Orienteering Hutt Valley: Latest News
Orienteering Hutt Valley PO Box 30-398, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Phone (04) 528 6282
Diary Reminders (More Details) Sun 5 Sep Training Run Tararuas Sat 11 Sep MTBO Lower Hutt Sun 12 Sep Club event Manawatu Wed 15 Sep AW Rogaine Wgtn

Knobby Start to the Weekend, 21 Aug 10, results updated 23 Aug
The rogaine group preparing for the World Championship at Cheviot included a longer event in the afterwork series, with 6 hours in fine conditions at Kenepuru last night. The course went from Colonial Knob to Baxters Knob, and from Elsdon to the south end of Tawa. Rachel Ockelford and Caspar Harmer put up the best score, with Jo McKenzie and Ann Kendon top in the 3hr section. Results have been posted.

Cretney Classic Maintains Tradition, 16 Aug 10
The Winter Classic maintained its tradition of long tough orienteering in Karori yesterday. Key organiser Bryan Teahan for WOC mapped the tracks and bush from Karori Park up to Wrights Hill. Laura Robertson won C3 while Michael Wood was runner-up for the Cretney Trophy awarded in M40. Results have been posted.

Dramatic World Champs Finish, 16 Aug 10
Some great viewing from the world champs in Norway, with online chat, audio, video, GPS competitor tracking, and the best leaderboard we've seen. Chris Forne was the star getting another 25th in the long distance and 21st in the middle; Lara Prince was 43rd long and Ross Morrison 39th middle. The week finished yesterday with high drama in the relay; multiple world champion Thierry Gueorgiou threw away France's lead in the last km when he missed out a control! More...

Trials and Tribulations, 9 Aug 10
Since we last saw Tom Clarkson at MTBO he's had a new heart valve installed. But in Saturday's event he took a slide near the bunkers and broke a bone in his hand. In spite of that he finished the course, but he'll have an op on Wednesday to screw it together. And in Sunday's foot-o Gavin Scott was the pacemaker in Orange Short at control 5, and heading south for a control that looked like number 6 but was actually...

Meanwhile, Somewhere it's Summer, 9 Aug 10
Last week the World Masters Orienteering Champs in Switzerland. New Zealand gained a gold medal, Carsten Jorgensen of Chch winning M40. His partner Jenni Adams was 9th in W40 and Ross Brighouse of Auckland 8th in M65. And the World Championships in Norway kicked off yesterday with the sprint: Chris Forne 25th= and Ross Morrison 44th. Lizzie Ingham was to have been there but is in Britain getting help for an injured foot. Follow them here.

Hard Men and Women at Belmont, 7 Aug 10
Only hard men and women appeared at Belmont Regional Park for round 3 of the MTBO series in the cold and wet today. Liam Drew set up a good battle for the final round by winning a shortened C1 while Rachel Ockelford sewed up the womens class on C2 and then rode home for more training. Bill Edwards did C1 on foot and then ran over Belmont Trig for more! Results have been posted.

Back to the Western Hills, 7 Aug 10
Tuesday's afterwork rogaine returned to the Western Hills, where many of the early shoestring rogaines took place. And it was a beauty with Debbie Mansfield and Julie Gordon ferreting out a huge number of off-road routes between the start at Percy's Reserve and Baked Beans Bend. Orienteers Bryn Davies and Piret Klade won from adventure racers Glen Warner and Barryn Westfield, after Bill Edwards lost his map. Results have been posted.

Back to Waitarere on Foot, 4 Aug 10
The north block of the forest this time, for a round of the Orienteer of the Year contest. Rotorua adventure racer Brent Edwards, Hawkes Bay Junior World runner Duncan Morrison and Hutt-resident Red Kiwi Bryn Davies finished the long course within a minute. OTOH red medium and red short were demolished by OHV's JWOC orienteers Laura Robertson and Jula McMillan who were over 10min clear of the rest of us! Results have been posted. Yes we know about the strange class subdivision on Winsplits (but don't know the answer!)

Sunny Day at Waitarere, 18 Jul 10
Rachel Ockelford (W) and Graeme Silcock (SVet) scored their second wins in a row; and though John Randal beat Simon Kennett (M) the latter is still ahead on points. A great day in the sun at Waitarere Beach today with lots of family groups enjoying the flat terrain. David King's courses made the most of the 4X2km south block. Results have been posted.

Laura Still Flying, 17 Jul 10
Straight off the plane from Denmark Laura Robertson is still flying, with three wins at the Silva Secondary School Champs at Auckland. Predictably the 4 schoolgirls who were in the JWOC team dominated the senior girls class, with Jula McMillan 4th, 3rd and in the winning Chilton relay team with Laura; Pippa Halliday was the third relay runner. The Chilton junior girls also did well, placing third. Full results...

Afterwork Rogaines Again, 13 Jul 10
Clear and cool and fantastic views of Wellington from the western skyline tonight, in the first afterwork rogaine for a while. Bill Edwards topped the list of 70-odd who scoured Karori, Wiltons Bush, Tinakori Hill and Northland. Results have been posted.

And the Relay, 10 Jul 10
The kiwi #1 teams ran outstandingly today in the final JWOC event - boys 18th and girls 21st. But in terms of countries NZ was provisionally 14th in both cases! Laura Robertson and Matt Ogden both brought their teams up in the last leg - sure to be stories told about this one. Golds went to Norway (boys) and host country Denmark (girls), with double winner Ida Bobach overcoming a twisted ankle to share a third gold.

The Middle Night, 9 Jul 10
Laura placed 12th and Jula 21st in the JWOC middle distance B final today. But the honours belonged to Angela Simpson, Scott McDonald and Matt Ogden who were 36, 45 and 46 in the A-final. The boys (3 seconds apart) were the best non-Europeans, but the best girl was Canada's 18yo Emily Kemp, 13th. Australia's finalist was DSQ. Gold medals to Norway and Sweden; host country 4th and 6th (their top girl twisted an ankle yesterday and DNS). Last event is the relay tomorrow.

The Short Night, 8 Jul 10
It was over relatively quickly tonight, the bad news is that our girls missed qualifying for the middle distance final, Laura by just 59 seconds. The good news is that three kiwis have qualified: Angela Simpson, Matt Ogden and Scott McDonald. And this is 60% of all non-Europeans! Australia and Canada qualified one girl each. Official coverage was again poor and the World of O live blog saved the day, even being the first to post the maps. The final (including a B-final for those who missed) is tomorrow.

The Long Night, 6 Jul 10, minor corr 7 Jul
Our girls placed 77th (Laura) and 96th in todays long distance race on sand dune terrain. Angela was again the top kiwi in 32nd, in fact top girl from any English-speaking country. Live info from the organisers was poor but the World Of O website filled the gap. Denmark won the girls gold again and there was an exciting finish for the boys with Czech coming out on top. Rest day tomorrow.

Great Start by Kiwi Girls, 5 Jul 10
Laura and Jula got off to a fantastic start to their first JWOC today, placing 27th and 47th in the sprint at Aalborg University. Angela Simpson of Rotorua was NZ's star, placing 17th, with the top boy Toby Scott 33rd. Denmark won both golds, while Sweden showed most depth with 9 in the top 20. Tomorrow is the long.

Fine Sunday, 4 Jul 10
Well that's news isn't it? When did we last have one!!! Actually this item is to remind us that Laura Robertson and Jula McMillan are on the world stage this week, competing at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Denmark. Here are the times (add 10hrs for us): Mon 9-3pm Sprint; Tue 8-6pm Long; Thu 9-2pm Mid Qual; Friday 8-3pm Mid Final; Sat 9-3pm Relay. Follow them via the official JWOC website; probably the World Of O website; and the team blog.

Scaling the Heights, 27 Jun 10
Bill Edwards and Yvette Baker, ostensibly just getting used to operating as a team for 12 hours, have posted the top mixed score in the Heights of Winter rogaine on Saturday. They were 4th overall, only three open mens teams in front! The City Safari winners are preparing for the World Rogaining Champs in November. Other members there included Barryn Westfield (27th), Ket Bradshaw (37th), Jo Holden and Chris Sherwood (42nd) Simon Rea (50th) and Al Cross (who withdrew with a dislocated shoulder). Full results...

Duo Departs for Denmark, 15 Jun 10, blog link added 26 Jun
Laura and Jula leave for the Junior World Champs in a few days. Jula describes her excitement and the preparation she has been doing. Follow the team through their team blog.

Grandfather Wins MTBO, 20 Jun 10
Collecting 7 out of the 9 bonus controls paid off for the "grandfather of MTB in NZ" Simon Kennett in today's MTBO at the Makara Peak MTB Park which he helped set up. He won Open Men by 27sec, while Rachel Ockelford had a similar margin in OW: 33sec. Another cold wet Sunday but 25 people including two juniors were there. Results have been posted.

Hundreds Do Battle, 17 Jun 10
Undeterred by the southerly storm, 130 orienteers weathered the elements at Sunday's CSW/club event at Battle Hill. Former orienteer and now park ranger Andrew Nevin made mincemeat of the red short course, after claiming he wasn't fit! And a big group of Eastbourne scouts swelled the white and yellow. Results are unusually late, sorry. The Winsplits file is artificially split into too many categories, and RG has some problems too, looking into those.

Website K-stone, 8 Jun 10, updated 15 Jun
Well they called it a milestone in the old days, but the most active orienteering club website in NZ has just passed 100,000 hits! As well as news, it serves as a holding place for resources and results, the latter continuous from Dec 1998. The committee plans to make information for newcomers better and more prominent; and to update the older material.

Laura takes W20 Crown, 8 Jun 10
Laura Robertson was top in W20 at the Royal Orienteering Carnival near Auckland at the weekend. She was unbeaten in the 3 races though she had to make up a nearly-three-minute deficit after the first half of the middle distance. She did it with 4 seconds to spare! Jula McMillan finished 5th W20 overall; Anna Robertson 2nd W40; and Tim Robertson 3rd M18. Results include splits and RouteGadget. See also Maptalk/News.

First-Timer Wins Wainui, 29 May 10
Lee Campbell from Lower Hutt went for a ride over the hill to Wainuiomata today - and ended up top of the small MTBO field! In spite of a week's solid rain the bush was very pleasant; though most chose to take part on foot. The four courses are easily set up and could do with a re-run. Results...

Four Weeks to JWOC Take-Off, 25 May 10
Jula McMillan and Laura Robertson are off to the Junior World Champs in Denmark in just 4 weeks. They will take part in a 2-day competition there, a training camp provided by the organisers, and JWOC itself from 4-11 July. Laura describes the preparation she has been doing.

Bill Best in Bus, 17 May 10
Not only Best in Britain but Bill is Best on the Bus! In an amazing display of strategy and stamina, he and former world orienteering champion Yvette Baker outwitted the favourites to win the City Safari yesterday. Their route included Tinakori Hill, Newlands, Johnsonville, Ngaio and Brooklyn. Other top OHV results include Ramash Swamy 3rd and John Randal 1st 6hr family; and the Sheridan/Clendon clan 1st and 2nd 3hr families only 5 points apart! Results have been posted.

Record Safari, More Rogaines Promised, 6 May 10, updated 13 May
With three days to go last year's record of 540 has been passed. Be in quick (or put your hand up to help manage the throng on Sunday 16th!) And during the (last) week serious rogainers met to plan training opportunities leading up the world champs in November - which will be available for all comers. More soon.

Bill Best in Britain, 3 May 10
Bill Edwards has notched up another British orienteering title. In the mainly pine forest with some intricate mining terrain of Cannock Chase, he won M40 by 76 seconds from a tight field. The Winsplits record shows a 40-second blip at control 3 dropped him to 9th, from where he worked his way back up to 2nd. A similar 50sec error by his main rival at 15 gave him the lead by 2sec, 7sec down at 16, but then a strong run to the end. As the world M40 sprint-o champion, you won't be surprised that he won the finish split! Bill's route is on the UK RouteGadget, look in Course 7.

One Week for City Safari Entries, 29 Apr 10
Just one week to enter at normal rates - the biggest rogaine in NZ! Pretty-well all the 6-hour winners since the event began are coming. Bill Edwards who won 3 years ago and almost won last year has teamed up with Britain's first orienteering gold medallist - Yvette Baker. Now all we need are heaps of families on the 3-hour event and a fine day like Moonshine24! The event is on Sunday 16 May and the entry form is on the website.

Hints for Beginners, 26 Apr 10
Yesterday's MTBO course contains some very good lessons for beginner riders. Michael Wood has noted the features that he would look for on the course, together with some navigational techniques he would use. More...

Wheels in Totara Park, 25 Apr 10
While some were out picking up controls from last weekend (there were 83!) others were wheeling round the riverbank at Totara Park. The MTBO course was evaluated for baby-buggy-o by William and Sarah - verdict, ideal terrain. Maybe it would suit wheelchair-o. Woulda been a golden opportunity to introduce new footies to orienteering too, but praps you were out on a long training run:-)) Results have been posted.

Groovers Place in Moonshine24, 20 Apr 10
Although several of the club's top rogainers were involved in the organisation, others took part and recorded top results in the gruelling event. Highest in the midday-to-midday championship was Ramash Swamy, 5th with world mixed junior champion Tim Farrant from Christchurch. Mark Hearfield was 13th and 2nd Veteran, with double Safari winner Andy Foster. Foster is WCC's fastest city councillor. And better known as mountainbikers, Simon Kennett and John Randal won the 12hr event run 6pm-midnight and 6am-midday. In all there were 220 participants.

Valley on Top at Schools, 19 Apr 10, result link added 20 Apr
Back to the desks today but schoolies were battling for North Island orienteering honours among the boxthorns on Waitarere sand dunes Fri-Sat. Laura Robertson won senior girls by a healthy 4min (Jula McMillan 5th) and Tim Robertson won Intermediate Boys by 6. The Chilton team (Robertson, McMillan and Pippa Halliday) won the senior girls relay from Marsden and Havelock North. Full results are now on the WOC website.

Stewart and Hamilton Win Moonshine, 18 Apr 10, winners routes added 19 Apr
Wgtn's Jamie Stewart and Greig Hamilton from Christchurch won the Silva NZ Rogaining Championship this weekend. They were 230 points ahead of Phil Wood and Nathan Fa'avae. Veterans Debbie Mansfield and Julie Gordon (Upper Hutt) were the top women beating open pair Penny Kane and Eloise Watson. Even though run in perfect weather the course in the Akatarawas was very tough, with many top-ranked teams having trouble off the tracks. Results here including winners' routes.

Jula's In! 12 Apr 10
One person's misfortune is another's good luck, and Jula McMillan has replaced an injured member of the NZ team for the Junior World Championships. Good luck Jula!

150 Moonshiners, 9 Apr 10
Entries have topped 150 for Moonshine24, the NZ Rogaine Champs next weekend. They include multiple Coast to Coast champion Jill Westenra, former world rogaine champion Dennis de Monchy, and previous NZ champions Nathan Fa'avae and Phil Wood. Former OHV member Wood was named "rogainer of the year" by NZOF at Easter for his performances last year which included the NZ Championship and the Heights of Winter. Website...

What could he have done Without the Extra Weight?? 7 Apr 10
In spite of his extra hardware, Bill Edwards anchored Hutt Valley to a best-ever third place in the national relays on Monday! He held off NW's Mark Lawson by 3 seconds, and actually ran faster than Danish star Carsten Jorgensen, who brought PAPO into 2nd. The other runners were Ramash Swamy and Laura Robertson. But in a capital coup, the relay was won by Wellington OC, with Jamie Stewart, Nick Hann and Lizzie Ingham. Results...

Seven Titles to OHV, 7 Apr 10
Groovies brought home seven national titles from the rocks and goldfields of Central Otago at Easter weekend. Star was Laura Robertson with two - the sprint and long distance - and even then she was second in the middle distance. Other champions are Susan Basire (W40 long); Tim Robertson (M18 long); John Robertson (M45 mid); Michael Wood (M60 mid); Gavin Scott (M65 long). In the extremely testing mining terrain OHV also scored another 8 individual placings. Summary...

A Sore Write Hand, 28 Mar 10
Bill Edwards will be competing with a handicap at next weekend's national championships - his right hand is filled with hardware holding his little finger together. An awkward catch at cricket smashed the bone into several pieces. He holds his compass in his right hand too and he's worried the metal may affect the needle! However it didn't stop him posting the top score in Thursday's rogaine, running a sprint training exercise based on yesterday's MTBO or setting fastest time at today's event on Mt Kaukau.

Back to Basics, 27 Mar 10
This year's first "Brownie" MTB-Orienteering event returned to the riverbank where we had the first one two years ago - Melling to Kennedy-Good. But if you thought you knew it you were in for a surprise, because it's always changing! Everyone, even some very small ones, managed the long course between the two bridges! Results have been posted. And also the MTBO map; but note that its 1.2mb. We also have the riverbank mapped for foot-o.

Credits for Rogaine, 25 Mar 10
Last night's rogaine was a school project which will earn planner Alex Nicholson NCEA credits. It was a fun run round the "Southern Bays" of Wellington in warm conditions. Mark Hearfield and Andy Foster only just headed off Hazel Bidmead and Jackie O'Hagan (10 points) but a dark horse who started and finished late may still upset things. Kirk Symmes, Jonathan Grey and Daniel Steer from Wellington College won the secondary school section. Results have been posted.

Scouting Out Days Bay, 25 Mar 10
A big group of cubs from Eastbourne enjoyed both courses at Days Bay last night; as well as national squad members. Bryn Davies, 2nd in the Tararua mountain race 10 days ago, was fastest on the longer one. Results have been posted.

Hash House Announced, 23 Mar 10
Director Mike Sheridan has announced the start/finish/hash-house for the NZ Rogaine Championship in the Aka's. Known as the "Dude Ranch" by American soldiers stationed here during WW2, it's now a large open field surrounded by bush; the first Ak Attack started there. Entries so far include world #2 Dennis de Monchy with brother Pim, these guys grew up in Lower Hutt! You can also sign up for 3, 6 or 12 hours; entries close on 7 April; more...

Busy Week, 23 Mar 10
OHV had to cancel last Sunday's orienteering - no course planner - but there are three events in the next four days! They span the range of club activity: foot-orienteering at Days Bay tomorrow Wed; urban rogaine based at Rongotai Thu; and MTBO on the riverbank on Sat. Neighbour Wgtn OC also has a club event near Johnsonville on Sunday.

Riverbank Run, 11 Mar 10
A good turnout last night for Hutt Valley's first contribution to the Wednesday summer series. A short course close to the traditional historic old cloisters, and a long course which made use of the paddocks and riverbank. OHV will do another one at Days Bay in a fortnight, next week's one is at Churton Park. Results have been posted.

Friendly Orienteering, 1 Mar 10
A lot of newcomers sampled orienteering at the "Friends of Belmont Regional Park" open day yesterday, alongside informative walks, MTB groups, and 4WD rides. Times maybe not so important but here they are for the record. Part of Greater Wellington's Summer Outdoor Programme, OHV will run a more comprehensive day at the Stratton St park entrance on 21 Mar.

Laura for Denmark, 25 Feb 10
Laura Robertson has been selected for the Junior World Orienteering Championship, to be held in Denmark in July. And Jula McMillan may yet be going too, as she is the reserve and there is an injury cloud over one girl. NZ is sending a full team of 6 men and 6 women. At the same time Laura and Jula have been named in the NZOF Development Squad. Go girls!

Shapeshifter, 24 Feb 10
Sculptor Campbell Maud, featured in this week's Hutt News is a former member of OHV. Maud's work is part of the 2010 Shapeshifter exhibition which opens tomorrow near the Town Hall. Parents Robin and Carol were both on the committee in the 80's, and Robin has been a driving force behind the Hutt River Trail.

OHV Dominates OY, 17 Feb 10
Hutt Valley men dominated course 1 in the OY near Masterton on Sunday. Tim Robertson was 1st, Ramash Swamy 2nd and John Robertson 4th after NZ rep Lizzie Ingham. Meanwhile Gavin Scott won Red Short and Michael Wood was 18sec behind on Red Medium. Full results (three different formats) are available via the WOC website. The OY points so far are on the WOA website.

Thanks Pub Charity, 2 Feb 10
OHV has a new tent, its second-biggest investment in recent times after electronic timing equipment. An expanding tent that goes up in minutes has been bought with the help of a big grant from Pub Charity. It was "baptised" on Sunday at the Akatarawa Attack.

Girls Trial Well, 1 Feb 10
Laura Robertson finished 3rd, 2nd and 3rd in JWOC trials at Massey Uni and Waitarere at the weekend. Jula McMillan was close behind with a 4th and two 6ths. The Junior World Orienteering Championships are in Denmark in July. Sunday's long distance race was also the first OY for the year, with Susan Edwards top woman on Red Medium. Bill and Susan Edwards planned Saturday's middle distance trial on the OHV map "Wanda". Results...

Kennett and Randal Regain Results, 1 Feb 10
Simon Kennett and John Randal regained their Ak Attack title yesterday, visiting 35 out of the 40 control points in the rugged Akatarawas and scoring 1740 out of 2010. Marty Dinniss, Dave Howard and Tristan Kramers got 675 to win the 4-hour section. The MTB rogaine was based in the Maungakotukutuku Valley on the Kapiti side. Results on the event website.

Sprint to the Death in Hawkes Bay, 24 Jan 10
Bill Edwards held off a runner less than half his age in the SprintTheBay tour at the weekend - until the last possible moment! In the "green jersey" competition over six sprint races, a nominated leg and the finish split were accumulated. After five races Bill moved into the lead, by one second. In the final race 19yo Scott McDonald caught that second. A one-at-a-time sprint-off was taken - identical to the second! Finally, on a count-back, the green jersey was awarded to McDonald. Laura Robertson was 6th womens elite on overall times, though a points system is definitive. More...

Near-Record Participation! 13 Dec 09
Participation in 2009 was 2327 units - the highest we have ever had in a "normal" year - one in which we don't run a NZ Championship! The participation came from 32 events which attracted between 8 and 540 people! Over 40 key people made them happen. The figures and the people...

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