SO Success at the White Rose
A number of SO members travelled to Yorkshire for the White Rose this bank holiday weekend and coped with muddy (ok, swamp like) conditions and some very tough terrain and successfully won a total of 15 trophies!
The weather was ok most of the weekend (it was dryer than Wales) but as there had been so much rain recently, it was very wet underfoot. Add some river crossings into this and a campsite that probably resembled a dry day at Glastonbury and you can see why wellies were the most essential bit of kit!
Day 1 started near the campsite at Low North Camp (ex MOD land) and went off into Langdale Forest. The courses had been planned slightly shorter than a usual regional event, but had plenty of climb, marshes, river crossings and technical bits to keep some of us out for a wee while. (I think it’s called value for money)
For those of us who had any energy left after day 1 there was also a 30 minute night score event at nearby Broxa Forest. This was a mass start, a bit like the KNC events, which was fun to watch. Broxa Forest was the plateau on top of the hill and was therefore flat and much more runnable. 30 minutes isn’t very long though - it’s amazing how easy it is to be late back (especially if you decide to just go for one more 20 point control!)
SO had some good results at the Night score event -
2nd Junior Women - Rachel Collins
3rd Senior Women - Ali Weller
3rd Senior Men - Mike Hooper
3rd Senior Vet Men - Jim Parker
Day 2 dawned after overnight rain with the prospect of more fun in Barns Cliff. Basically, this map is of two slopes (very steep ones) either side of a river. So more river crossings, a lot more climb and even wetter underfoot for this one. I think the parts of this that will be remembered the most are the rock climbing around the river and the steep climb from the penultimate control, having just crossed a marsh !
SO again had some good results over the 2 individual days -
2nd M35L - Mike Hooper
2nd M55L - Andy Parkinson
3rd W60L - Bridget Hooper
Finally, today was the relay day. This is run as a 60 minute score event, with each member of the team having to visit 4/5 compulsory spine controls. The rest you can divide up between you. The spine controls alone were pretty tough, especially on the A course. The map was a combination of both the previous days. In previous years the relays have been where we have done well, this year was no exception -
1st, A Class 120+ Andy Parkinson, Mike Hooper, Peter Chapman
1st, B Class 120+ All W Ali Weller, Anna Chapman, Chris Jepson
Also well done to Carol House & Joe House who were 1st in their relay team on the A Class with Sarah Louise Francis from SN.
At the end of a pretty physical and tiring weekend, well done to all who made it round their courses and especially to all WR trophy winners !
Ali Weller
Club Chairman
Posted by Ali Hooper on 25th Aug 08
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Another August Bank Holiday weekend and Another White Rose Orienteering adventure.
This particular annual event always seems to be worth much more than the sum of it’s individual parts. The wet weather (in that part of the country) leading up to the event made the camping field resemble a marsh and the (already rough) competition terrain extremely boggy and slippery – not normally your first choice of accommodation or venue. Very basic camping facilities: a field; water supply; and a toilet (no showers etc.). Forests specialising in: brashings; steep slopes; and the inevitable summer vegetation. The courses (well mine, in any case) were planned close to capital M of Macho in the scale of physicality – a little insensitive to the requirements of a holiday weekend. A three hundred mile car journey on a bank holiday weekend – not a trivial jaunt!
Yes, on the surface, the event doesn’t seem to be encouraging participation by any other than the real orienteering head bangers. As a package, however, it was great!
All events within walking distance of the event centre (ok, the night event was a short drive away – 4km – not excessive).
Good value and quality food available on site all weekend from Wilfs. Ultrasport on site most of the weekend to supply orienteering needs. Cheap camping. Close proximity to the spectacular scenery of the N York moors and coast. Two regional events, one night event, a quiz, a team score event and mountain bike orienteering event available. Prizes for the first three in the various competitions. A chance to meet up with many old friends. I chatted with former club mates from most of my time orienteering over the last 29 years. The company of other Southdowners was great too, and gave plenty of opportunity to chat in a relaxed manner.
All-in-all: not to be missed. I think we may be going again next year!
Posted by Peter Chapman on 26th Aug 08 at 12:23 PM
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