NOY7
Results on Eventor | Splits on Attackpoint | Routegadget
Planner’s Report:
After a week of miserable weather, orienteers were blessed with a mild, sunny morning for
the last day of winter and the final NOY event of 2014. Perfect orienteering conditions in
one of the club’s best areas! Using largely the same area as last year’s NSW Championships,
competitors were treated to some very open forest, creeks that were (surprisingly) largely
dry and not too much climb. This was reflected in Alex Massey’s blistering winning time of
45:04 for the 6.7km Hard Long course, while many other runners were also recording very
fast kilometre rates.
Hopefully, in enjoying the beautiful conditions, not too many people noticed that a good
deal of the event was recycled from last year. There were a few of the same controls (with
different approaches), a few “nearby” sites and a couple of rejects that didn’t make it last
time, while the easier courses were very similar, but run in the opposite direction. Even the
assembly area was recycled! (“Why waste all that mowing?” I asked myself.) I trust this did
not detract from peoples’ enjoyment of the day, but feel that it was making good use of
the best bits of the map. Although still a little jet-lagged, I at least managed to put the right
control in the right spot 44 times and even remembered the cups for the water controls, so I
hope people went home happy.
As always, the event was a team effort. Big “thank you”s are due to Peter Newton (setting
up, packing away and remembering to bring a missing SI unit), Cheryl Todkill (front of
house), Joy Guy (FOH and control collection), Rudi Landsiedel (control collection), Denis
Lyons (control collection & general inspiration), Merrilyn McSporran (SportIdent), Malcolm
Roberts (SportIdent), Margaret Peel (string course) and Geoff Todkill (printing).
In particular, however, I need to thank Rob Vincent. Officially the event vetter, he took
charge of much more while I was overseas, reviewing the courses, checking control sites,
making necessary changes, revising and correcting the map and forwarding the finished files
for printing. This is a significant contribution in its own right, but was done at the same time
as fulfilling a key role in Newcastle’s 2014 State League events - and on the back of having
also been a key figure in the ONSW Easter carnival events. Tireless effort, Rob!
If there is anyone I have missed, I do apologise. You can give me a “special map” at some
future event as punishment.
One last thing: I love to know where competitors go on my courses. If you’ve never used
RouteGadget (or have got a bit slack) there is a new version which works pretty well. Click
the link, then check the “Draw your route” box and you can show the world how you tackled
the course. Feedback is always welcome!
Location/Map: “Astley’s Tower East”, 1:10000, 5m contours
Planner: David Kitchener
Controller: Robert Vincent
Directions:
From Sydney, head north on the M1 Pacific Motorway (formerly F3 Freeway). After 98 km, take the Cessnock exit and follow signposted route to Cessnock. At the first traffic lights, turn left into Vincent Street. Follow this road for 5 km, proceed through Kitchener (past the Poppethead Park), then after a further 1km keep watch for orienteering signs.
From Newcastle, proceed to Kurri Kurri, then follow signposted route to Cessnock. At the second set of traffic lights, turn left into Vincent Street. Follow this road for 6 km, proceed through Kitchener (past the Poppethead Park), then after a further 1km keep watch for orienteering signs.
Parking: Park as directed under the power-line bordering the West side of Quorrobolong Road. For safety reasons, vehicles should NOT park on the opposite (East) side of this 100 km/h road.
Mapper’s notes:
Terrain - This is classic Hunter Valley spur-gully terrain, mostly undulating, but very steep in sections. A complex track network and fine watercourse and erosion gully detail is present across much of the map.
Vegetation is variable from highly runnable to very thick, while visibility is generally good. Full body cover is recommended due to patches of thick and/or spiky growth.
Planner’s notes:
Special controls - The longer courses (Hard 1 to 6) will have at least one “pivot” control which is visited more than once. There is a spectator control adjacent to the Arena which is visited prior to completing the final loop of the course. Tapes define the viewing area for the spectator control (beyond these tapes is out of bounds).
Children Safety - The Arena and car park areas are close to Quorrobolong Road which is quite busy with local traffic travelling at speed. Also, the creek to the West of the Arena has deep pools with muddy edges. Parents and guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children.
Out of bounds: The forested area immediately adjacent to the South of the Arena is not to be entered and is clearly marked with tape and signs. On the map it is shown with stripes as Out of Bounds. The forest to the West of the Carpark and either side of the walk to the Start is Out of Bounds and sign posted as such.
Courses:
HARD-Long: 6.7km, 180m climb, 16 controls
HARD-Medium: 5.1km, 150m climb, 13 controls
HARD-Short: 3.8km, 100m climb, 11 controls
MODERATE-Long: 3.7km, 95m climb, 11 controls
MODERATE-Short: 2.5km, 60m climb, 10 controls
EASY: 2.4km, 55m climb, 10 controls
VERY EASY: 2.0km, 40m climb, 10 controls
Start times: 9:30 to 11:30am with course closure at 1pm
View NOY 7 in a larger map