint distance event on Day One of JWOC 2007. It is certainly not normal for orienteers to hear a radio control being described as the “white rhino” control. But what a day it has been for the kiwi team with three “top 20” finishers. Thomas Reynolds was kiwi star of the day achieving 15th place - separated from the podium finishers by only a matter of 14 seconds. Close behind were Greta Knarsten in 19th place and Lizzie Ingham 20th. Kate Rea in 47th and Simon Jager 48th made it 5 kiwis with “top 50” placings – a great result to give the kiwi spectators a great sense of pride.
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A wet start to the day threatened to make conditions unpleasant but fortunately the weather cleared just in time - though it was rather wet and muddy underfoot for competitors. Knowing how badly Australia needs rain it would be uncharitable to complain about the conditions and we would certainly not want to upset our hosts by highlighting their results today - but then again how could we miss an opportunity to contrast how well the kiwis did in comparison to their Australian counterparts. Although only managing only one “top 20” placing, 10th place for Simon Uppill was pretty impressive. Vanessa Round was the only other “top 50” Australian finisher taking out 23rd place. Cross Tasman rivalry is alive and well!!

New Zealand at JWOC 2007

JWOC 2007 is underway! Young orienteers from 28 different countries have assembled in Dubbo, Australia for the first Junior World Orienteering Championships to be held in the southern hemisphere. New Zealand is represented by a full strength team and the number of kiwi supporters who have crossed the Tasman to be with the team was evident by the rousing reaction they got marching through Dubbo town centre to the opening ceremony. It is thrilling to see many elite orienteers in our part of the world.

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The colour of the opening ceremony was provided by local Aborigines who warmly welcomed competitors to Wiradjuri land. A group of Dubbo students performing a series of Aborigine dances got a great response from the overseas visitors. In welcoming the visiting teams, favoured Australian team member Simon Uphill thanked the Europeans for making the long trip observing that making such a journey is what Australian (and equally all southern hemisphere competitors Simon!) normally face. The scene is set for a great orienteering event.