Intermediate boys' winner Will Tidswell (Havelock North High) receives his award from international orienteering ace Ross Morrison who will soon head back to Europe to compete in June and July. Ronan Lee (Lindisfarne College, left) was second and Kingston Webb (Napier Boys' High) third. Photo / Cryn Russell
Intermediate boys' winner Will Tidswell (Havelock North High) receives his award from international orienteering ace Ross Morrison who will soon head back to Europe to compete in June and July. Ronan Lee (Lindisfarne College, left) was second and Kingston Webb (Napier Boys' High) third. Photo / Cryn Russell
The sprint at Splash Planet, leg one of the Hawke's Bay schools' orienteering championship, could hardly have provided a better advertisement for the sport last week. Close racing and inter-school rivalry had runners and supporters following the action last Wednesday or glued to the electronic results board where times were constantlyupdated.
Early finishers stood mesmerised at the board, watching their names gradually moving downwards as faster rivals took their place at the top. Parents could be heard counting off those out on the course who could still beat their son or daughter.
This wasn't about having fun. This was somewhere that winning still mattered. On the technical and complex Splash Planet map, the favourites were well and truly tested and some were rolled, not least national champions Napier Boys' High who had to bow on the night to Havelock North High in the school challenge.
HNHS lead NBHS 112-103 points after the sprint. The long-course champs and relays are still to be raced.
Napier Girls' High set up what may prove to be an unassailable lead in the girls' challenge, heading Havelock North by 119 to 80. They will have more firepower for the next two legs as several of their team will return after missing the sprint because of commitments to volleyball or their school's open night.
The Year 7 and 8 boys' challenge is very tight with Taradale Intermediate leading Havelock North Intermediate by a bare two points while the Havelock North Intermediate girls have a stranglehold on their competition.
Te Mata dominate the primary boys' challenge and Te Mata girls lead Eskdale and Haumoana.
The Lions Playground provided a great setting for the event centre with the children intent on doing their thing while the competition went on around them.
