Oceania Orienteering Championships

The young and untested members of the New Zealand elite orienteering team are looking forward to taking on the Australian 'Bushrangers' team tomorrow in the first of the Oceania Orienteering Championships at Lincoln University, Canterbury.

Four of the ten-strong 'Pinestars team - men Todd Oates and Tane Cambridge, and women Rita Homes and Lizzie Ingham - will be making their elite international debut in Canterbury over the Sprint Distance for New Zealand.

"It'll be tough. We're up against Aussie's who are all in good shape right now after the Christmas 5-Days in NSW. But four of the Australian team are also stepping up from Juniors to Elites so it should be a close match" said Pinestars Team Manager, Jamie Stewart.

"Our team spearhead in the mens is former National Champion Darren Ashmore, who is world-class and well-prepared. But he'll be battling the outstanding Simon Uppill - current Australian Champion over Sprint, Middle and Long Distances."

"Uppill proved he can navigate New Zealand terrain with aplomb, with several podium places at last years Test Match and World Ranking races in Taupo and Hamilton."

"Look out for youngster Tom Reynolds, current New Zealand Sprint distance champion, to test Simon at over that distance at Lincoln Uni tomorrow".

"I do expect the classy New Zealand women to have an easier run, with their mental strength, particularly over the long distances" said Stewart. "Tania Robinson and Penny Kane are talented performers with numerous National titles and plenty of World Championships experience between them, while Lizzie Ingham has set a new benchmark for New Zealand at the Junior World Championships recently with top 20 finishes in 2007 and 2008."

The first of the Oceania Orienteering Championship, the Sprint, commences Monday 5 January, at 4pm at Lincoln University, Christchurch tomorrow.

The Oceania Sprint Orienteering Championship race and Australia New Zealand Elite Test Match is also a World Ranking Event.