Morrison dominates ahead of Australia New Zealand Orienteering test match

Ross Morrison overcame a 45 second defecit to win day two of the Waitangi Summer Orienteering Carnival in Taupo today.

Leading into tomorrow's first test match and World Ranking Event, Mark Lawson held on to second place while Thomas Reynolds climbed three places to finish third.

Estonia took out the top two places in the women's race with Liis Johanson and Piret Klade moving through the field from fifth and sixth place.

Overnight leader Jo Allison from Australia dropped to third with Penny Kane the first kiwi in fourth place.

This was the third race in two days for most of the competitors with the night relays held on Saturday night.

Hawkes Bay reclaimed the 7-person relay title with Auckland clubs Counties Manukau and North West finishing second and third.

Hamilton club won the 5-person relay with Auckland second and Counties Manukau third.

An elite team category was also included in this year's night relays to cater for the Australian and South Island clubs who would otherwise not have enough runners.

Peninsula and Plains (Christchurch) won the new category with Australia managing to fill second and third.

The carnival moves to Hamilton tomorrow (Monday, 4 February) for a sprint race at Waikato University.

Results

Middle Distance Day 1 and 2 combined times

Top 5 men
1. Ross Morrison 1:14:27
2. Mark Lawson 1:14:49
3. Thomas Reynolds 1:16:09
4. Simon Uppill 1:16:12
5. Karl Dravitzki 1:17:26

Top 5 women
1. Liis Johanson 1:11:51
2. Piret Klade 1:12:00
3. Jo Allison 1:12:20
4. Penny Kane 1:13:37
5. Lara Prince 1:17:47


Katoa Po Night Relays

7-person
1. Hawkes Bay 4:24:50
2. Counties Manukau 4:30:25
3. North West 4:53:39

5-person
1. Hamilton 3:10:45
2. Auckland 3:38:54
3. Counties Manukau 3:48:51

Elite
1. PAPO 2:23:04
2. Australia Kodos 2:32:58
2. Australia Kang 2:32:58


Waitangi Summer Orienteering Carnival
2-10 February 2008
Official website: www.madeventz.co.nz/waitangi