O-Max 2009 Results

Link here to Series Points.

Event 6: Botanical Gardens; Thurs 10 Dec 09

It was Grey with a few spots of rain, but good conditions for the final OMax event for this year, although it was a bit more humid that the temperature suggested.

The course was set by Nick Hann and consisted of two loops with three of three X controls required at any time. One loop was nearly twice as long as the other and there were lots of climbs in there too with the pivot control near the top of one of the highest hills in the gardens.

Bill Edwards again outclassed the rest with the only sub-thirty minute run.  Magnus would be pleased with only a 66 second deficit in second place.  Todd was not far behind with Lizzie the first Women home only 9 seconds further back.  Malcolm Ingham was the best Veteran, 53 seconds ahead of Michael Wood.  The best girls time was Alexandra Riddle at 61:15, all the hills and the length of the course was probably a bit much for the Girls contingent.

Congratulations go to the series winners:

Event 5: Whitirea Park; Wed 2 Dec 09

This week winter was back, but at least the worst of the rain had cleared away.  Still the grass was wet and the swampy areas wet.

Lizzie set a course with 4 of 5 memory controls required any time while completing 3 loops.

This event turned out to be the decider in all grades.  Todd Oates needed to win to keep his chances of taking or sharing the Mens title, but Bill Edwards won by 51 seconds to take an unassailable lead.  In the Womens grade Laura won, but with Lizzie planning the course she automatically gets the score for her best other round and therefore clinches the grade win.  In the Veterans grade Michael Wood clinches the win after owning up to having seen the map before hand last week.  The Girls grade will go to Alexandra Riddle.

There is still the pride of second place to battle for in all grades except Women where Laura has clinched second.

Event 4: Upper Hutt; Tues 24 Nov 09

It felt like a summers evening with about 18 °C and some scattered cloud.  Harcourt Park, the river bank and California Park provided stands of trees and other features that made for good sprint orienteering.

Bruce set us a course with 4 loops and 5 extra X controls or which 3 were required at any time.  The four loops, each done in the same order allowed Bruce to put controls behind objects like single trees without being unfair for competitors coming in different directions.

It turned out to be quite hot work, sprinting around the park in the sun, especially since many of us have not fully recovered from the Wellington Orienteering Champs over the weekend.  Bill Edwards put in the best time of the day again.  Laura Robertson (Women) and Michael Wood (Veterans) both won their grades with good margins and also now lead the points competition.  Lara, Hannah and Ellie made up the girls field, all completing their first OMax.

Event 3: Manor Park; Thu 19 Nov 09

It was a nice night with sun and patchy cloud for the event.  The location of Thunderball Adventure games park provided a much stiffer Orienteering test than most of the OMax events.  Michael Wood set us a course consisting of 4 loops: Short, Short, Long, Short.  The innovation he introduced was to have three large circles where you are required to get 2 of 4 controls in that large circle.

Michael assured us that two weeks ago the blackberry was not too bad.  I know a number of us suffered from not being prepared to face the blackberry and possibly also the tricks with some of the intricate curved paths in some areas.

Bill Edwards put in the best time of 15:01 and Lizzie Ingham, not far behind with third best time overall, the best Woman with 16:46.  Both have now taken a clear lead in their grades.    Mick Finn was beaten into second place in the veterans class by David King and is consequently one point behind Michael Wood who gets a best other score bonus for setting the course tonight.

Event 2: Seatoun; Wed 11 Nov 09

 The rain that arrived later than predicted cleared for the event, but there was still a cold southerly.  We still got a good turnout.  The course was planned by Todd Oates, and he set a 3 loop course with 3 pairs of controls of which two pairs were required.  The last loop took in the hills to the south of Seatoun where there are some old fortifications mapped as caves.

Bill Edwards turned in the best time with 23:54, Lizzie Ingham took out the Womens grade for the second week while Micheal Wood turned the tables on Mick Finn.  There was a low turnout in Girls and no boys so please encourage any possible participants.