| Orienteering Superseries: Prospects for 2006 | |
| PO Box 121032, Auckland, NZ Ph (021) 606 535 | |
A rest after peaking for a major event is good practice, and top NZ male Chris Forne
"rested" by doing an adventure race in France! Missing Round 1, he'll take the start
in Round 2 in his home terrain of Canterbury. Day 2 at Dalethorpe will be very familiar
to him as it has been quite well-used, but Day 1 is on a brand-new map on coastal
sand-dunes at Woodend. This is the greatest chance for any of the others to gain a rare
win over him; the possibilties would include Karl Dravitzki, Jamie Stewart and
the experienced Rob Jessop. The other male with the ability to handle difficult maps
with aplomb is Darren Ashmore, but he won't be there.
Outsiders? Of course, Bryn Davies showed that at Huriwai, and he is travelling south. Michael Smithson lives not far from the map and will have a general knowledge of the area from before it was embargoed. Ross Morrison could surprise, especially as the area isn't large enough for a 105min M21E wintime.
The small womens class will see Penny Kane open her batting and with the possible
exception of visiting Swede Asa Pahlen is the favourite; but she won't be able to
catch Tania Robinson as there are only two events in this round. Lara Prince got useful
points on the board at Auckland and will temporarily take the series lead until
further events are run and worst events are discounted. Changes to the series rules
means that Pahlen won't count unless she joins a NZ club.
It's the team contest that is most exciting at this stage of the series. Even without the benefit of Rob Jessop whose transfer has now been completed, Southerly Storm has both numbers and weight. It will more than catch up its 72-point deficit to the leading Northerners. The North Island teams have only 4 runners apiece, where the six best scores are counted. Magic is slightly stronger and may overtake MacNut, but we predict Storm will end the weekend at least 20 points ahead. Still, when the radiata pollen has settled, the spread may be under 40 points. A feasible scenario: Storm 280, Magic 260, MacNut 240.
The entry list has been posted.
With the benefit of hindsight, check out the Prospect Archive.