It is the second year for orienteering as a school sports code at the Zespri Aims Games, and the numbers have improved from 260 to 320 per day which is a good increase. Most are doing both events as the price incentivises students to do both the sprint and rogaine events giving  young people the chance to try two different terrains and navigation experience. Gene Beveridge joined the team this year to control the sprint with Dennis de Monchy controlling the rogaine. Both the sprint and the Rogaine were planned young orienteers who appreciated having experienced mentors to bounce ideas off. 

The sprint was on a larger area at the poly tech, so there was no need for map flips which had proved a bit tricker for some competitors last year.

The rogaine was in typical spur and gully terrain which gave navigators the chance to flex their map reading skills. Many composite rogaine teams were made so all could have a go.  All competitors, teachers and organisers had good expectations for the event in this second year, with many showing that they had practised and gained more navigation experience in the last year.
A special mention to the year 7 winning runners on the sprint who came in much faster than expected which had the coordinators double checking the splits. It was impressive to see consistent running and map reading techniques.

Year 7 GIRLS
1st Emily WILLIAMS, St Oran’s College 8.28
2nd Thea MARITZ, St Cuthbert’s College 10.55 +2.27
3rd Anna KONRAD, ACG Strathallan College 11.58 +3.30

YEAR 7 BOYS
1st Toby SHOOLBREAD, St Peter’s College (Auckland) 10.00
2nd Charlie MORTELL, Sacred Heart College (Auckland) 12.20 +2.20
3rd Jack BROOKSSacred Heart College (Auckland) 14.47 +4.47

YEAR 8 GIRLS
1st Cheverny JAYASURIYA, St Cuthbert’s College 10:28
2nd Lacey GORNALL,Orewa College 10:32 +0.04
3rd Stella TANNER, Baradene College of the Sacred Heart 10:44 +0.16

YEAR 8 BOYS
1st William REEVES, Saint Kentigern Boys’ School 11:31
2nd Charlie BOTT, Taradale Intermediate 12.03 +0.32
3rd Aidan COAD, Ramarama School 13.19 +1.48

Photo credits: Top images Red Kiwi, base images by Tom Davies