Hi all

The busy month of April is rapidly coming to a close for Eureka – and what a finish it promises to be !

1 Macedon Pines (State Series #2) The club was pretty well represented by 14 runners at Macedon and despite shorter than normal courses most found the change to pine forest orienteering interesting – if a bit easy compared with the first two round in the granite of Mt Baw Baw and our own Mt Beckworth. Eureka scored 88 points (only two off our Mt Beckworth total). Our new member Dale Marsh ran two courses and really seems to have the navigation skills on maps that will assure good results in the coming months. A blast from the past – Hayden Lebbink – now living in Macedon was not sure he’d remember how to navigate but (you never forget how to orienteer) ran well to take third in M21A. The Gordons sporting new SI10 cards were second fastest on their courses – was it the new sticks?
Eureka did purchase 10 new SI10 cards for the Ultra Long to assist the elite who needed sticks that would hold 65 controls (the SI10’s hold 131 punches), but due to a sudden rush of interest – the new sticks are selling like hotcakes. Harrison (M-12) and Tony (M40-) Keeble bought 2, Tom Maher (M-14) 1, Declan Dickson (M-16) 1, Gordons 2, Haarsma 1, and Bice 1 – that leaves 2 left for sale @ $60 they are a bargain. First in get the last two – let Blake know by email.

2 2013 Victorian MTBO Championships this weekend in Castlemaine and Nagambie Eureka will be well represented at the Vic MTBO titles this
weekend with 7 riders in each of the three events. Watch for good junior results from Declan (M-16), Harrison (M-12) and Tom (M-14) while
the parents – Monica W40-), Tony (M40- and Michael (M40-) are definite place-getting possibilities. Veterans Anitra and Ken Dowling and Dale
and Blake Gordon should take their share of the podium positions. Attendances are up by over 20% for the Castlemaine events, but the Whroo
Long Distance is about 10% down on last years’ Joyce’s Creek event. With several late entries from Braemar College expected these races
could see increased participation from juniors. How can we encourage this junior participation – and develop strategies to maintain it? Any
ideas – send them along to the next Eureka meeting – Monday May 13th at the ELC at 7.30pm.

3 Result Boards take up “Permanent Residence” in Melbourne Our heavy Velcro attachment result boards that have become a Eureka focus point
for fast results since 2004 have moved south to Melbourne on “permanent loan” to Bayside Kangaroos. They have been replaced by the two TV
screens that Ian has engineered to produce electronic on-the-spot results. A light-weight velcro and corflute board system may replace the old
velcro system – but must be small enough to NOT require a trailer to carry it.

4 Watch this space for some local training events – discussed at the April Eureka meeting – as we enjoy the crisp mornings of autumn and trust that the winter showers are not too much disincentive to get out in the forest.

Cheers
Blake