October review
Robin trophy
October brought a cascade of big events as well as our local offerings. How have QO members been doing?
The month started with the Purbeck Weekend, with about a dozen of us doing the double. On the Saturday best QO performances were Robin 4th on brown and Andy 7th on blue. Navigation was quite tricky on the scrub covered dunes, something quite different to our home turf. Fair to say our people had a better day on the open windy coastal slopes on Sunday with several top 10 runs: On brown Robin was 2nd, just a few seconds off the winner, Finley was 6th. On short green Rosie and Tony were 3rd and 4th, and Dylan 3rd on orange.
The following weekend was the November classic, moved to October for this year only, but keeping its usual branding. This has been held for over 50 years and is a highlight for many orienteers - this year attracting over 600 competitors. The warm up to the main feature was the Chichester Urban Race, with a few QO entries. Notable results were Olly, Robin and Robert, 2nd 3rd and 6th in the Mens Open category. The main event on classic New Forest heathland had 12 QO entries, probably the best runs from Adam and Ollie, 5th & 6th out of 33 in M21, and Sheila 4th out of 19 on W55.
The following weekend, we had the Caddihoe. Rather closer to home, so predictably a greater QO attendance at around 20 each day. Sunday's weather was foul, so well done to the organising team who had a tough day. The format was long distance on day 1, middle distance on day 2, with the trophies going to the best cumulative times. In a field of well over 300 competitors, QO had some good results. Robin won the Caddihoe M21 category (which comes with an enormous trophy, see picture), by winning by a significant margin on day 2. He also becomes South West middle distance champion. Hazel came 4th on W21, with a decent day 2 run, and well done Linda for competing in the W21 class. Rosie was 3rd on W60 and because 1st and 2nd were from outside the area becomes the South West middle distance champion. Roger took 3rd place on M80.
Away from the big weekends BOK managed to squeeze in a local at Warmley and Graham came 3rd out of 30 on green.
In our own competitions we had just the one JOG this month. But it was a lovely autumn day at Cothelstone and with about 30 attendees there was a great buzz around the registration table. With the Powells away, Theo is well ahead in the league standings but otherwise the leagues remain wide open. Best 3 results out of 5 count, and with 2 events to go really anyone could still win this term.
At the end of the month we had our QOFL at Blackborough. Thanks to the 22 QO members who supported that. On brown QO took the first 4 places with Robin winning, then Adam, Ollie and Finlay in that order. Sheila was 2nd on blue, Tony won short green.
The next day 15 from QO travelled to Sarum's SW League race. QO dominated the brown results taking the first 4 spots and 4 other places. Adam won, followed by Ollie, Robin and Will - well done for keeping up with those M21s. Finley and Robert were 9th & 10th respectively, ahead of Mark and Hazel. Sheila was 3rd out of 40 on green, and Sue had a good day taking 2nd place out of 28 on short green.
Away from our area, Finley was part of the South West junior squad that took 3rd place in the Junior Inter Regional Championships, this year in the lake district. They beat the north west on their home turf, only coming behind the powerhouses that are Scotland and Yorkshire. We are lucky that our area has a strong junior team with representation from across the region, so well done to all of them, and to their coaches.
The committee had a meeting and there's a bit of news:
Karen and Steve have volunteered to follow up on the AGM decision to collaborate more closely with Devon, so thanks to them. This is a long term project, so don't expect immediate changes - we'll see where that takes us over the next few months.
Our bank balance is diminishing, so at some stage we'll have to increase our entry fees.
We're actively working on improving our communications both inside the club and outside, so more to follow in due course.
We've decided to postpone our intended QOFL at Ham Hill until next year. The map wasn't ready, and other preparations were also way behind schedule. Although we had a keen planner we had no offers for the organiser role. For events to happen we need people to step forward and volunteer, we can't just leave it to the usual suspects every time.
Finally, and on a brighter note, we're awarding life membership to Mike Crockett in recognition of his outstanding contribution to QO over many years. This will be addressed in a separate article, but for now well done and thank you Mike!