PO Box 3, Newsletter Number 51, August 1999
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
neil.phillips@bigpond.com, 61-3-95721784 fax
President: Neil Phillips4th World Rogaining Championships update
Entries for the 4th World Rogaining Championships in South Island, New Zealand have now passed 200, with teams from USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Denmark, Australia, Finland and New Zealand. If you are still undecided about attending 4WRC, remember that this is an outstanding opportunity to build a memorable trip to New Zealand around a major rogaine. Entries need to reach Dave Laurie shortly at 13a Bowenvale Ave, Christchurch 2, NZ. New Zealand has a considerable history of extended walking competitions including their twalk and mountain marathons. However, it was the Most Awesome Rogaine in Calgary, Canada that really kicked off rogaining in New Zealand, leading to their successful bid for the 2000 event. Date of 4WRC: 15-16th January 2000.
Book
Since the last IRF Newsletter, the third book on the sport of rogaining has been completed and will be out in time for Christmas. A book launch is planned for Thursday 21st October sponsored by ORIA, to which IRF members are invited. 'Rogaining' will be available at the Australian Rogaining Championships in late October. This will be an important event promoting rogaining in Victoria and will include appearances from Kathy Watt, Olympic cycling gold medallist and former rogainer, and Nigel Aylott current world rogaining champion.
This book is a substantial revision of the previous edition published in 1989 at a time when the IRF was being formed. The forthcoming edition has new case histories from leading rogainers, and adds the dimension of the sport's growth in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Czech Republic, other parts of Europe, and Australian states. It will complement Costigan's 'Organizing a rogaine' which remains the benchmark for organizers of new rogaines.
A special thanks to all contributors of articles, for advice, proof reading, and selected lists of rogaining events. Shortly, books will be available through retail outlets, or through the IRF at the above address and other rogaining associations at a rogainer's discount.
An update of the rules of championship rogaining by the Australian Rogaining Association is virtually complete, and these will form the basis of the rules for 4WRC.
NT rogaine
The recent 24 hour rogaine in the Northern Territory marks a new phase in the growth of rogaining. Ninety entrants attended this rogaine despite it being based in Darwin where there was no history of rogaining and a significant travel distance to any established rogaining node. This has to be one of the more remote centres of rogaining with no Australian town of 40,000 people within 1000 km of Darwin (itself only 80,000 people), and 4-5 hours by air for most of the 30 interstate visitors. I met with organizers several weeks before the rogaine and they tentatively canvassed the idea of a NT Rogaining Association. NTRA has now got off to a strong start and we welcome John Ulrichsen as their first president. John can be contacted at 47 Bougainvillea St, Nightcliff, Northern Territory, Australia 0810, awju@ozemail.com.au . NTRA has planned a metro rogaine early in 2000, and another 24 hour rogaine during their cool season in the middle of 2000.
Much of this quick success forming a new association can be traced back to the network of rogaining contacts now available through the Australian rogaining structure (i.e. the ARA) enabling virtually instantaneous advice on issues to do with running a rogaine in a new area, and publicizing the event to everyone who might be interested in attending a first-up rogaine.
5th World Rogaining Championships
In the last Newsletter it was announced that voting for 5WRC was in favour of a Czech rogaine in 2002. It is not too early to start thinking about 5WRC whether as a competitor, or via assistance during the planning stage. Once 4WRC is over, the lead up to 5WRC will begin in earnest. The likely date for 5WRC is late July 2002.
The subject of a controller for this rogaine to liaise with the Czech organizing team has already been raised informally, and will be formalized after the meeting of the Australian Rogaining Association in October.
6th World Rogaining Championships
There have been informal interest in holding 6WRC in 2004. The IRF will not call for formal expressions of interest until after 4WRC in early 2000, but it is well worth initiating discussions early and using 4WRC to canvas opinion and support. Australian proposals need to come through the Australian Rogaining Association and early discussion at the forthcoming Australian Rogaining Championships would be valuable.
Neil Phillips, President IRF
ROGAINING
Cross country navigation
By Neil Phillips and Rod Phillips
On behalf of Outdoor Recreation In Australia and the International Rogaining Federation, you are cordially invited to our
Book launch
Thursday 21st October 1999
1 Coppin St East Malvern 3145
7.00-9.00pm, snacks and drinks provided.
Guest of honour will be:
Kathy Watt, Olympic gold medallist and top-class rogainer
Also present will be Nigel Aylott, current world rogaining champion, and
senior members of the Australian rogaining fraternity (many in readiness to leave for the 20th Australian Rogaining Championships the following morning).
RSVP would be appreciated to assist with numbers.
Jane Phillips
Phone 61-3-9572 2425
Fax 61-3-9572 1784