Women Regain Lead in SILVA National League

Monday, 20 April 2009

The SILVA National Orienteering League continued in northern Tasmania over the weekend, with the ASC Galaxy Sprint and the Buttongrass Challenge making up races 8 and 9 of this year's series. 

Ewels, Allston and Neve on the podium at the ASC Galaxy Sprint

Another glorious Tasmanian autumn day had smiles on the competitors faces at the 2009 ASC Galaxy Sprint. Launceston's University of Tasmania campus was a great location for the 8th race in the SILVA National Orienteering League. The complex building layout made route choice crucial, with many runners being caught out when their legs carried them quicker than their brains could point them in the right direction.

Saturday was a great day for Victoria with four runners on the podium.  Kathryn Ewels (CH) almost caused the upset of the day, just falling 11 seconds behind former World Sprint Distance Champion, Hanny Allston.  Jasmine Neve (MF) also put in a strong run to take third. 

Max Neve

Max Neve (MF) continues to improve and was just five seconds away from the win in the junior elite category, showing that he will be a strong prospect at JWOC in Italy in July.  Aislinn Prendergast (EU) also made the podium in the juniors with Mary Fleming's (CH) 4th her best result at this level.

ASC Galaxy Sprint	Placings
	Split Times
	Map

Aislinn Prendergast

On Sunday, Allston again dominated the elite women's race, but Ewels was once again clearly second best. Prendergast improved on Saturday's performance with a second in junior elite.  It was tough going through the swamps and granite hills of St Helens, and Victorians Bryan Keely (BG), Evan Barr (BG), Blair Trewin (YV), Jim Russell (BG), Todd Neve (MF), Jasmine Neve, Fleming and Clare Brownridge did well to finish strongly at the end of a marathon week of racing.

Buttongrass Challenge	Placings
	Split Times
	Splitsbrowser

With great runs from Ewels and Neve, backed up by strong support from Prendergast and Brownridge, our women's team was able to regain the lead with two race wins and surge ahead of the Canberra Cockatoos.  The men are also in a tight battle with the Cockatoos for third place, trailing the strong NSW Stingers and Southern Arrows.

The SILVA National Orienteering League continues on May 16 and 17 with 3 races in the ACT.