Southern Cross Series Launch

Monday, 8 February 2010

High performance orienteers from across South East Australia will compete for team glory in  the 2010 Southern Cross Series, starting this weekend in Bendigo.  The competition kicks off with a Sprint Distance race on Saturday evening, followed by a mass start loop race on Sunday morning in the gold mining terrain at Diamond Hill.

The series continues throughout the year, with races designed to prepare orienteers for the SILVA National Orienteering League.  The series promises to provide great opportunities for spectators to see our high performance athletes in action over innovative and technical courses in some of Victoria's best orienteering terrain.

Victoria Country will be hoping to take their first series win, after close finishes in the first two series.  Chris Naunton returns to captain the team, and hopes that the improving talent of Bryan Keely, Evan Barr and James Robertson will help them to victory.  Kathryn Ewels is joined this season by Aislinn Prendergast and Clare Brownridge to form a strong team.

This weekend, competition will come from defending champions, the Interstate Raiders.  Simon Uppill and a strong SA contingent will join Melbourne residents Vanessa Round, Reuben Smith and Kerrin Rattray who are returning from injury.  Captain Paul Liggins appears to be out of the opening round as he recovers slowly from a back injury. 

Victoria Metro is also strengthened with Max Neve joining the experienced team of Bruce Arthur, Blair Trewin, Matthew Schepisi and team captain, Simon Goddard.  Metro could suffer in this weekend with the absence of Jasmine Neve and Natasha Key, but are hoping that Rebekah and Jasmine Sunley can take some points in the junior women class.

New for 2010, a Run of the Round award will be presented at the completion of each race.  This will be voted on by the team captains, rewarding those who perform above expectations in each race - not necessarily the winner.

Entries for races 1 and 2 are still open, but close TODAY at  http://entries.bendigo-orienteers.com.au/

Check the Orienteering Victoria webpage for news and results throughout the sesaon.