Dio team numbers were severely reduced by injury and illness. Nonetheless, the 16 orienteers left standing approached the competition enthusiastically. Unlike a standard orienteering competition, where everyone follows a set course, in a Rogaine, competitors are given a map with all the controls and have a set amount of time to visit as many as they can. Thus, in addition to the usual skills of navigation and speed, planning and strategy are required. More difficult controls are worth more points, so competitors need to make strategic decisions first, and then execute them in the terrain.
With only 15 minutes to plan and 90 minutes to cover up to 13km on steep and complex terrain, the potential for mistakes is enormous. As competitors lose 20 points per part minute over the deadline, one of the big decisions is ensuring that your timing is spot on.
For Cerys Findlow (Year 11), running in Intermediate Girls Individual, playing it safe and returning a few minutes early paid off, as others returned late, losing points and ceding the gold medal to Cerys.
Overall our intermediate girls did well, all gaining top 10 placings.
- Cerys Findlow – Intermediate Girls Individual – 1st
- Mila Walsh – Intermediate Girls Individual – 6th
- Ada Findlow and Charlotte Dalziel – Intermediate Girls Team – 10th
Our younger competitors gained important experience in the complex demands of regaining and will bring that new knowledge to next year’s competition.
