Bunbury weekend results and report

Saturday 20 April: Evedon Ridge Foot O | Results |
Sunday 21 April: Bussell Brook MTBO | Results |

Two great events in the beautiful south west.
After a foot Orienteering event on Saturday afternoon Sunday’s first MTBO event of the year saw a small number of hardy souls brave the occasional showers and seemingly endless hills of the Bussell Brook map.

The courses, set by first time MTBO setter and SWOT Convenor Peter O’Loughlin, were a bit longer than the recommendation, which saw slightly extended winning time. However, there was an interesting feature of the long course whereby riders first rode the medium course and then the short course, with a map changeover at registration. 

This was a nice way to fit courses on the smallish map and allowed those who were overambitious or perhaps daunted by the extra distance involved, to retire after completing the medium and still record a result.

Rob West had a comfortable five minute win on the short course, with first time finisher Natasha Sparg just taking out the womens’ race over Susan Penfold, another first timer, by a slim margin of 19 seconds.  Kjell Winther had an even bigger win on the medium course, after retiring midway through the long, and local SWOT representative Robyn Harris took full points for the women. On the long course, Ricky Thackray lasted the distance over the 45+km to show that endurance pay dividends and easily took the win. Ricky enjoyed the extended distance as he prepares for the national team selection trials in Victoria this coming weekend.

Thanks to all for the event, to the Elderfields and O’Loughlins for billeting Perth based orienteers and to all SWOTters for running the two days of events which, in true SWOT style, included sausage sizzles and spot prizes to round out the occasion.