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The Melbourne Sprint Weekend featured six incredible races, kicking off at Monash Clayton.  The spectacular new building which served as the backdrop set the tone for the race, which as you would expect featured numerous traps for the unwary.  Asha kept her head and claimed her first National League win; Lanita also ran very strongly for third in the senior Elite category – a good start for both as they embark on selection races for Australian teams.  Sarah also raced well in her first NOL race, keeping in touch with the pack and only a couple of minutes down on far more experienced campaigners.  Ian Davies had a great run for 2nd in the hotly contested M60 category, setting up a weekend rivalry which eventually saw him second overall on a countback, and Nick was a comfortable winner on M Open.  Peter Dalwood had the fastest time on M70 but as mapper he was unofficial, however his great form continued all weekend with podium finishes in most races.

The highly complex Caulfield Grammar map gave Asha and Nick their second wins, and Ian and Peter both grabbed second places.  Then it was on to Yarra Valley Grammar for the intensely exciting Relays. Lanita led out the no 1 Victorian team, running flat out to cross the line only one second behind the leading team, setting up a comfortable Victorian win.  In the Juniors, Sarah and Asha helped Victoria to fourth place. In the Individual, Sarah Love had her best result so far with third in W40, while Janine Steer came to the fore at Royal Park, in the head to head race that had everyone dizzy!  The final race at Keilor Downs saw Ian finally grab a well earned victory.

Overall winners and placegetters were Asha Steer and Nick Maddock (1st); Ian Davies, Andras Bogdanovits and Arika Bogdanovits (2nd); Lanita Steer, Peter Dalwood and Ian Dias (3rd).  Check out the Gallery for photos!

Congratulations to Peter Dalwood, Ian Dodd and Phil Torode, all gold medallists and newly crowned Park Street Champions, after the final at the very tricky Valley Lakes event.  Also earning medals were Denise Pike and Damian Spencer (2nd), and Andrew Hester, Ros King and Ilze Yeates (3rd).

DROC is hosting the first of 2018’s Summer 75 MTBO events, at Mt Evelyn, on Saturday January 13.  Discover mountain bike orienteering on an evening bike ride. Explore the new map which will take you along the Aqueduct trail, and tracks and paths along Olinda Creek, on a course planned by Graham Wallis.

Orienteering Australia has announced its 2018 national squads, and we are delighted to announce that Lanita Steer is one of 7 women selected to the top tier High Performance Squad, while Asha Steer has been selected for the Junior Development Squad – two great achievements!

Lanita’s selection to the HP squad comes at the end of only her first year as a Senior, and means that she is under consideration for Australia’s top representative senior teams.  Asha will be eligible for selection to JWOC as well as other national junior teams.

We wish them the best of luck for 2018.

DROC welcomes two new Life Members, following an announcement at the recent Christmas party.  Debbie and Ian Dodd each received the honour of becoming DROC members for life.  Ian and Debbie both thanked the club, with Ian relating the story of how close they came to joining another club:

“At the end of our first summer series, we were approached by Ian Greenwood and asked to join. Enticed by the offer of a “free feast at Christmas”, we said yes.  About two minutes later, John Sheahan asked us to join Bayside, but we had to tell him he was too late!”

Ian and Debbie both joined the committee after about 12 months, with Ian going on to become president, then treasurer, while Debbie took on the jobs of membership secretary, Punchline editor, and events coordinator.

“We’ve loved being DROC members” said Debbie. “This is such a great club to be part of”.

Sprint Champions – Sarah Davies, Martin Steer, Helen Walpole, Peter Grover, Denise Pike, Simon Rouse

Second placegetters – Debbie Dodd, Amber Louw, Sammy Love, Janine Steer

Third placegetters – Ian Davies, Luca Bogdanovits, Arika Bogdanovits, James Love, Sarah Love

DROC hosted a great event at Monash University, on a completely refreshed map by Peter Dalwood.  Pete’s courses were a real test for the brain as well as the legs.  The organising team was led by Pam King – thanks to everyone who pitched in on the day and ensured a great competitor experience – even the rain stayed away during competition time.  Our thanks also to Kathy Liley as event advisor, and to Monash Uni for their permission to use the venue, and their assistance all the way through.  We look forward to returning in March for the Melbourne Sprint weekend – we only used half the new map, so there’s plenty more in store!

Maps and Courses

Congratulations also to our Sprint Into Spring Jersey Winners – Janine Steer won the Sally Pearson Womens Yellow Jersey, after a 6 week topsy turvy competition; and Lanita Steer claimed the Mo Farah Womens Green Jersey.  Lanita was also second in the Yellow Jersey competition, and third in the Polkadot Jersey.  Sarah Davies took home a matching trio of prizes after finishing third in the Yellow, Green and Polkadot jerseys on the Sally Pearson course.

Check the GALLERY for photos.  For all the results, jersey points etc from Sprint Into Spring and the Vic Champs, head to www.parkstreeto.com.au/sprint

DROC hosted the second Sprint Into Spring race on a brand new map at Oxley College in Chirnside Park.  Although small in size, the campus gave us plenty to think about with multiple levels and lots of corners and crevices, requiring constant map contact and directional changes.  With a mid-race map flip, and a hill climb to remember, we were well and truly kept on our toes.  The DROC crew, as always, handled a busy day with calm efficiency, ensuring everyone had a great time.

Check out the Photo Gallery to see DROC members in action at Oxley!

It was a great week up at Bathurst, and the DROC contingent certainly enjoyed themselves.  Highlights were a podium finish for Debbie Dodd in the Australian Middle Distance Champs, 4th place for Lanita Steer in the Australian Sprint Champs (her best elite result to date), representation in the Victorian Nuggets team by Lanita, Asha Steer and Peter Hobbs, and in the Victorian Schools team by Sarah Davies and Amber Louw.

Check all the photos in the Gallery.