With 3 events and 187 competitive runs is was a busy weekend of Orienteering at LVO’s annual Tollymore Festival of Orienteering.
For a second consecutive year, the weekend kicked off in Warrenpoint for the Urban race, which counted in the NI Urban League. This is such a great area for route choice and scenery and local planner, George Savell, made the most of it. A hot evening with a few long legs sapped the energy levels before dipping into tricky intricate housing and footpaths. Big thanks to the other event officials Sarah Knight (Organiser) and Greg McCann (Controller) for making it such a well organised and fun event along with much appreciated help from Dan and Mark Earnshaw, Aine McCann, Alison and Geoffrey Collins, Carol Black and Peter Gamble.
On Saturday we headed off to the slopes of Slievenagore where we were treated to intricate contour and rock features over challenging rocky and heathery terrain. Great courses were planned and then re-planned over a smaller area than expected due to a late change in permissions. Well done officials Susan (planner), Stephen (controller), George (organiser) with support from Moire for providing us to enjoy along with the many other helpers, Joe McClure, Carol Black, Mark Pruzina, Kenny Weir, Dan Earnshaw, Aine McCann, Beverly Gaston, Sharon Dickenson. This event counted in the NI Colour Series as well as the NI Champs. Champions to be declared soon. An added prize to this event is the fastest finish – both the male and female prizes were awarded to Irish Juniors Eanna Grennan and Fionnuala, well done, great running!
Saturday evening is a great social occasion in the LVO calendar, where we treat ourselves to a very welcome BBQ and chat well into the evening. We also had the opportunity to say farewell to Anastasia Mahlych. Steph said a few words, mentioning Nastia came to NI three years ago and being a keen and able orienteer in Ukraine sought out a club here to continue enjoying her sport. Nastia enjoyed being part of the Junior NI and Irish squad. Over this challenging time Nastia has grown into a very able and confident young women and has made the decision to return home to Ukraine. She will be continuing her university studies and is looking forward to seeing her family and friends again. Steph presented Nastia with an LVO training jacket to remember us by -our best wishes go with her!
Another highlight of the evening (thanks to Wilbert, who uncovered some retro kit), was seeing the juniors dive like gannets to snatch up the latest in O-fashion. I think they slept in them to be ready for the score course next morning.
Steph planned the LVO Score Championships courses which was competitively fought but in great sport. There was lots of chat and comparison afterwards about route choice – should have, could have would have – hind sight is a great thing. Thanks Mark for supporting with the IT and the Irish Juniors who helped collect in controls afterwards.
The results for all three events can be found here: Results –
Thanks to Chris for coordinating the whole weekend and Aine for stepping in and up to take over when work commitments changed and Chris unfortunately couldn’t make it. Thanks also to the land owners for giving us permission and parking, club mappers, George, Mark, Bill, Stephen and Ivan; Alan Gartside for printing the maps, Colin for sorting and organising all the kit, Gordon and Mark for MOO towing and helping set up and take down. Long suffering Peter, who doesn’t complain when I drag him along to support with the set up at 10am on Friday morning and then take down in the Sunday afternoon.
It is great to see so many people help out, sorry if I have missed you out!
Thanks everyone who attended and I hope to see you on our next adventure which is tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, for the last WEE of June at Belvoir – enter now!
