Plans to Expand MTBO Series

Six Events Plus Area Champs

Keen MTB-orienteers meeting earlier this week mapped out plans to expand the Wellington series to six events in 2004, plus a regional championship. The ambitious programme is dependant on finding a number of new areas, but those at the meeting were optimistic this could be done.

The group has chosen the third Saturday of each month with the first three series events running from March to May. One of the three is likely to be a "double day" at Waitarere Forest, with a short-distance event first up to offer experience with this format which is part of the World Champs, followed by medium-length courses, perhaps as a relay.

A regional championship is planned for June, in the hope it can be offered as a trial for selection of a NZ team for the World Champs in October. To make a level playing field (ahem!) one of the new areas would be used. Three further series events would run in July to September.

These dates have been chosen to avoid major MTB and runny-orienteering events as far as possible, since MTBO attracts people from both sides. Orienteering Hutt Valley Programme Coordinator Michael Wood would appreciate advice of any clashes which you may see. He is also the MTBO webmaster, and is keen to fill up the calendar with events in other areas.

The proposed Wellington dates are:


This page was written by Michael Wood and installed on 5 Dec 03.