A beautiful summer’s day Orienteering in lush green parkland. A total of 197 pupils took part in our 4th league event. Our event centre was set up at the tables and benches under beautiful shady trees situated outside the Delta Park Environmental Centre.
Courses took participants past dams, through open grassland as well as into lush overgrown areas where controls were sometimes rather hard to spot. The loudest complaint from both a number of girls and boys was the fact that the last control was ‘hidden’ in long grass in the middle of a somewhat muddy area. The more competitive participants were, however, unperturbed and happily covered shoes and clothes in mud as they raced through to the Finish. One competitor even left her shoe behind in the mud as she completed her course. Those new to the sport learnt very quickly that white shoes and shirts were not recommended for Orienteering.
The greatest map challenge proved to be the open grassland where many pupils found it difficult to orientate their maps according to physical features around them. There were again a few disqualifications with competitors leaving out controls. A reminder to always keep your thumb where you were last on your map to prevent making this mistake.
When in doubt, stand still, reorientate yourself thinking about where you last were on your map and as Garry Morrison tells everyone ‘make a plan’ that you can follow.
You are also far more likely to be disqualified when working together with or following someone else as can be seen from common mistakes made.
Well done to participants who persevered and continued to the Finish in spite of twisting ankles while running across the uneven terrain. Great sportsmanship was displayed with fellow orienteers helping out those who had hurt themselves.
Congratulations to St Davids boys who continue to dominate the schools log, again followed by Fourways in 2nd position and Helpmekaar in 3rd position.
Winning Senior Girl Christie Courtnage from Trinity and Junior Girl Kirsten Chambers from Fourways have won all 4 out of the 5 possible events in the league.
The Senior Boys was won by Rory Ellis from St Davids for the second time with Jaya Curtis also from St Davids, winner of the other 2 league events, only 3 seconds behind him.
A very pleasing improvement from Randpark boys Martin Trifinov and Thabang Machaba who placed 3rd and 4th this week. We hope to see you continue doing so well next week. Randpark girls are also showing great improvement each week. Thanks must go to Randpark teacher Ms Kupper for all the time and effort put into coaching pupils over many years.
Junior Boys was won for the second week in a row by James Breytenbach followed by James Hancock (Heronbridge winner) only 56 seconds behind. Moving steadily up the ladder Brandon Gallichan came third. All three boys being from St Davids made sure their school again placed first in the Schools log.
This week the Primary Boys category was won by Keagan van Huysteen from Bryanston Parallel Medium followed by Connor Morrison of Cliffview. Moving up to third position just 28 seconds behind his brother was our youngest competitor Cameron Morrison. Their times again compare most favourably with the High School Junior Boys who run the same courses. For the first time we had a Primary Girl come and try Orienteering. She completed the Boys course together with her friends from Summit.
Photos have been posted on the OSL Facebook page.
We look forward to see you at Golden Harvest Park next week.
Karen
Thank you to Garry Morrison (Adventure Racing Club and SAOF President) for planning and setting out courses as well as running the Start. He was ably assisted by Pat de Klerk from RACO. Cally De Klerk and Denise Courtnage (RACO) helped out at the Finish control while Glen and Del Comins(ROC) and Anthony Stott (WITSOC) were out on the course giving assistance. Klaus (RACO) again ran the computer capably sorting out entries and results. Thank you to teachers from Krugersdorp, Charter and Helpmekaar who also assisted at Registration and the Finish. Finally a big thank you to Club Juniors Christie, Kirsten, Carl, Cameron and Connor who helped control collect and pack up after the event.