Mountain Bike Orienteering

Australian Events

The onset of Covid 19 in March 2020 meant that no MTBO events were run from April 1 – June 13, but after that all states except for Vic & NSW were able to run fairly full programs. Four states, namely WA, SA, ACT & Q were able to conduct their normal State Championships.

The Australian Championships planned for Newcastle (NSW) had to be cancelled and reallocated to 2021, as other states weren’t able to attend. The National Series was deemed cancelled, as the majority of the planned events had restricted attendance.

One side benefit was the extensive use of MapRun to run DIY events (thus meeting Covid distancing requirements) in both Queensland & Albury-Wodonga. Other states are now looking to implement MapRun courses for training & promotional purposes.

International Events

With the onset of Covid it quickly became apparent that Orienteering Australia would not be sending teams to Europe for MTBO 2020 WOC-Jwoc. Eventually both the Elite & Masters World Championships were cancelled but a European Championships went ahead in Finland but with meagre participation.

Insurance

A query to Orienteering Australia’s Insurance provider in December 2019 with regard to coverage of MTBO events that utilise public roads threatened to derail our sport when initially they said that we weren’t covered for that. After collating data from states about event types, participation numbers & map types and the Executive Officer, Paul Prudhoe, personally meeting with the broker, we finally received conformation mid-February that our insurance cover would continue.

Innovation

MTBO, through Orienteering Australia received a grant of $10 000 to spend on buying long range BS11 SI AIR units to enable our riders to utilise and become familiar with the 1.5m range “punching” that is now commonplace at major events in Europe. A campaign was then run to try to get states and individual clubs to contribute funds to buy a 2nd set of units. Contributions came from WA & some clubs but most states decided to invest in sets for themselves.

Now with VIC, ACT & QLD all having sets, as well as the OA one we have enough units to conduct a 4 race Australian Championships.

Future Plans

It is hoped in 2021 we can travel to New Zealand to compete and run a training camp if a reciprocal travel bubble is allowed. Sending teams to Europe for WOCJwoc remains extremely doubtful until worldwide vaccination has occurred.

MTBO needs to create a coaching curriculum aligned with the revised Orienteering Australia foot curriculum. This should allow “recognition of prior learning” for those already accredited foot O / MTB XC coaches

Kay Haarsma

MTBO Coordinator