World Games orienteering representatives Darren Ashmore, Ross Morrison and Lizzie Ingham are keenly anticipating the 2010 National Orienteering Championships, held over the Easter weekend.
It's not just the new terrain in the rocky slopes of Central Otago that's exciting them, but the challenge of taking on the new batch of up and coming orienteers.
Morrison, tenth at last years World Games in the Sprint, is well prepared. "Training back in New Zealand has been great! I might be in better form now than was at the Games" he warned. "But I expect tough competition from Darren, and from Thomas Reynolds and James Bradshaw".
Bradshaw has threatened at Nationals in past years, with several top three places, and has stepped up his training for this years tilt at gold.
In contrast, Reynolds, coached by Bradshaw, won a National Sprint title in 2008 while still a junior.
Rotorua based Darren Ashmore, defending Middle distance title-holder, is also at peak fitness and ready for the pressure of Nationals.
"There are a few fast guys around at the moment, but if the terrain is technical and the running fast, then it will be an excellent challenge. Speedy legs will be less important" he noted.
"I always see myself as my biggest competition. I know that when I am in good shape physically, if I can navigate well then the result will generally be pretty good. The Nationals are the most important races of the year in NZ so the pressure is on everyone to get it right."
'Road-testing' of the newly mapped Central Otago areas has been carried out by 2-time World Orienteering champion Mathias Merz (Suisse), keen to experience the unique gold mining terrain of New Zealand.
Another (ex) World Champion involved with preparing the Nationals is expatriate Dane Carsten Joergensen, who mapped the area for the Middle distance race.
"It's very detailed, with lots of rock underfoot. With no trees." he leaked. "But I believe the Sprint race will be the trickiest; lots of goldmining detail in forest" he added. "Or so I've been told".
Carsten is still rated by Morrison and others as strong chance to repeat his National title win of 2009 in the Long distance.
"He's a bit of a dark horse" said Morrison. " I was starting to think he was nearly at his 'best before date' but he had an impressive run in the Junior trials and I've heard rumours of a recent quick 5km time."
Silva Orienteering Series champion Lizzie Ingham, is also running fast and keen to navigate the area's tailings and rocks.
"The terrain looks wicked" she commented.
"It will be a great test run to see if my training is on track before heading to Europe. I'd love to win a few titles but the competition is tough!"
Amber Morrison, in her first injury-free year of elite competition, is one of those tough competitors, but junior Angela Simpson, who currently leads the Silva Orienteering Series won't be.
Simpson will be running in her age-cless and saving her all-out efforts for the Junior World Championships in Denmark this year.
"I am disappointed not to be racing Angela now I have some proper training behind me" said Ingham, current NZ Sprint champion. "I'm feeling really fit!"
The 2010 National Orienteering Championships commence with the Sprint distance on Friday April 2 at Roxburgh.
Programme: 2010 New Zealand Orienteering Championships
- 2 April: NZ SPRINT DISTANCE CHAMPS, Roxburgh
- 3 April: NZ MIDDLE DISTANCE CHAMPS, Cromwell
- 4 April: NZ LONG DISTANCE CHAMPS, Alexandra
- 5 April: NZ RELAY CHAMPS, Naseby
