Vics at Oceania

Australia’s Oceania team includes a number of Victorian orienteers, who will don the Green and Gold in New Zealand. Congratulations to Matt Doyle, Aislinn Prendergast, Milla Key, Matthew Layton, Ella Maja Lang, Peter Hobbs, Moira Kuffer, Simon Rouse, Bruce Arthur, Hania Lada, Jim Russell, Neil Barr, Carolyn Jackson, Julie Flynn, Sue Key. Blair Trewin was selected as a Reserve

Sprint

The 2025 Oceania Championships got underway today in Palmerston North, NZ, kicking off with the Sprint at Massey University.  Times were fast, with many age classes won in less than 12 minutes, and not too many tricks or traps on the map.  Three Victorian men finished in the top 10 in M21E!  Callum White placed 4th, just 2 seconds off the podium.  Patrick Jaffe was 7th and Jensen Key 10th, in a great result for our guys.  In w20E, not to be outdone, Milla Key took second place.

We had success in the age group classes as well  –

  • First place – Bruce Arthur, Ted van Geldermalsen
  • Second place – Judi Herkes, Alex Tarr
  • Third place – Sophie Taverna, Moira Kuffer, Carolyn Jackson, Stephen Collins

Visit the Oceania website

Middle Distance

The next race was the Middle Distance at Santoft Forest, described as mature pine forest, mainly open and runnable with subtle topography.  If you look at the maps on Livelox (access from https://www.oceaniao.nz/results/), you’ll see it was certainly subtle!

Patrick Jaffe was the best placed Victorian in M21E, in 6th place, with recently returned Viking Matt Doyle in 8th.  Milla Key followed up her excellent 2nd place yesterday, with a strong 5th place finish in W20E.

In the age classes, winners and placegetters were:

  • First place – Sophie Taverna
  • Second place – Peter Hobbs, Dale Taverna, Ted van Geldermalsen, Alex Tarr, Wendy Taverna, Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins, Judi Herkes
  • Third place – Moira Kuffer

Long Distance

Today’s race was in the more intricate Knottingly sand dunes.  The weather turned from very hot and humid, to very wet.

Milla Key collected a second Silver medal, showing her versatility and consistency.  Nicholas Mousley had a top 10 finish on M20E, while Patrick Jaffe was the best placed Vic on M21E, edging out team mate Matt Doyle.

Age class winners and placegetters:

  • First place – Sophie Taverna, Hania Lada
  • Second place – Alan Kuffer, Warren Key, Alex Tarr, Izzy Greenhalgh, Judi Herkes
  • Third place – Peter Hobbs, Bruce Arthur, Moira Kuffer, Carolyn Jackson, Sue Key

Relay

The Oceania carnival wrapped up with the Relays, always an exciting way to finish!  Victorians who were part of medal-winning teams were:

Matthew Layton, Matt Doyle, Peter Hobbs, Simon Rouse, Bruce Arthur, Neil Barr, Ted van Geldermalsen, Alex Tarr, Ella Maja Lang, Milla Key, Moira Kuffer, Sue Key, Janet Tarr

 

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