Discussion: National Capital O-fest

On-line registration is now open for the O-fest. There are only 7 days left before the Early Bird deadline of April 18th. The National Capital O-fest will be hilly and challenging at both Sedbergh School near Montebello (a new map) and in the NE corner of Gatineau Park near Wakefield. All the National Team contenders will be there - the best orienteers in Canada.

There are courses for all ages and abilities. With our late spring and early long weekend, this may be the best opportunity for leafless orienteering for this annual meet. Don't miss out.


Bill Anderson, meet director
Lorna Guttormson, registrar

I hear the skiing is still pretty good in Gatineau Park. Will the snow be gone by mid-May?

Next week they are going to open the windows in Ottawa's Parliament Buildings as they do every year at this time.
The hot air from the political debate will melt all the snow for miles around as it does every year at this time.
The Gatineau Park will be snow free by the last week of April.

A-ha. Now we know the true cause of global warming. I don't recall your mentioning this in the earth hour thread, Gord!

I was up near Wakefield this morning. The nordic trails are fine for snowshoeing but I expect them to be soon abandoned by skiers. As of this afternoon, the NCC continues to recommend 54% of the Gatineau trail system for skiers.

Fossil,
I sort of made reference to other dinosaurs, didn't I?

The web site is ready for visits! http://www.ottawaoc.ca/2008_NCOF.shtml

The deadline for registration for the OFest is this Friday. The woods are open, the leaves not quite out yet - don't miss this opportunity to run in new woods and enjoy spring. There are courses for everyone - from the national team members coming to vie for spots on this year's team , to the recreational novice and young children and everyone in between. See www.ottawaoc.ca/2008_NCOF.shtml for details and online registration.

On Saturday, at Montebello, please note that there are no food outlets at the school. The closest food outlets would be in Montebello some 10 km south so you may want to bring a lunch if you are staying for the sprint.

Gord Hunter, with the help of Andrew Cornett, has arranged for a model event, of sorts, for Friday. Following is the note from Gord:

Due to some requests the OOC has set up a limited training opportunity for orienteers participating in the NCOF.

Location: Mackenzie King Estates, Gatineau Park

Start Times: 2PM to 4 PM Friday, May 16th
There will be no control flags or electronic punching. There are ribbons at the control sites from a recent 6.8 Km Course (where the winning time was 55 minutes) or participants can take out one section or another to make shorter courses.
The map is old but the terrain is very representational of the weekend terrain.
E-mail Gord Hunter at gordhun AT rogers.com to reserve a map.
Map cost: $3 if reserved in advance $5 for purchase on the day (availability not guaranteed)

Start times are posted --

http://www.ottawaoc.ca/alpha_start.html

The start list is now posted for this weekends events - see ottawaoc.ca. If there are any errors, missing SI numbers, incorrect classes, whatever, please report them via email to registrar AT ottawaoc.ca so that registration can move quickly and smoothly.

Registration will open at 10 am. Be sure to report to registration to sign a waiver and pick up your bib and event information. The first starts for the middle are at 12 noon. There is a 600 m. walk to the start.

Please remember, there are no food services at the school. There are many services in Montebello, but it is 10 km. away. You may want to bring a lunch if you are staying for the sprint.

Please park only on one side of the entrance road to the school.

I posted the maps on my blog if anyone is interested.
Fun day. Looking forward to tomorrow
http://dl1.yukoncollege.yk.ca/brent

Preliminary results (Team Trials competitors only - I couldn't remember where everyone else finished - though there are some non Team Trials runners interspersed within the podium results):

Middle women:
1. Louise Oram
2. Victoria Smith
3. Heather Smith

Middle men:
1. Mike Smith
2. Wil Smith
3. Nick Duca

Sprint women:
1. Louise Oram
2. Victoria Smith
3. Heather Smith

Sprint men:
1. Patrick Goeres
2. Mike Smith
3. Brent Langbakk

The courses were very well-set by Ottawa junior Robbie Anderson - excellent work! Nice map done by Bill Anderson, probably the best Ottawa map I've ever been on. Challenging orienteering in the middle, with visibility hindered by new leaves at times. The sprint was also quite hilly and challenging.

Tomorrow features the classic distance race on Lac La Peche - hopefully the course setting will rival that of the middle and sprint.

Is the course gonna be on routegadget? Because I totally feel like I should show my big shameful mistake, so that everyone can laugh at/with me.

I will try to figure out routegadget today for the middle/sprint.