Intervarsity Training Weekend 2010

The 2010 intervarsity training weekend took place in Inch/Killarney on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of February. The training weekend was attended by students of UCC, GMIT, UL, UCD, DIT and IT Tallaght.

The weekend started with a training session in Inch sanddunes on Saturday morning. The first exercise was basically an introduction to orienteering: what is involved in the sport, what a map looks like, features on the map and descriptions. Once the basics had been explained, the large group was divided and each group went off into the dunes to get a feel for the map and to practice recognising the different brown features. Compass bearings were then practiced and once this exercise was over, everyone was given an opportunity to take part in a relay and run a short course in the area that they had been practicing in. After lunch some of the group took to the dunes again and did a slightly longer course, which everyone completed individually. The rest of the group attempted to break into a locked car parked on the strand, while the owner of the car sent a small search party into the dunes to look for the missing keys! A tough exercise given the length of dunes covered by the individual that day, but success was had when the keys were found, but only after the window was broken.

Saturday night was spent in the Knockreer House Hostel in Killarney National Park, a wonderful location to relax in after a day in the dunes. Sunday, the group headed to the KerryO event in Knockreer Estate where the skills from the day before were put to the test. A quick briefing session took place first to help familiarise people with the map, which was in stark contrast to the previous days orienteering.

This event was organised by UCC and thanks and congratulations go out to Gearoid and Kieran in particular for putting on another successful weekend. Thanks also go to Darren, Brian and Sean for putting out controls, control collection and starts and finishes. Also thanks to KerryO for accommodating extra numbers at their event.

Kopaonik Open 2010

I recently received the following invitation. Note there will be a Long Distance WRE and all events are within easy access of the event centre:

Dear Orienteers,
In Serbia, Kopaonik there will be a big international orienteering race, Kopaonik Open2010, which has been traditionally held.
In 5 days there will be 6 orienteering races, on this beautiful touristic centre on 1700m from 21st to 25th July 2010.

PROGRAME Kopaonik Open 2010

Tuesday, 20th July
08.00 – 23.00 Kopaonik - Event Centre and information desk is open
12.00 – 20.00 Training
17.00 – 19.00 Model Event
20.00 – 21.00 Team leaders Meeting,– Event centre

Wednesday, 21st July
08.00 – 13.00 Kopaonik - Event Centre and information desk is open
14.00 First start long distance event, Kadijevac, 6km for the Events centre

Thursday, 22nd July
08.00 – 10.00 Kopaonik - Event Centre and information desk is open
11.00 First start middle distance event, Kadijevac, 6km for the Events centre

Friday, 23rd July
08.00 – 10.00 Kopaonik - Event Centre and information desk is open
09.00 First start sprint distance event, 300m for the Events centre
21.00 First start night short distance event, 300m for the Events centre

Saturday, 24th July
08.00 – 10.00 Kopaonik - Event Centre and information desk is open
11.00 First start long distance event (WRE), Lisicje stene,1,5km for the Events centre
20.00 – 21.00 Prize-giving ceremony (WRE)
21.00 Banquet.

Sunday, 05th July
09.00 First start middle distance event,Markov kamen, 500m for the Events centre
14.30 Prize-giving ceremony Kopaonik open &, South-east Europe Masters Orienteering
Championship, official closure of the event.

Conditions for competition and accommodation are very beneficial. More informations http://www.kopaonikopen2010.org/.
Welcome to Serbia
SD JASENICA

Irish Champs Training in Wexford

Irish Champs Training this weekend, 6th March, Kilmore Quay Co. Wexford. Don't have to be a Cork-O member to attend. E-mail dannyohare at googlemail.com if you're interested in attending........

"CorkO's sand dune training will be on Saturday 6th March in the Sunny SouthEast. The Plan is to meet at 11am in Kilmore Quay (Kilmore Quay is near Rosslare in Wexford). We'll have technical training in the morning and then break for lunch before more practice in the afternoon. We'll finish up at 4.30pm. You'll need to bring your lunch with you. Accommodation will be organised if you want to stay over. So if you'd like attend the training please email me by tuesday so i have enough maps. Also let me know if you want accommodation.

Danny

CorkO Club Coach"

Trail O Championships - Irish Team

Hi all

Please see message below from Alan Gartside posted to the IOA website.

"I would like to hear from anyone wishing to be considered for selection to the Irish teams competing at the World and European Championships in TrailO this summer. The European Champs are in Sweden from 3rd-7th August and the World Champs are in Norway from 8th-13th August (alongside the FootO World Champs). A country can enter up to 6 competitors in the Open class in EuTOC and up to 3 in the Open class in WTOC (it can enter similar numbers in the Paralympic classes but I am unaware of any Irish qualifiers). The web sites for both competitions can be reached via the IOF web site. I would be grateful for early responses as the first entry date for the European Champs is fast approaching. Alan Gartside"

Orienteering Training Weekend

Apologies for the late notice on this but for those of you who might be interested there will be a training weekend held this weekend (6th and 7th Feb) in Inch sanddunes for all third level students primarily. The event is not a closed event so anyone who wants to improve their navigation or get in some hours on the dunes can come along. The more the merrier. The event is being organised and run by UCCO and will incorporate the KerryO event on the Sunday.

The event is suitable for all levels of experience and fitness. On Saturday, we will be training on the sandunes at Inch Strand on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry and on Sunday, KerryO are staging an orienteering event at Knockreer estate in Killarney National Park that we will attend. There are no set training plans but plenty of training options so it is really a chance for people to tell us what they want to work on. Sanddunes are the perfect place to learn from mistakes and to practice for the upcoming champs. Directions: From Cork follow the N22 to Killarney, then take the R561 in the direction of Dingle.

*Plan for Saturday is:*

10.30: - Meet at Inch Strand (drive down the strand a bit to start, you will see us)
11-13: - Practice map techniques
13-14: - Lunch
14-15.30: - More practice
15.30 -16.30: - A course to practice what you've learned

We will be using SI cards for the practice course so if you have one, bring it along but we will be able to provide some also. There is also the option of having an 800m or so route marked out on the dunes if some people fancy a bit of hills training, just let the organisers know beforehand.

There are some people travelling from Cork and Limerick on Saturday morning that have some free spaces so please contact either myself (Sharon) at ulo at orienteering.ie or UCCO at orienteering .ie for other details and to book a place. There are some limited places available in the hostel in Killarney. Cost for the whole weekend is €25 for students, but again please double check with UCC if that is the standard rate. If you can, please let someone know if you intend on coming.

So why not come along and make it a one- or two-day orienteering trip. I will be on-hand all weekend if people want to approach me.

For those wanting to stay closer to home the BOC event on Sunday is in Currabinny Wood as part of the Cork Winter League (Round 6). As always keep an eye out here for other orienteering events that are taking place around the county and country.