Orienteering News 25th Feb 2011 (as supplied to Deeside Piper)

The Deeside Piper regularly publishes news of MAROCs activities. Sarah Dunn wrote the latest update..

23rd Feb 11

Over 150 people took part in Mar Orienteering Club’s first district event of 2011, held in Bogendreip Forest near Strachan last Sunday. Courses were on offer for all, from children under 10 through elite athletes to the more mature, and the course planner Trevor Ricketts succeeded in making excellent use of the most interesting parts of the terrain. For the more technical courses this involved a mix of fast running through open forest, some cold bog crossings and some tough climbs up the hillside. Although the morning stayed mostly dry, the conditions were raw and it was important to keep moving fast to stay warm. The longest course of 7.5km was won in under 49’ by Edinburgh University elite athlete Oleg Chepelin (formerly from Aberdeen), a clear 9’ ahead of 2nd placed Drew Tivendale (Maroc) with veteran Jon Musgrave (also Maroc) a further minute behind. Oleg’s younger brother, 14-year old Sasha Chepelin (Grampian), made it a family double by winning the 5.8km course also with a convincing margin of 5’, ahead of Calum McLeod (also Grampian). The intermediate course of 3.3km also had a clear winner in 12 year-old Ewan McMillan, 6’ ahead of clubmates Ross McMurtrie and Abigail Mason. The shorter junior courses were all won by members of Maroc with Calum Bowie 1st on the 1.5km course, Alistair Chapman 1st on the 2.3km course and older brother Jake Chapman 1st on the 3.0km.


On Wednesday evenings the Deeside Night Cup has been continuing with recent events at Tyrebagger, outside Aberdeen, and Coull Forest near Aboyne. The race at Coull, organised by Drew Tivendale and Andy Oliver, provided an especially technical challenge and was won by Joe Taunton, a visiting athlete from North Gloucestershire. Maroc’s Finlay Langan was 2nd and Roger Coombs 3rd. The first three places on the short course were taken by Grampian orienteers Sasha Chepelin, Calum McLeod and Sam Gomersall respectively.


The Deeside Night Cup league has now reached its culmination with the final event being held on Wed 23rd Feb at Scolty Woods. With 8 out of the 12 races counting towards overall positions, the final results will remain undecided until the last race. Dan Gooch, who has only managed to attend 7 races, hasn’t gained quite enough points to take the lead from Jon Musgrave, and Finlay Langan could still take the victory if he scores well in the final race. Roger Coombs will also be fighting for the minor placings. In the Mini Night Cup, run over the shorter courses, 16-year old Rhona McMillan has a lead going into the last race that looks strong, although she could still be beaten by John Mason. The series has survived all sorts of challenging weather conditions and has once again been the highlight of the week through the winter for regular competitors."
 

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