Sprints are big news in 2024, and we kicked off with a bang!  We’ve been fortunate enough to have Monash entrust us with their amazing Learning and Teaching Building (LTB) – and we used it to full advantage, with controls located on each of its four levels.  This was a rare and unique opportunity to orienteer in an outstanding multi-level indoor environment.  It was mad, manic, magical and magnificent!  We might even do it again next year …

How it worked: it was a 2 person, 4 leg relay, with each person getting to run twice.  Runner 1 completed the first Outdoor leg; runner 2 completed the first Indoor leg; runner 1 completed the second Indoor leg; runner 2 completed the second Outdoor leg.  There was a map flip, pivot controls, and relay variations, as well as an A4, 1:4000 map for Outdoors, and an A3, 1:1000 map for Indoors.

Photos (thanks Frankie!)

Maps

Results

Thanks to course planner extraordinaire, James Love; and to the DROC crew who once again provided another top DROC event!

Congratulations to the following club members who finished 2023 in the National Rankings. Points were earned for placings at the Oceania Championships, Australian Championships, and Australian 3-Days.

• Janine Steer
• Peter Dalwood
• Simon Rouse
• Lanita Steer (National League)

The 2023 Victorian Sprint Championships, hosted by Yarra Valley Orienteering Club, were held on November 26 at Whitefriars College, Donvale.  The map was first used for the Knockout Sprint Final of the 2022 Melbourne Sprint Weekend.  Set on a considerable slope, with many oddly angled buildings compressed into a small space, the map is a nicely challenging sprint venue.  DROC had a strong contingent taking part, and we certainly looked impressively colourful in our new race shirts, gathered under our new club flag.

After competing in the Championship races, many of us had another go in the fast and furious Mad Dash, which was heaps of fun with its small group mass starts and head to head racing.

Here are our winners and placegetters – congratulations!

• First Place and Victorian Champion:  Janine Steer
• Second Place:  Asha Steer
• Third Place:  Pamela King, Debbie Dodd, Sally Barlow, Helen Walpole, Ian Davies

Visit our GALLERY for some photos.

Melbourne City Racers were joined by internationals from New Zealand and Canada, and interstaters from NSW, SA, QLD and ACT.  And for some, it was their first ever orienteering race.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and the waterside arena was a picture, as we all decided which yachts we’d like to sail away on.

Course planners Peter and Ilze Yeates made fantastic use of the multiple levels of The District and other places with stairs – but my favourite controls were the larger-than-life elephant’s trunk emerging from the concrete, and the upside down cow tangled in tree branches!  Sprinting along the final Promenade was pretty cool too, and the spot prizes were also a hit!

We hope everyone enjoyed this year’s edition of the Race.  There were certainly some close finishes.  Results and split times are on Eventor, and you can add your route to Livelox: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/18436

You can view the maps here

Head to our GALLERY to see DROC members in action.   And you’ll find even more top shots here – thanks to our roving photographers Frankie and Damian.

The 4^th Melbourne City Race took us back to where it all began, at Docklands.  We had a brand new start location in the north of the map, which meant everyone was able to tackle the multi-level mayhem of The District, and explore New Quay, Waterfront City, Marvel Stadium and Victoria Harbour.   Adventure abounded, with a newly updated map, and a choice of five courses from 3 – 10 km in length.

The 2024 Melbourne City Race will take place on Sunday November 17.  As in previous editions, you’ll use a full colour, highly detailed map to navigate your way around your course.  Sportident controls will be in Air mode for rapid racing.

Find out more: www.melbournecityrace.com.au

Check out the highlights video from the first MCR at Docklands

So what’s a Summer Short?  A new series of short distance, fast-paced, family friendly orienteering events, held on Sunday mornings in October and November.  Think of them as long sprints (rather than short bush) – lots of controls, varied leg lengths, route choices, and many changes of direction.  Winning times are approx 20-25 minutes; most people can expect to complete their course in 30-40 minutes.  Find out more about Summer Shorts – click here

Here’s what we offered:

DROC had a great weekend at the recent Victorian Orienteering Champs.  The Middle Distance and Long Distance events were held at Mt Alexander, near Harcourt.  The map features (a lot of) granite, and some seriously steep slopes, which really tested the mettle of those on longer courses.  The areas closer to the arena are more open and with fewer contours; ideal for shorter courses.   The weather was perfect, and it was beautiful to be out in the forest with the sun shining.

At the end of the weekend, DROC had several new Victorian Champions, and more podium placegetters!  Congratulations to:

Vic Middle Distance Champs:

• 1st Place – Pamela King, Matthew Maunder
• 2nd Place – Elijah Spencer, Helen Walpole, Chris Klep, Damian Spencer
• 3rd Place – Lanita Steer, Peter Dalwood

Vic Long Distance Champs:

• 1st Place – Pamela King, Chris Klep, Simon Rouse
• 2nd Place – Elijah Spencer, Ian Davies, Ray Scaddan
• 3rd Place – Damian Spencer, Debbie Dodd

Have you seen our fantastic new club tops and jackets?  We’ve also refreshed our flag, and you’ll see our amazing new tent wall at the Summer Shorts in October!

Check out the GALLERY for more photos.

We have our first EndurO for 2023 coming up on Saturday July 22, at Bellbird Dell in Vermont.  It’s a 40 control Score course, with a 120 minute option for Runners and Power Walkers, or a shorter 90 minute Run option. Start between 1.30pm and 2.00pm.  Double the map; double the points; double the time; double the fun – but the price remains just $5! Start location is the Vermont South Community Centre, Livingstone Road.  Bring your phone to use MapRun.

Enquiries: droc@iinet.net.au, or 0409 135 020.

Two great bush orienteering events on the same weekend, and really close to Melbourne! Come along to both, and enjoy the competition, the outdoor environment and Victoria’s great orienteering terrain. Everyone is welcome. Courses are available to suit all abilities from beginner to experienced. Coaching, assistance and gear is available to newcomers.

• Vic Series (Bush) event 4, Saturday June 10 – Granite Hills, South Morang (starts between 12.30 – 2.00pm; courses close 3pm) – click here for information and online entry
• Vic Series (Bush) event 5, Sunday June 11 – Gellibrand Hill, Greenvale (starts between 10.00am – 12.00 noon; courses close 2pm) – click here for information and online entry

The Granite Hills map is compact but has it all: giant boulders, detailed quarry workings, beautiful open forest and stunning views of the Melbourne CBD.  The Gellibrand Hill map is fast and fun: open forest, grassy slopes, and scattered rocks on flat to undulating terrain.  There will be a mid-course map flip to mix things up, with a change of map scale to keep you on your toes

Please pre-enter online to ensure you get a map on the day.  Entries close for both events at 11.59 pm Wednesday 7th June. There will be entry on the day while (limited) map stocks last.  All pre-entered competitors go into our random prize draw on Sunday!

Catering (toasties, cakes and cans of soft drink) will be provided by the Victorian Junior Squad, as a fundraiser. We’ll have TV screens and Live Results to add to the atmosphere.  Bring your club tents and flags, and add colour and excitement to this great weekend!

Saturday’s event is brought to you by Melbourne Forest Racers, and Sunday’s event is hosted by DANDENONG RANGES ORIENTEERING CLUB.

DROC has made the 2023 Lyrebird Award to the most outstanding Victorian junior girl, Sophie Taverna. Sophie will use the award to assist with her travel to JWOC in Romania in July, where she is first reserve for the Australian team.  Sophie is not only a top junior elite, but she contributes to orienteering on a number of levels, from mapping, to course setting, to organising.  DROC congratulates Sophie and wishes her every success with her orienteering and travelling.