Irish Orienteering Championship 2010
It was a small but enthusiastic contingent of club members who travelled up north for the Irish Camps in Derry. The first day was an evening sprint event around the University of Ulster campus in Coleraine. It was the first time for many to take part in a true sprint event, which could best be described as Belfield on speed. It was certainly fast and furious, and with an average of a control every hundred metres, quick decisions were key. The controls were tucked into (and sometimes under) every niche and building crevice, making it imperative that you came into each control accurately. A control in a passageway under a building caught many out, and was often the decider on who won and lost. Gold medals to Hazel Thompson (W35), Dave Weston (M45) and Faith White (W75), with Bobby Buckley picking up a bronze in M65 on his return to Championship competition.
The main competition day saw us back to Magilligan Strand for the classic race. It’s a great dune area with fast running and complex contours to catch the unwary. We’ve been to Magilligan a couple of times recently, but its familiarity doesn’t make it that much easier. The courses were slightly shorter than you’d expect for an Irish Champs, and therefore the winning times were a bit on the quick side. Both Hazel and Faith completed the double by taking gold in W35 and W75 respectively. Congrats also to Billy O’Neill who took first place in M65S and Brian Power who was second in M60S. Dave Weston took third in the M45 category.
The relays were on a new area of Magilligan which was flat and very fast. There were some areas of complexity but this was eyeballs-out running. Our low numbers militated against us and we didn’t trouble the prize giving. Pity. I always like relays myself as it’s the only chance we can represent the club as a team. Maybe next year when the IOC is in our own backyard.
A very enjoyable weekend of orienteering and well worth the journey. Full results can be viewed on the website http://www.niorienteering.org.uk/ioc2010/?Results
