Kieran Metherell (13), of Christchurch, on his way to
victory in the under-14 men's category of the South Island
Orienteering Championships at the Cuttance Block at Henley
yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Whether they were dashing around Dunedin streets or
flying down a rugged hill at Henley, orienteerers from around
the world got a taste of the challenges Otago can offer during
Labour Weekend.
The South Island Orienteering Championships attracted 170
competitors aged from 8 years old to those in their 80s,
including about 50 European athletes fresh from the World
Masters Games in Australia.
On Saturday, a sprint race was held around the University of
Otago and Otago Polytechnic.
It was followed on Sunday by a middle distance event at
Gabriels Gully and a long distance event yesterday at the
Cuttance forestry block south of Dunedin.
Event controller Brian Buschel said the events were organised
by the Dunedin Orienteering Club and were seen as a "dress
rehearsal" for the New Zealand Championships in Central Otago
over Easter next year.
"It's given us a chance to iron out our systems."
Some of those competing at the weekend were among the top in
their categories in the world including elite men's winner
Carsten Jergensen, of Christchurch, and elite women's winner
Anna Forsberg, of Sweden.
The most popular class yesterday was the 60 to 70 years age
group.
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