Hi everyone!

Well the hectic EU event organising has been put on hold for a few months!

1 Maryborough MTBO Weekend. After the very successful Victorian MTBO Sprint and Middle Distance events (Saturday 28 April), time to reflect on what was a fine weekend of riding the complex track network in and around sunny Maryborough. Thanks again to our Event Advisor Jonathan Sutcliffe (BK) who kept us on schedule and helped deliver two excellent events and Roch Prendergast who printed the complex maps in very readable form. New innovations included a ‘map flip’ 2/3 around both sprint and middle distance courses; the use of 1: 5000 scale to show the complexity of “Bristol Hill” thanks to the 2-day effort of Andrew Slattery (SA); great cooperation from the “Maryborough Advertiser” who ran two large articles on the events (copies on EU webpage); using the town as the focus for between-race and after race celebrations; having the results streamed live on the internet thanks to Ian C; good assistance from EU club members and Nillumbik helpers Robyn Sunderland and Gil King. Despite the lower-than-expected numbers (71 for the sprint, 80 for the middle) Eureka paid for the new sprint map and still made a profit on the day. Sunday’s long-distance event at Sandon was again blessed with great weather – and with the welcome addition of 7 Braemar students to the competitor list – scored 104 riders. Great courses + excellent maps + great spirit from the interstate visitors (many from NSW) = a weekend we will remember with pride. On the results side, Dale Ann Gordon (W70-), three 1st , Declan Dickson (M-14), 1st in the Long distance, Tony Keeble (M40-) 2nd in Middle and Long, Monica Dickson (W40-) two 3rd in Sprint and Middle and 5th in Long made brought a smile to the organisers (Mark and Blake) faces. We have more mtb riders in the club – get out there and fly the flag in the state series events this autumn and winter.

2 Three Amigos Back. With the imminent return of the Lawfords from Canberra (moving always takes longer than you plan), and last weekend’s return of the junior Norwoods (Chris and Glenda) from their British experience – we now have Geoff, Chris and Roch ‘back in harness’ as three of the best M55- going around in AUS.

3 Aislinn’s Wonderful Weekend in Newcastle, NSW. Terrific results – after a poor start in the Sprint – saw Aislinn stamp her authority on the Middle (3rd W21-E) and 2nd in the testing Long Distance NOL events/ WOC Selection Trials in the Newcastle area . The selectors have now to pick the team for Switzerland this week – but my money would be on Aislinn to claim AUS spots in at least two events (of 4 events staged at WOC – sprint, middle, long and relay) at the World Championships in Lausanne July 14-21. Last year she just missed the Long Distance final in France after a tough run in the qualification race in terrain described as “very thick and nasty”. Fingers crossed – but a hearty “well done” from the club on your efforts Aislinn.

4 Sweets Trailer Finds a Home. After successfully handing the baton of the cake stall on to Melbourne Forest’s Nicola Dalheim late last year, Tom and Lesley still had the club’s trailer in their side yard in Buninyong. Solution – the returning Lawfords will house the “no longer sweets’ trailer at the end of Swinglers Road until the club decides whether it continues to be required for EU events.

5 Encouraging Word from Sweden. Geoff Lawford has been watching the Malung OK (one of the top Swedish O Clubs) website – and has encouraging news about son Ian’s progress in the busy world of o-ing in Scandinavia. Perhaps we can get Geoff and Jenny to write up a bit – give us a website and translation – for the next news. So stay tuned – Ian is on his gap year and will be representing AUS (and Eureka!) at JWOC in Slovakia from July 7-14. Coach Roch will be watching his progress.

6 Ballarat Secondary College Starts O-ing. Tanya Beacham will be bringing 14 Yr 9 students to Lake Esmond, and Canadian Forest over the next few Fridays from 1.30 to 2.50 pm. If you want a run at that time, contact Blake or Roch.

7 Unfortunate Break for Bice. Heather Bice fell at Mt Tarrengower on last Saturday and cracked her left radius (lower arm bone) in 2 places – requiring a plate while it mends. Heather’s advice – if you have to fall, DON’T fall on granite – try soil instead.

That’s it for the time being, hope to see you at the weekend’s 2 events (mtbo Saturday, foot-o Sunday) near Castlemaine (check the VOA news).

Cheers

Blake