The series of 5 sprint events was run in Adelaide over the long weekend, forming a training event for the elite orienteers from SA and interstate as well as lots of fun for other local orienteers. We even had 2 overseas entrants – orienteers from Macau – Jenny Kam (currently studying at Uni SA) and Kong Chak Lon.

The event was conceived by Bridget Anderson and Jim Russell, the OA Head Coach, who also ran all the SI each day,

The events were

Friday 25^th – night event on the Belair Golf Course part of Belair NP. This proved challenging for many, being certain which fairway or which group of trees you were in at night. Course planner – Adrian Uppill

Saturday 26^th – AM – elites ran a time trial on the North Adelaide University loop, fastest was Martin Dent, who has previously represent Australia in athletics and cross country, and more recently focussed on orienteering

Saturday 26^th – PM – Heathfield – the sprint map of the high school has been extended into Woorabinda by Olly Williams, who also planned the courses. The combination of bush and urban proved challenging

Sunday 27^th – AM – Flinders University South – here the elites ran heats, followed by a semi-final mass start knockout on courses with looping. This decided the final for the evening’s event. Others ran a normal course (Medium and Short). Locals Simon Uppill, Dante Afnan and Bridget Anderson made the A final. Courses by Patrick Jaffe and Jim Russell

Sunday 27^th – PM – Flinders University North – the elite A finals were mass starts on a course with no looping. A bunch of 6 men with Martin Dent leading ran past the finish, however a decisive route choice by Simon Uppill on the 2^nd last control gave him the overall win. Courses by Jenny Casanova

Monday 28^th – AM – the final event was at Mt Barker – with courses by Jim Russell. Presentations to the overall winners (best 4 of 5 races) were given with successful SA Orienteers being

Open Men – Simon Uppill
Medium Men – Max Grivell, just ahead of Steve Cooper
Medium Women – Zara Soden
Short- Jan Hillyard

All results are here – day by day and overall results (only show those who ran all 5 races).

Max Grivell at the start - Flinders Uni AM

Simon Uppill looks for following runners in the knockout final

Last part of the course knockout sprint - Simon took the left route to control 14.
Many others went right - giving stairs and a long In-Out to the control

Jan Hillyard, Bridget Anderson and Jim Russell at the presentation at Mt Barker

Late News: A reminder that pre entry closes at midnight on Tues 22nd January. Enter on the day is possible for the medium and short courses but pre entry is preferred.

Over the Australia Day long weekend in late January, Adelaide is the focus for sprint orienteering – Sprint Adelaide.

Four days and five sprint races in detailed urban and forest terrain open to all competitors. The event is being organized by the national orienteering squads as part of a training camp in Adelaide.
Come and compete against Australia’s best or simply enjoy some fun summer holiday orienteering.

• Course 1, Long, Hard Nav, aimed at the Elite Orienteer
  • 2 Individual Sprint races
  • 1 Night race
  • 1 Knock out sprint race
  • 1 3k track time trial
• Course 2, Medium, Hard Nav, nearly as long as long, for all other who want a challenge
  • 4 Individual Sprint races
  • 1 Night race
• Course 3, Short, Moderate Nav, for all other competitors
  • 4 Individual Sprint races
  • 1 Night race

Events are

Friday 25 Jan – Night Race – Belair Golf Course and NP
Saturday26 Jan AM- 3 km Time trial for those entering Course 1 only
Saturday 26 Jan PM – Sprint Event, Heathfield – sprint map has been extended
Sunday 27 Jan AM – Knockout Sprint preliminaries for those entering Course 1, Sprint race for others, Flinders University

Sunday 27 Jan – PM - Knockout Sprint Finals for those entering Course 1, Sprint race for others, Flinders University 
Monday 28 Jan – Sprint Race, Mt Barker

Best 4 of 5 events to count

If you want to enter ALL 5 races https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/7566 or enter each individually at the links for each event