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Post date: Sep 01, 2017 8:53:48 AM
The first event in the CorkO Autumn League saw a crowd of over 60 orienteers converge on Currabinny Wood in Ringaskiddy on Tuesday evening. The evenings are slowing begin to close in so many were eager to take advantage of the few remaining opportunities for evening orienteering in 2017. This was also the first chance for all our Summer League finishers to collect their hard earned league finisher t-shirts. Many of the junior orienteers were very excited to received their t-shirts and donned them immediately. We were also delighted to welcome some visiting orienteers to the event on Tuesday night and we hope you enjoyed your adventure around Currabinny Wood.
It seems many of our Tuesday evening regulars weren't resting up during our orienteering break but were busy travelling to events abroad. Refreshed and experienced from these orienteering escapades many were sporting snazzy new O-tops. The Midleton CBS lads competed at the Scottish 6 day and their colourful new team O-tops certainly stood out at Tuesday's event.
The fine bright evening meant that conditions were ideal for orienteering and the planner set out two testing courses. The Short course was a nice gentle circuit of the wood while the Long course was an altogether more taxing affair. It began with a nice easy run to the first control before the steep climb up to the second control at the elegant octagonal gazebo tea house. There was no time to appreciate the views on this occasion as competitors commenced the fast downhill descent towards control 3 in the runnable forest. From here there was several routes to control four and many participants opted for the most direct approach. The next series of short control legs in the forest proved the most testing on the night. There were lots of orienteers zig-zagging around this area looking for controls 6, 7 and 8. Although all participants did eventually locate them unfortunately some folks stumbled upon them in the wrong order first and lost valuable time retracing their steps.
The remaining legs didn't prove as eventful and took participants to the Giant's Grave before embarking on another fast downhill run to control 11. Participants got to enjoy some of the lovely trails in the wood over the closing legs on the course. One last grueling climb awaited competitors on the route from the last control near the shore line to the finish in the car park. Simon Upton must have had plenty of energy left when it came to this hill as he had the fastest split here and completed the leg in a mere 59 seconds which was 25 seconds faster than anyone else in the field.
Unfortunately, we have some technical issues with two control units on the night which impacted both the Short and Long courses. Thankfully this didn't effect the overall results but apologies to those who wasted precious seconds trying to get these units to beep.
On the 4.1km Long course Agris Kramins made short work of this hilly terrain and powered his way around the course to finish in a time of 32:25. He took the event win with a very comfortable winning margin over his nearest rival. The contest for the runner up honor was a must tighter affair with just 16 seconds differentiating the next two competitors at the finish line. It was Dan McDonnell who won this battle as he completed the course in a time of 34:06. Dermot O'Sullivan took third place in a time of 34:22.
The fastest Lady around Currabinny Wood was Aoife O'Sullivan she punched all 15 controls in a time of 44:50. Runner-up on the night was Elaine Sheridan she finished the course in a time of 49:25. The final podium spot went to Niamh Morrissey who crossed the finish in a time of 52:41.
On the 2.6km Short course it was Elizabeth Murphy who let the field and took the event winners title when she completed the course in a time of 24:40. Hot on Niamh's heels was our Summer League Joint Short Course Champion Chiara Bosonnet. She punched all eleven controls in a time of 24:59. Third place on the Short course went to Billy Caball when he punched the finish in a time of 25:38.
Well done to all who participated. Full individual results with splits and route gadget for those brave enough to share their routes are available at the following link;
http://www.orienteering.ie/result2?oaction=moreResult&id=2993
Huge thanks this week to Conrad Daly for setting out the testing courses. Jean Marsh for assisting with registration, Dave O'Donovan for handling starts and Gerald Duffy for providing refreshments and assisting with control collection.
Next week we head West to the start of the Wild Atlantic Way when we visit James Fort in Kinsale. From previous visits to this location many will recall that this pentagonal Fort with its spear shaped earthen Bastions at the corners is surrounded by open hillside. It will be tough going traversing this hilly terrain but the picturesque views and the opportunity for a post run cool down at the Dock beach will make it all worthwhile. Further information on the location and directions are available here:
www.corko.net/calendar/james-fort
Hope you can join us at this fabulous destination.
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