Peninsula orienteers compete with success

Press, 15 May 1985, Page 45

Peninsula orienteers compete with success

Twenty-five members of the Peninsula and Plains Orienteers (Canterbury and Nelson region) competed with some success in the national championships at Waitarere. near Levin, at the week-end. There was a big entry of 450 orienteers from throughout New Zealand and competition was fierce in all age-groups and gradings. The map featured sand dune terrain covered in pine trees. The sand dunes were up to 20m high and provided intricate contour detail, requiring close navigation throughout the course. In the men’s elite grade two Swedes at present visiting Canterbury schools, Martin Johanssen" and Mats Neilsson, beat the first New Zealand orienteer, Kevin Ireland (Pinelands Tokoroa), by 3min and Imin respectively. Ireland won the title with a time of Ihr 21min 33s for the 12.1 km course. He finished only 10s clear of Mark McKenna (Rotorua). In the women’s elite grade Alison Stewart (Central Auckland) had an impressive winning margin of smin over Amita Dowling (Dunedin) on the B.Bkm course. The placings of the Peninsula and Plains Orienteers

competitors were:— Women's 21 elite.—J. Talbot 6. J. Guest 7, C. Williams 12. W2IA.-M. Pilkington 2. J. Kav 3. W218.-A. MacDonald 6. Wl3 to 14A.-M. Cook 6. W50.-A. McCarthy 7. Men's 21 elite.—R. Kay 13. M2l A.-J. Tubb 6. M. King 14, R. Thomas 15, R. Miller 16. P. Hammond 18. M2l 8.-B. Street 4. MI9A.-D. Scott 8. Ml 7 to 18.—M. Rentoul 3. K. Lyons 12. P. Cowan 13. Ml 3 to 148 —D. McCarthy 5. M35A.-I. Street 19. M40.-A. Cook 3. M5O —D. Mclntosh 3, J. Rentoul 7. Relays Men’s open.—Pinelands Tokoroa 1. Red Kiwis Palmerston North 2. Peninsula and Plains I (Scott, Miller, Kay) 3. Peninsula and Plains II (Tubb, King, Thomas) 7. Women's open.—South Auckland veterans 1, South Auckland juniors 2, Peninsula and Plains (Talbot. Guest, Williams) 3. Mixed A.—Peninsula and Plains (Hammond, Cook, I. Street) 2. Mixed B.—Peninsula and Plains (B. Street, D. Rentoul, Pilkington) 2.