Hello everyone, this is a special bulletin explaining Easter 2021 and encouraging you to attend what is set to be a terrific carnival on superb maps.
We've compiled a quick Q&A covering generalities and a few specifics - for more detailed info please go to the event website
here (the link is also via the logo on the LHS of this bulletin).
If you have any questions that can't be solved by the website, email the
organisers. Alternately, someone at your club will likely be able to help you.
Version 4 of
Bulletin 1 has just been released.
Q: What is Easter orienteering?
A: A major national carnival held every year, rotating around the states. In 2021 it is being staged in the
Central West region of NSW. It is expected to draw more than 600 participants from across Australia.
Q: When are the events on?
A: All four days of the Easter long weekend, plus two events midweek and the postponed 2020 NSW championships on the following weekend.
(a) The first weekend (Apr 2-5) has events in
Orange (Fri) and
near Molong (Sat-Sun-Mon) where we revisit the intricate granite
Gumble map.
(b) Midweek (Wed-Thu, Apr 7-8) are informal events. Wednesday is a Sprint in a park in
Orange, while Thursday is a Middle Distance in the historic gold mining area at
Ophir Diggings.
(c) The second weekend moves to bushranger territory and the awesome granite Seldom Seen maps near
Eugowra (Sat and Sun, Apr 10-11) for the NSW Middle and Long Championships. You can see Bulletin 1
here.
Q: Do I have to pre-qualify?
A: No, unlike other sports there is no qualification for any of the events.
Q: Do I have to enter all of the events?
A: No, you can enter whichever ones you like. Please note the cut-off date is March 7. Late entries will be permitted until March 10 but attract a surcharge of $15 per event. We strongly encourage you to pre-enter. You can choose to enter one or two days of the Easter – see the
How to Guide.
Q: Will they have Enter on Day in case I cannot commit to pre-entering?
A: (a) Easter -
NO. (b) Midweek - Yes. (c) Eugowra - there will be a limited number of EOD Hard, Moderate and Easy courses. Go to the Registration Tent at each day’s arena.
Please pay the exact amount in cash.
Q: It all sounds a bit serious.
A: At the pointy end of each age class it can be serious. But there will be hundreds of orienteers attend who won't come within cooee of a badge - they'll be there for the awesome terrain, the great company, and the break from the daily grind.
Q: I'm worried the courses will be too difficult for me.
A: A good question, and one often asked by members who don't venture much beyond their club events. Orienteering courses are set according to very clear criteria, and it's no different the higher up the event ladder you go.
If you do Easy or Moderate courses at your club, you can expect the same level of difficulty at Easter.
And if you are relatively new to Hard courses, you can always choose a shorter course length (known as AS classes).
Q: Do I have to enter the same age class at each event?
A: No, you can enter whichever classes you are allowed in. Eg Ian is 56 years old and loves orienteering but is not keen on the longer distances. He could enter M55A for the Sprints and the shorter M55AS for the bush events. If you have a profile in Eventor, the entry process will offer a dropdown menu of the courses you may enter for each event. Masters-aged athletes (35+) may run 'down' age classes. Eg Ian could choose to do M35AS or M45A.
Q: That all sounds ok, but what's so special about these areas?
A: Major carnivals typically use the best maps/terrains in the area. For example,
OA president Blair Trewin rates
Gumble Pinnacles as “one of the best areas in Australia that has never been used for a major championship”.
Likewise, the 'Seldom Seen' map at Eugowra – the home of the 2004 Australian Championships - presents a real orienteering challenge that will test your orienteering skills in complex granite terrain.
Q: Is there anything for very small children?
A: Yes - the
MiniKnat is
a string course where participants use real maps and punch real controls. Their MK courses will feature a maze to really get their brains working.
Q: Is there anything to do after my run?
A: Yes. Orange is a food and wine haven. Check out the
local tourism website for more info.
Q: What on earth is the Sledge class?
A: lt's all about fun and banter. Previously known as M21AS, it has now been officially rebadged to Sledge - reflecting that any age, gender and, to a degree, any skill level can run it and not feel outclassed.
The main purpose of Sledge is to bring together the has-beens, the wannabes and the never-will-bes into a single class where good-natured sledging (bantering) and fun is encouraged. There are daily presentations of Tour de France-style boxer shorts for the overall leader, fastest sprint finish, biggest mistake and more. We also have an annual group photo in front of the portaloos.
If you haven’t entered the 3 Days yet, or you have already entered in a different class, then it’s not too late to make the switch to Sledge.
Everyone is welcome to join the dedicated Facebook page here.
2021 is the 20th anniversary of Sledge so let’s make it a memorable one. In 2002 we had 91 entrants in Sledge!
Together we can make Sledge great again.
Q: Can you spare a little bit of time at an event to help the organisers?
A: They are looking for people to assist with first aid, parking, picking up controls after your run, packing up the assembly, and on the registration desk. You'll have time to have your run as well.
And here is a unique opportunity: they are looking for 2 video operators to man cameras each day. Email Ron Pallas if you can help.
