Record medal haul for New Zealand orienteers at the World Masters Games in Australia

Carsten Joergensen, adopted New Zealander and former World Orienteering Champion (Relay) was one of five winners for New Zealand at the World Masters Games in Australia.

Joergenson (Christchurch) was tipped to be the biggest challenge in the Long distance for Australian Grant Bluett (World Games winner in 2001) in the Men 35 age class - and fulfilled expectations with a win by just 52 seconds ahead of former Sydneysider Bluett, in the tricky sandstone terrain of the Blue Mountains.

Patricia Aspin (Counties-Manakau) added to her tally of World Masters Championships medals with another Gold, in the Women 60 age class, while elite orienteer Jason Markham (Wellington) had a great debut into Masters competition with a bronze behind two Russians (Men 40).

Bunny Rathbone (Dunedin) and Carey Nazzer (New Plymouth) also picked up bronze medals in the Long distance, in the Womens 70 and 50 age classes respectively.

The World Games were notable for orienteering having the largest contingent of overseas competitors entered - particularly from Scandinavia, the home of the sport.

Earlier in the week, New Zealand sprint orienteers Marquita Gelderman, Gillian Ingham and Bill Edwards were winners in the sprint race held around the parkland of Macquarie University, Sydney.

Bill Edwards (Hutt Valley), former Irish representative, made a huge step up from his 10th placing at the last World Masters championships, winning the hotly-contested Mens 40 age class by just 20 seconds.

Joergensen started the week with a silver in the sprint distance behind British rep Nick Barrable, while former World Champion Jorgen Martensson (Sweden) had to settle for third behind Australian Warren Key (Men 50).

Susan Edwards couldn't quite match her husbands gold but picked up a silver behind Natasha Key (Melbourne) in W35.

Warren and Natasha Key were undefeated over the Championships picking up golds in both the Sprint and Long distance.

After successfully switching to MTB Orienteering and making it to World number 1 ranking, Aucklander Marquita Gelderman made a brilliant return to foot orienteering with her 36 second win in the W40 Sprint.

Also showing a clean pair of heels was Wellingtonian Gillian Ingham, winning W50 ahead of Aussie Anthea Feaver, while Jill Dalton (Auckland) took bronze in W65.

The total medal tally of 5 golds, 2 silvers and 4 bronze is New Zealands best ever for New Zealand  at World Masters Orienteering Championships,and the World Masters Games.