Participants at the meeting heard that the federation has fairly modest financial means but that former NZOF Coaching Director Michael Wood is interested in helping with a squad. It would operate mainly by pairing bikers and orienteers who lived close together, and by email. There may or may not be any funding for physically getting together, and funding for the championships themselves will be small.
Although MTBO is very young in NZ, there are several reasons why New Zealand might be competitive in these championships. MTBO is fairly new everywhere, and there are only a few really strong countries. Even when held in Europe we can expect fewer countries to take part than is the case for foot-orienteering. And the championships will be close to us and distant from many other countries.
Under current rules NZ can enter up to 6 men and 6 women, and NZOF selection policy is to set a certain standard as well. There are no age-group world championships, but non-championship events for riders including juniors and veterans will probably be held in conjunction.
Expressions of interest are sought from both orienteers and mountain-bikers wishing to work towards selection in a NZ team for 2004. We think that we have a better chance of teaching bikers about navigation than making faster riders out of orienteers, so bikers are especially sought. We'll want you to join an orienteering club, but costs are very much lower than affiliating to the UCI.
There is no application form. Just write to: Michael Wood or phone him at 04 566 2645.
This page written by Michael Wood and installed 20 Nov 02