Oceania found its regional champions in the sprint distances this past weekend on the Australian eastern coast.
In various terrains in school, campus and university areas on the Central Coast north of Sydney, the Australians competed on home turf against their neighbours from New Zealand.
On Saturday, it was the Knock-Out Sprint, which provided some close finishes.
In the men’s event, Joseph Lynch (NZL) defended his title and secured a victory for the Kiwis with just a one-second lead over Elye Dent and with Ethan Penck in third place four seconds behind.
Joseph Lynch (NZL) defended his Oceania KO Sprint title on Saturday. Photo: Simon George
Nea Shingler was more dominant in the women’s event, where she had a three-second margin on an all-Australian podium ahead of young Ella Clauson and Zoe Carter.
Nea Shingler leading the field of athletes during Saturday’s KO Sprint finals. Photo: Simon George
Lynch and Young take sprint titles
The following day, Joseph Lynch was again the strongest among the men and won the individual sprint with a full 47 seconds lead over Aston Key (AUS), while another Australian, Angus Haines, took the bronze medal.
Angus Haines (AUS) was third in the individual sprint on a warm Sunday. Photo: Simon George
Just like two years ago, Lynch won both individual titles.
Caitlin Young secured Australia’s gold medal in the women’s event. She was 12 seconds ahead of Zara Stewart (NZL), while Mikayla Cooper (AUS) took bronze, just under a minute behind the winner.
Zara Stewart (NZL) finishing in second position in the women’s sprint. Photo: Simon George
Erika Enderby, who won the junior class, actually had the fastest time of all women on the sprint course, with Norway’s Anna Taksdal also third fastest in the W21 class but, due to her nationality, cannot win an Oceanian medal.
The winners of the individual races gain a personal start spot at this summer’s World Orienteering Championships in Genova, Italy.
Relay win for Aussies
On Monday, Australia defended its Sprint Relay championship. The team of Zoe Carter, Elye Dent, Leith Soden and Nea Shingler led the way and were 1:12 minutes ahead of New Zealand after the four runs.
Joseph Lynch was again strong on the third run for the Kiwis, but the Australian lead was too big for the team, which also consisted of Kaia Jorgensen, Nathan Borton and Zara Stewart.
Nine seconds behind was the Australian team (Justine Hobson, Owen Radajewski, Ewan Shingler and Grace Crane), who finished in third place.
Mass start of Monday’s Sprint Relay with Milla Key (104), Georgia Lindroos (103), Kaia Jorgensen (102) and Zoe Carter (101) in front row. Photo: Simon GeorgeÂ