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O-Max 2007 Results Link here to Series Points.
Event SIX Thunderball Adventure Park, 13 Dec 07
After split loops in the jungle maze and the rubber dunes, and a common loop outside the paintball area, Piret Klade was 30m behind Lizzie Ingham entering the steel boulder-field. Within sight of the finish runners had to visit the 6 controls (easily seen but positions not marked on the map) and punch in the square according to the control code. So it was possible to catch and even the series, but Lizzie was cleanest, and took the womens title.
Likewise Bryn Davies (2005 winner) was one point down on Ross Morrison (top in 2006) and a win would see them share the prize pool of nearly $150. And Bryn was ahead of Ross at the same stage, and beat him into the finish by two seconds! However by then the race was over. Three-time former winner Bill Edwards had cleaned up the field! Eligible for the vets class the father of three had won by over a quarter of a minute. Though troubled by injury earlier in the series, by pushing Davies down a point he closed off the Red Kiwi's chance of equalising. The other major battle was brewing in the vets where Mick Finn had a chance of catching John Robertson. But it was not to be, the NZ Orienteering editor coming in 48sec down on the OHV president. In fact Dave King was between them leaving Finn third. Laura Robertson made sure of the girls, and Tim had already sewn up the boys. The tenth O-Max series broke the previous best attendance by 15%.
O-Max Course
Event FIVE Massey Campus/Wgtn High, 5 Dec 07Ross Morrison showed his class tonight with a 3-minute win over Bryn Davies in the concrete jungle. Lizzie Ingham was also outstanding in third place outright.It IS a jungle out there, with many of the high school buildings connected together by impassable arms; the Massey end having a myriad of tiny gaps including "the corkscrew" between controls H and I; and only the former Dominion Museum end being at all regular with "left-or-right" choices. Runners mused afterwards, "wouldn't it be great if we could have the high school doors open!" The HS blocks also have multiple levels with downstairs opening onto Taranaki St and upper levels opening onto the quad. From his win in the 3-loop micr-o Morrison is virtually assured of the series win, though Davies could split the spoils with a last-ditch win at the final next week. The mens prize pool is heading for $150. With Piret Klade on the sideline tonight Lizzie Ingham lept ahead, but she isn't yet secure. Klade could force her to share almost $100 with a win, provided Ingham was second; any further down and the former Estonian JWOC rep could come out on top. Tim and Laura Robertson have sewn up the school categories, and their father John edged further ahead in the vets with a 9-second win over Mick Finn. The final next week will be at Thunderball Adventure Games - with its bush labyrinth, and fields of look-alike drums and tire walls. O-Max Course Splits here.
Event FOUR: Hikoikoi Reserve, 27 Nov 07Course lengths trimmed a little produced winning times in the IOF sprint range of 12-15min tonight. Kate Rea designed a double micr-o layout - two pivots with two loops each, plus 4/7 any-order, any-time controls. One of the latter being waist-deep in surf!Bryn Davies scored another win over Ross Morrison, which will create a tough battle in the remaining two rounds; and Piret Klade capitalised on Lizzie Ingham's absence to move within striking distance. A missing control impacted some of the early runners. Those affected are shown with asterisked times, and need an adjustment to their points. This will be done before next week rather than trying a hasty fix. if you were affected and don't yet have an asterisk. The next round will be in the urban jungle of Wgtn High/Massey Campus, with the final in the actual jungle of Thunderball Adventure Games. O-Max Course
Long Lemon Course, 2.3km
Short Lemon Course, 1.3km
Event THREE: Whitby Town Centre, 22 Nov 07Runners in tonight's O-Max at Whitby faced an additional task. Besides four loops from the pivot by the lake, they had to punch one of two controls labelled "Y" and one of two "Z"s. Many were well into their loops before they got to figure out which and when! Ross Morrison and Lizzie Ingham were the fastest in another large field, and lead at the series halfway point.Electronic punching was used for the start, finish and pivot control allowing loop times to be recorded: see here. O-Max Course
Lemon Course
Event TWO: Silverstream Retreat 14 Nov 07Would you believe another record entry - and after a day of gale force winds! In fact the winds died down right on cue as participants were set off four by four on Tony van Dyk's course at Silverstream Retreat. Constrained by the need to cross under a busy road, the course was nevertheless similar to last week - a two-loop micr-o on the Hutt riverbank followed by common third loop through the buildings (ancient and modern) of the retreat. This offered significant route choice so it wasn't just follow the leader, even for those groups which were closely matched.Bryn Davies got Ross Morrison by nearly half a minute so the two of them now share the lead. Piret Klade's friend Liis Johanson from Estonia beat her by just 5 seconds - is she staying for the rest of the series? Mick Finn ran early to do child-minding duty so his time was initially overlooked when the "fast vets heat" finished later on; but he had beaten John Robertson by 4 seconds. Tim Robertson was the fastest boy as usual, and with Laura unofficial through having set the beginner courses it was time for Jula McMillan to have a win. O-Max Course
Yellow Course There was one, results missing sorry. Guess 6 people Course planner assisted by Jason van Dyk; beginner courses by Laura Robertson. Access by kind permission of Silverstream Retreat. Event ONE: Churton Park 6 Nov 07A record entry kicked off the 2007 O-Max series at Churton Park last night. At the front were the usual suspects led by last year's winner Ross Morrison, but schoolboy Tim Robertson was right up there in 6th place. Father John led the vets 12 seconds later, Piret Klade the women and Laura Robertson the girls.JWOC rep Lizzie Ingham planned a classic two-loop micr-O course based on Churton Park (the park) but using nearby streets. The final common loop included the maze-like CP School and finished with a steep uphill that had runners gasping. O-Max Course
Course planner Lizzie Ingham |
