DNC Update Dec 2012
The first four races of the “Deeside Night Cup” have now taken place and the series takes a break until January. After 4 races Jon Musgrave is leading the league overall, but with 8 races from 12 to count he must feel threatened by youngster Josh Dudley and there is still plenty of time for other competitors to show their form too. Ross McMurtrie is looking like a strong contender for the Mini Cup, but could be pushed all the way by several other competitors.
The first four races of the Deeside Night Cup have now taken place and the series takes a break until January. The series got off to a strong start at Tilquhillie with a record attendance of 46 people and a highly competitive field on both the long Cup and shorter Mini Cup courses. The forest was tough going with brash and undergrowth but technically interesting challenges had been set by course planner Keith Roberts. On both courses youth won out over experience, with Josh Dudley and Callum Roberts (both M18) leading the way ahead of veteran Dan Gooch (M40) (all Maroc) on the long course and Ross McMurtrie (M14, Maroc) leading from Pete Lawrence (M45, Gramp) and Chris Low (M50, Maroc) on the mini cup course. Jenny Ricketts (W16), Evelyn Mason (W16) and Frances Wright (W18) (all Maroc) were the leading ladies, closely packed behind the first 3 on the Mini Cup course.
The action moved to snow covered sand dunes at Balmedie for the second race the following week. Travel difficulties meant that numbers attending were poorer, but the competition on the long Cup course was equally as strong. The dunes took on a whole new character when covered in snow and a number of competitors found themselves making costly navigational errors. Visiting elite athlete Alasdair Mcleod (M21, Edinburgh University) denied Josh Dudley (M18, Maroc) a second consecutive win whilst youngster Sasha Chepelin (M16, Gramp) finished in 3rd place. The Mini Cup course was won convincingly by Pete Lawrence (M45, Gramp).
The following week's race was held at Birsemore Hill, by Aboyne, one of Deeside’s most technically and physically challenging areas for orienteering. A mix of complex contour and rock detail and some big steep slopes means that competitors have to keep mentally focussed whilst moving as fast as possible through difficult underfoot conditions. The course planner had designed courses to start high up the Fungle path which gave good access to the best of the area and reduced the climb in the race itself. This time around experience won the day over youth with veteran Jon Musgrave (M50, Maroc) a clear winner on the long course ahead of Dan Gooch (M40, Maroc) 2nd and with first lady Sarah Dunn (W40, Maroc) taking 3rd place overall. The Mini Cup course was won by Evelyn Mason (W16, Maroc) ahead of Ewen Kerridge (M16, Maroc) and Richard Oxlade (M50, Gramp).
The final pre Christmas race took place at Tyrebagger on the edge of Aberdeen. In addition to the usual long and Mini Cup courses the planners had set a shorter technically easier course to give the opportunity for newcomers and younger juniors to give night orienteering a try. This course was won by Keith Yardley (M12, Gramp) with Ewan Musgrave (M8, Maroc) finishing second. The long course at Tyrebagger made excellent technical use of the area, looping twice round the forest and more detailed open hillside, with a number of control points quite close together to catch out the unwary. Jon Musgrave scored his second victory of the series catching time on Frode Nebell (M35, Maroc) near the end of the course whilst Josh Dudley gained more good points in the league by finishing 3rd. Ross McMurtrie also logged his second victory on the Mini Cup course winning by a clear 6 minutes from John Laing (M45, Gramp). Youngster Abigail Mason (W14, Maroc) finished as first lady in a strong 4th position.
After 4 races Jon Musgrave is leading the league overall, but with 8 races from 12 to count he must feel threatened by youngster Josh Dudley and there is still plenty of time for other competitors to show their form too. Ross McMurtrie is looking like a strong contender for the Mini Cup, but could be pushed all the way by several other competitors.