,

WE DID IT! Thank you to the incredible Team of over 60 people from Orienteering ACT Community who helped make the Carnival so much fun and full of joy!

The Carnival of that scale is only possible, when committed, skilled and engaged people volunteer their time and energy for the event!

The Success of the Carnival wouldn’t be possible without any of this big or small, visible or hidden on the background jobs:

– A massive Thank you goes to our fantastic team of Course Setters and Course Controllers – Cathy Hogg and Belinda Allison (MASS), Michael Reed, Emily Walter and Tom Walter (MIDDLE), Cath Chalmers and Eoin Rothery (SPRINT) and Fedor Iskhakov (LONG) and me, and Mapper of the Carnival Andrew Slattery

– Thank you a lot to our global level experts – IOF Senior Advisor Sandor Talas and OA Commentator Arpad Kocsik

– Thank you to our innovative and fearless MESHO/IT Team  – Fedor Iskhakov(Technical Director/MESHO, Computers, Results), Tate Needham ( MESHO), Alex Maksimov , Henry Gotzinger , Oliver Gotzinger , Max Walter , Josh Mansell , Owen Radajewski (RESULTS).

Thank you to our unstoppable and committed ARENA Team  – Ann Scown & John Scown (Head of 5 Arenas), Rohan Hyslop, Sergei Maksimov, Sam Wilson, Ariadna Iskhakova, Emily Stewart-Reed

Thank you to our endurant and tireless START Team – Cath Chalmers, Jon Glanville, Nat Smith, Alison Inglis, Peter Miller , Jenny Bourne, Geoff Lawford, Ronaldo Santos, Nicole Thomas, Toni Brown, Cathy Hogg, Pat Miethke, Melisa Donaldson, Lisa McLaughlin

Thank you to our talented Supporting functions gurus – Andrew Cheffers (Finance), Phil Walker (Grants), Paul de Jongh (Admin and ALL PRINTING), Emily Stewart-Reed, Raynie McNee, Toni Brown (Come & Try MTBO Tent and MTBO Coaching),  Noel Schoknecht, Ariadna Iskhakova, Alysha McNee (Design), Emily Stewart-Reed (Video),  Veronika Iskhakova (Ceremonies), John Harding, Kelvin Meng, Tom de Jongh, Tash Thackray (Photo over 5 events), Ksenia Maksimova, Emma Penton (Kids Tent)

Thank you to our excellent REGO and HIRE team: David Hogg, Sandra Hogg, Carol Harding, Ann Scown, John Scown

Thank you to our superb Parking Team:  Andrew Cumming Thom  &  Andrew Cheffers (Heads of Parking Team), Frank Ingwersen,  Ann Ingwersen, David Poland, Bruce Bowen , Liz Abott , Axel Roberts , Andrew Cumming Thom ,  Ari Piiroinen , Mary Ann Kulh , Nicole Thomas , Ronaldo Santos  (Gate Marshal).

Thank you for helping with Controls Set up & Collection in any weather: Ken Young, Alysha McNee , Ari Piiroinen , Jesse Piiroinen, Jo Allison, Susie Kluth, Alison Inglis, Shannon Jones, Rebecca Minty, Matt Shadwell, Andrew Reed, Emily Walter, Tom Walter, Cathy Hogg, Rohan Hyslop.

Dear MTBO Carnival Team, SINCERE THANK YOU!!! 

Marina ISKHAKOVA
2024 AUS MTBO Carnival Director

The post 2024 Australian MTBO Carnival – Thank You to Volunteers! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

213 individual participants, including 41 New Zealand MTBO riders, 2 UK MTBO riders, with riders from 5 Australian states, ranging in age from 12 to 80 were competing in 4 various formats Champs – 18th October – MASS Champs at West Stromlo; 19th October morning – MIDDLE Champs at Stringybark Hill, 19th October afternoon – Sprint – at Sutton Road Training Center; 20th October – LONG Champs at West Kowen.

The Australia-New Zealand Challenge was held during the competition and the final count was NZ:AUS at 18:17, the detailed competition by day:
5-3 Mass Start; 6-3 Middle distance; 5-4 Sprint distance; 2-7 Long distance.

ACT riders performed extremely well, and the most successful day for ACT was the LONG, where the State got 16 Medalists!
Sincere Congratulations:

ACT Winners and Placegetters – LONG Champs – 16 Medals!

• W12 Marta Linehan 1st
• W14 Isobel Walter 1st
• W14 Veronika Iskhakova 2nd
• W14 Naomi Penton 3rd
• W16 Ariadna Iskhakova 1st
• W21 Cathy Hogg 3rd
• W50 Emily Walter 1st
• W80 Ann Ingwersen 1st
• WeBike Alysha McNee 1st
• WeBike Raynie McNee 1st
• WeBike Natalie Schmitzer 1st
• M21 Tomas Krajca 2nd
• M12 Edward Linehan 2nd
• M14 Mica Walter 1st
• M50 Michael Reed 2nd
• M50 David Simpfendorfer 3rd

The MTBO Carnival was a massive effort by the Orienteering ACT community, and its success was only possible thanks to the dedication of more than 60 committed, devoted, and skilled volunteers who generously donated their time to the event. Including, the core group of Course Controllers, Course Setters, and Mappers worked for 12 months to perfect the maps and courses. On top of that, 37 ACT riders participated in the Championships/Carnival classes, making ACT the state with the highest level of participation. Was terrific to see many Foot-Orienteers trying MTBO and succeeding:)!

We thank our key Partners and Sponsors – Mount Majura, Bentspoke, PhysioSport, Active Glass, Mojo Cycle, Yoga for Posture, Mont Adventure Equipment, Julbo, Resultz, Icon Water for their fantastic support of the Carnival!
We thank all Facilities and Landowners of the Carnival, without which support, the Carnival wouldn’t be possible – QPRC, Sutton Road Training Center, Alivio Tourist Park, Harmonie German Club, Kowen Forest, Stromlo Forest Park.
We thank the Moira Whiteside Orienteering Bequest and Orienteering Australia for financial support of the Carnival.

Now the whole Orienteering ACT Team and community can relax a bit and enjoy great memories of the Carnival:)!

The post 2024 Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Carnival in Canberra is Successfully Over! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

The final updated version of Bulletin 3 has now been published.

Updated Bulletin 3 is available here

Championship entries have now closed, however limited entry on the day will be available at each of the five events for Carnival Classes only: Beginner, Explorer, Adventurer, Score. See the bulletin for details.

The organising team looks forward to seeing you at tomorrow’s Warm-Up Score event!

The post Final Bulletin for 2024 Australian MTBO Carnival and Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Among the final roles and tasks to fill:

Please see the list below and email with your Available Time / Role to Marina.Iskhakova@gmail.com

• Parking and Traffic Marshals: FRI 18th OCT, 17:00-19:00, MASS, STROMLO – 2 people
• Parking and Traffic Marshals: SAT 19th OCT, 8:00-12:00, MIDDLE, JERRABOMBERRA – 3 people
• Gate Marshals: SUN 20th OCT, 7:30-10.00; 10-12:30; 12:30-16, LONG, KOWEN – 3 people
• Kids Tent: SAT 19th OCT, 13:30-15:30, SPRINT, SUTTON ROAD – 1 person
• Kids Tent: SUN 20th OCT, 8:30-12:30, LONG, KOWEN – 1 person
• Controls collection: THURS 17th 19.00-19:30, WARM-UP, BRUCE RIDGE – 4 people
• Controls collection: SAT 19th OCT, 16:00-16:30, SPRINT, SUTTON ROAD – 2 people
• Controls collection: SUN 20th OCT, 13:30 – 15:00, LONG, KOWEN – 4 people
• Start Team: THURS 17th, 16:30-18:00, WARM-UP, BRUCE RIDGE – 1 person
• Start Team: FRI 18th OCT, 16:00-17:00, MASS, STROMLO – 3 people
• Start Team: SAT 19th OCT, 8:00-10:30, MIDDLE, JERRABOMBERRA – 3 people
• Start Team: SAT 19th OCT, 13:30-15:30, SPRINT, SUTTON ROAD – 3 people
• Start Team: SUN 20th OCT, 8:00-10:30, LONG, KOWEN – 3 people

The most updated list with your name and task will be placed here:
https://mtbo2024.iskh.me/02.people.html

Here is the precise Schedule of the Carnival with all indicated Volunteer tasks:
https://mtbo2024.iskh.me/01.schedule.html

Every Volunteer will get a chance to ride the course if they prefer.
Each Volunteer will get a T-Shirt, a cool Icon Water steel water bottle and MTBO Thank you Certificate!

Thank you very much again for your big support of MTBO and being a part of a big celebration of MTBO in Canberra!
Marina Iskhakova, Carnival Director

The post Dear OACT Orienteers, MTBO Carnival Needs You!!! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Entry Fees are Very Affordable:
ONLY $10/event for all teenagers under 21 and seniors 75+!
Only 10 days left to enter the largest MTBO Carnival in the Southern Hemisphere! Enjoy great courses, fantastic competition, and spectacular terrain, and make your mark on Australian MTBO history in Championship or Carnival classes. The only two National MTBO Carnivals took place in the ACT in 2003 and 2013. This is the first return of this major MTBO event in a decade.

With over 150 entries already in, this is the largest gathering of MTBO riders Canberra has ever seen!

Join the thrilling atmosphere and experience the Carnival from the inside!
Every OACT Rider Matters – Support your local, fun, and exciting MTBO Carnival!

Participants from six states have entered:
NSW (25), VIC (23), ACT (28), QLD (23), WA (4), TAS (5), as well as the largest number from NZ (41), and 2 from the UK!

Every ACT Participant Matters! Support the OACT MTBO Carnival – every entry counts, whether you participate in all five events or just one.

Get your entries in:
Enter Now via Eventor

The OACT MTBO Team looks forward to welcoming you to this vibrant celebration of Mountain Bike Orienteering in Canberra!

The post Support the OACT MTBO Carnival – every entry counts!!! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Bulletin 3 is available here

A reminder that the late entries close on 13 October. Limited entry on the day will be available only to carnival classes.
Late registration for the Carnival Presentation Dinner closes 8 October.

Enter Now via Eventor

We are thrilled to have over 150 entries, including more than 40 entries from New Zealand and 2 from the UK!

Accommodation Partner

Alivio Tourist Park is the Carnival Accomodation Partner and will provide a 15% discount for all interstate and overseas participants.
Min booking 2 nights and offer is available for all mountain bike orienteers from April until November.
Please book here using the exclusive code “MTBO” and book in advance.

View the carnival website and share the Australian MTBO Carnival Facebook page with your friends!

Orienteering ACT MTBO Team

The post Bulletin 3 Available for 2024 Australian MTBO Carnival and Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Every week we are getting a question: “Can I take part in the Australian MTBO Carnival if I’m a foot orienteer but never tried MTBO before?”. Our answer, is “Yes, absolutely!” This year’s Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Carnival in Canberra 17-20 October 2024 is super Family, Kids and Beginners friendly. We will have many Beginner classes with shorter and simpler courses, allowing everyone to try MTBO and enjoy the experience. Based on many requests, we are providing 10 key tips for Foot Orienteers who decided to embark on MTBO adventure.

1. Secure a Mountain Bike.
   If you don’t own a bike, we are working with several hiring companies in Canberra that will hire out bikes to our participants (their details will be provided at the Bulletin). For these events, you can’t use a road bike or city bike; at minimum you need a simple mountain bike or gravel bike. You can also use an electric bike, and we will have separate classes for eBikes, which are becoming more and more popular.

   
2. Map Board, Helmet, Compass, and SI-Air.
   A helmet is mandatory and must be worn for each event; bike hiring companies will hire out helmets along with the bikes. You also need a map board attached to the handle bar (for convenient map reading, recommended), a compass (recommended), and SI-Air (mandatory as MTBO uses SI-Air only punch units with 1.5 meter range). Map boards and SI-Airs are available for hire and can be included in your registration on Eventor as extra Service or purchased from O-Suppliers directly before the Carnival.
   
3. One Day or All Days?
   You are welcome to participate in just one event or thoroughly enjoy all five Carnival events. Each event has separate results, and they are not combined. The Sprint event is the shortest event to start with, while the Middle event is the most technically challenging in terms of map and course complexity. The Long event challenges physically, but is simpler in terms of navigation. The Mass Start event is the most nerve-wracking and exciting. We will have eight carnival classes at each event, providing simpler and more fun courses for each format. So just try it!
   
4. Solo or Pairs?
   You are welcome to participate solo or in pairs. All championship classes allow only solo participants, but in carnival classes, we invite people to start together and race as a pair or team—with your kids, parents, partners, friends, colleagues, or other MTBOers you meet on a day.

   
5. How can I practice more MTBO beforehand?
   That is a really good question! In each state, you will find several scheduled MTBO events between April and October. Take part in them. The VIC MTBO Championships, QLD MTBO Championships, NSW MTBO Championships are all scheduled before October 17-20, so take advantage of this terrific opportunity to try MTBO and come to the Carnival even more prepared!

   
6. What if I’m really bad on a Bike but want to try MTBO?
   That’s not a problem! We recommend that you start practicing mountain bike riding in your local MTB parks and simple single tracks. When you feel more confident on a bike, turn to a local MTBO event and start challenging yourself by adding map-reading and navigation tasks on a go.
But the first advice, just try it!
   
7. What if I’m excellent on a bike but struggle with map reading in Foot-O?
   No need to worry! MTBO maps are simpler and, if riding at moderate speeds with many stops, are easier and faster for beginners to learn. All controls are located on roads or trails, so you don’t have to understand everything off-track. It is much easier to negotiate a road network rather than a complex terrain. You may find that you enjoy MTBO even more than Foot-O. At higher speeds and at higher international levels, MTBO map reading becomes very complex and intense.

   
8. Do you welcome Foot Orienteers and Beginners?
   Yes, absolutely! The Australian MTBO Carnival warmly welcomes all Foot Orienteers and Beginners to the sport! We see Foot-O and MTBO as complementary sports that can co-exist, allowing individuals to practice and improve in both sports simultaneously, while enjoying more variety, diversity, and adventurous spirit!

   
9. What if I would enjoy MTBO very much and want to continue?
   That’s excellent! It’s highly probable that this will be the case. We have around 6-10 MTBO events a year in each state—ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD, WA (about 40-50 events a year Australia-wide)—and an annual Australian National MTBO Championship. So, you will be warmly welcomed at each of these events!

   
10. If after reading these tips, I’m pumped and really want to give MTBO a try?
    Excellent! We are thrilled! Go to the Eventor page of the Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Carnival & Championships in Canberra from October 17-20, 2024, choose the events, register, and read points 5 and 9 again. And we will be very glad to see you in Canberra soon!

The post 10 Tips for Beginners Participating in Their First Mountain Bike Orienteering Carnival appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Only 38 days left, enter the largest MTBO Carnival in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoy the great courses, fantastic competition, spectacular terrain and add your name to the Australian MTBO History in Championships or Carnival Classes.

The only two National MTBO Carnivals took part in ACT only in 2003 and 2013, this is the first return of the main MTBO event of the year in a decade.
We already got more than 120 entries in and this is the largest number of MTBOers, Canberra ever have seen!
Join the thrilling atmosphere and look at the Carnival from the inside!

We already got participants from 6 states: NSW (22), VIC (20), ACT (20), QLD (14), WA (4), TAS (2) and the highest number of MTBOers from NZ (30).
Every ACT Participant does matter! Let us support a local carnival and let us become the highest participating State!

Get your entries in: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/19101

ENTRY FEES ARE EXTREMELY FRIENDLY: ONLY $10 / day for all teenagers under 21 and all seniors 75 and above!

OACT MTBO Team is very much looking forward to welcoming you at the vibrant Celebration of Mountain Bike Orienteering in Canberra!

The post Standard Entries close tonight for 2024 AUS MTBO Carnival – enjoy your first AUS MTBO Carnival! appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Bulletin 2 is available here

Bulletin 2 contains more details on our new Partners and Sponsors, a brief overview of the competition terrains, and many important logistic details.

Accommodation Partner

Alivio Tourist Park is the Carnival Accomodation Partner and will provide a 15% discount for all interstate and overseas participants.
Min booking 2 nights and offer is available for all mountain bike orienteers from April until November.
Please book here using the exclusive code “MTBO” and book in advance.

Enter Now via Eventor

We are very glad to already have over 50 entries for each event, including more than 20 entries from New Zealand MTBOers!
Get your entries in, we are restricted to the first 250 entries.

View the carnival website and share the Australian MTBO Carnival Facebook page with your friends!

We wish you excellent training and preparation for the Carnival and Championships and look forward to seeing you in 190 days in Canberra!

Orienteering ACT MTBO Team

The post Bulletin 2 Available for 2024 Australian MTBO Carnival and Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.

Juniors under 21 and Masters 75 and over are especially welcomed with additional entry fee discounts.

Enter Now via Eventor

2024 Australian MTBO Carnival and Championships site is here

Bulletin 1 is available here

The post Early Entries Closing Soon for Australian MTBO Carnival and Championships appeared first on Orienteering ACT.