Wow, what a fantastic new map!  The first Mt Lilydale Sprint was held at the MLMC campus, which slopes down either side of a steep hill.  There are stairs everywhere, with multiple levels, and lots of nooks and crannies – as well as a market garden, small farm, and vineyard!  Congratulations to the mapping and course planning team of Damian Spencer, Peter Dalwood, and Wayne Love, who created a highly readable, detailed and accurate map, and memorable two-part courses with great route choices all the way through.  We had so many positive comments, that we’returning later this year, to use an enormous indoor space to create an Indoor-Outdoor event with a difference.  Look out for this in November 2024!

Click here to see the maps

Click here for results and splits

Click here for photos

Click here for route analysis on Livelox

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2024 Park Street Championship Medallists!  The Champs were held on DROC’s High Hampton map, last Monday, which truly tested decision making skills at every turn.  Medals will be presented at the Awards Night on Wednesday March 27, which follows the final Summer Series event at Tally Ho.  We’ve hired a hall and hope to have some catering.

GOLD – Martin Sime, Peter Dalwood, Ian Greenwood, Rosalind King

SILVER – Ian Davies, Pamela King

BRONZE – Ian Dodd, Phil Torode

Thanks to Peter and Ilze Yeates who took care of the all important Finish.

Click here to see the results, and the competition map.

Click here for photos

Six DROC members contested the Oceania Sprint carnival on the North Island of New Zealand.  New Plymouth hosted the Lonely Mountain Sprints, a series of five races including the Oceania Knock-Out Sprint and Sprint Relay.  The action then moved to Auckland for the Triple Crown, which incorporated the Oceania Individual Sprint.  It was a successful trip, with Pam King taking out third place in the Lonely Mountain Sprint series, first place in the Oceania Sprint, and first place overall in the Auckland Triple Crown.  Peter Dalwood was third overall in the Auckland Triple Crown, while Peter Yeates and Debbie Dodd were both fifth in the ATC.  We all had a great time, and enjoyed the variety of sprint venues, which ranged from small but complex school campuses, several gorgeous gardens, a cemetery, Auckland University’s city campus, and the last race at the Auckland Viaduct, right on the waterfront.

Head to our GALLERY to view some photos.

Sprints are big news in 2024, and we kicked off with a bang!  We’ve been fortunate enough to have Monash entrust us with their amazing Learning and Teaching Building (LTB) – and we used it to full advantage, with controls located on each of its four levels.  This was a rare and unique opportunity to orienteer in an outstanding multi-level indoor environment.  It was mad, manic, magical and magnificent!  We might even do it again next year …

How it worked: it was a 2 person, 4 leg relay, with each person getting to run twice.  Runner 1 completed the first Outdoor leg; runner 2 completed the first Indoor leg; runner 1 completed the second Indoor leg; runner 2 completed the second Outdoor leg.  There was a map flip, pivot controls, and relay variations, as well as an A4, 1:4000 map for Outdoors, and an A3, 1:1000 map for Indoors.

Photos (thanks Frankie!)

Maps

Results

Thanks to course planner extraordinaire, James Love; and to the DROC crew who once again provided another top DROC event!

Congratulations to the following club members who finished 2023 in the National Rankings. Points were earned for placings at the Oceania Championships, Australian Championships, and Australian 3-Days.

• Janine Steer
• Peter Dalwood
• Simon Rouse
• Lanita Steer (National League)

The 2023 Victorian Sprint Championships, hosted by Yarra Valley Orienteering Club, were held on November 26 at Whitefriars College, Donvale.  The map was first used for the Knockout Sprint Final of the 2022 Melbourne Sprint Weekend.  Set on a considerable slope, with many oddly angled buildings compressed into a small space, the map is a nicely challenging sprint venue.  DROC had a strong contingent taking part, and we certainly looked impressively colourful in our new race shirts, gathered under our new club flag.

After competing in the Championship races, many of us had another go in the fast and furious Mad Dash, which was heaps of fun with its small group mass starts and head to head racing.

Here are our winners and placegetters – congratulations!

• First Place and Victorian Champion:  Janine Steer
• Second Place:  Asha Steer
• Third Place:  Pamela King, Debbie Dodd, Sally Barlow, Helen Walpole, Ian Davies

Visit our GALLERY for some photos.

Melbourne City Racers were joined by internationals from New Zealand and Canada, and interstaters from NSW, SA, QLD and ACT.  And for some, it was their first ever orienteering race.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and the waterside arena was a picture, as we all decided which yachts we’d like to sail away on.

Course planners Peter and Ilze Yeates made fantastic use of the multiple levels of The District and other places with stairs – but my favourite controls were the larger-than-life elephant’s trunk emerging from the concrete, and the upside down cow tangled in tree branches!  Sprinting along the final Promenade was pretty cool too, and the spot prizes were also a hit!

We hope everyone enjoyed this year’s edition of the Race.  There were certainly some close finishes.  Results and split times are on Eventor, and you can add your route to Livelox: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/18436

You can view the maps here

Head to our GALLERY to see DROC members in action.   And you’ll find even more top shots here – thanks to our roving photographers Frankie and Damian.

The 4^th Melbourne City Race took us back to where it all began, at Docklands.  We had a brand new start location in the north of the map, which meant everyone was able to tackle the multi-level mayhem of The District, and explore New Quay, Waterfront City, Marvel Stadium and Victoria Harbour.   Adventure abounded, with a newly updated map, and a choice of five courses from 3 – 10 km in length.

The 2024 Melbourne City Race will take place on Sunday November 17.  As in previous editions, you’ll use a full colour, highly detailed map to navigate your way around your course.  Sportident controls will be in Air mode for rapid racing.

Find out more: www.melbournecityrace.com.au

Check out the highlights video from the first MCR at Docklands

So what’s a Summer Short?  A new series of short distance, fast-paced, family friendly orienteering events, held on Sunday mornings in October and November.  Think of them as long sprints (rather than short bush) – lots of controls, varied leg lengths, route choices, and many changes of direction.  Winning times are approx 20-25 minutes; most people can expect to complete their course in 30-40 minutes.  Find out more about Summer Shorts – click here

Here’s what we offered:

DROC had a great weekend at the recent Victorian Orienteering Champs.  The Middle Distance and Long Distance events were held at Mt Alexander, near Harcourt.  The map features (a lot of) granite, and some seriously steep slopes, which really tested the mettle of those on longer courses.  The areas closer to the arena are more open and with fewer contours; ideal for shorter courses.   The weather was perfect, and it was beautiful to be out in the forest with the sun shining.

At the end of the weekend, DROC had several new Victorian Champions, and more podium placegetters!  Congratulations to:

Vic Middle Distance Champs:

• 1st Place – Pamela King, Matthew Maunder
• 2nd Place – Elijah Spencer, Helen Walpole, Chris Klep, Damian Spencer
• 3rd Place – Lanita Steer, Peter Dalwood

Vic Long Distance Champs:

• 1st Place – Pamela King, Chris Klep, Simon Rouse
• 2nd Place – Elijah Spencer, Ian Davies, Ray Scaddan
• 3rd Place – Damian Spencer, Debbie Dodd

Have you seen our fantastic new club tops and jackets?  We’ve also refreshed our flag, and you’ll see our amazing new tent wall at the Summer Shorts in October!

Check out the GALLERY for more photos.