A0040409P

Newsletter Number 92, October 2003

PO Box 3,
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
61-3-95721784 fax
E-mail: Neil Phillips

IRF Team

President: Neil Phillips
World Rogaining Championships Manager: Gordon Birch
Promotions and Development: vacant
Secretary/Treasurer: Rod Phillips

Czech Republic: Jaroslav Vavra, Miroslav Seidl
Finland: Iiro Kakko
New Zealand: Pete Squires
Canada: Alan Stradeski
United States of America: Eric Smith, Clinton Morse, Bob Reddick
Australia: Rod Phillips, Gordon Birch, John Berwick, Neil Phillips
Founders Representative: Bob Reddick

Observer status
Estonia: Andres Kaar
New Zealand: Michael Wood
Sweden: Lars-Åke Svenk
Russia: German Shestakov, Sergey Yaschenko
China: Jianping Zhang
South Africa: Pieter Mulder
6th WRC: Peg Davis
7th WRC: Andy Mein

Welcome second Russian observer

Sergey Yaschenko joins the IRF as the second Russian observer, complimenting the active role German Shestakov has played promoting the sport particularly around the city of Perm. Sergey comes from Moscow, 1000 km west of Perm, was a participant in the 4th World Rogaining Championships in the Czech Republic, and expect to attend the next WRC in Arizona. He was introduced to rogaining by Vladimir Gusiatnikov, and has been a top-class cross-country navigator for many years.

New South Wales Rogaining Association - 20th anniversary

The New South Wales Rogaining Association was formed in 1983, and their first newsletter of November 1983 records a nucleus of keen rogainers including Jeremy Challacombe, Bert and Dianne van Netten, Ian Dempsey and Peter and Robyn Tuft. Several are still active in rogaining today.

7th World Rogaining Championships: New South Wales, Australia

New South Wales Rogaining association has accepted the offer from the IRF to stage the 2006 World Rogaining Championships in eastern Australia. They are now in the process of seeking support from their state government with the backing of both the IRF and the Australian Rogaining Association. Andy Mein, president of NSWRA, is the current IRF contact.

6th World Rogaining Championships

Date: 8-9th May 2004 in Arizona, USA.
WRC Manager: Gordon Birch
6WRC Co-ordinator: Peg Davis
http://rogaine.tucsonorienteering.org/
Site of WRC: Mogollon Rim

Mogollon Rim
Stretching from just southwest of Flagstaff to the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, the Mogollon Rim marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. It extends across an entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky edge to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix. Sightseeing is a favourite activity along the Rim, but this forest area also features a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers.

The Mogollon Rim is known for its stands of ponderosa pine, which comprise the largest ponderosa pine forest in the United States. Pinetop sits atop the Mogollon Rim; the altitude is about 6,000 feet.

6WRC Arizona

Quirky characters, colorful towns, and historical events of western Arizona come to life.

Experience the majesty of northern and central Arizona on this splendid loop tour. Departing from Phoenix, you'll travel through the center of the state on your journey to one of the seven wonders of the natural world - the Grand Canyon. Along the way, you'll hear tales of ancient civilizations, Mountain Men, Honky Tonks and more. This tour is recommended for travelers planning to spend 2-3 days touring the state.

The natural splendor of Arizona awaits you on a tour from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. This tour includes many points of interest:
- The Valley of the Sun
- The Bells of Arcosanti
- Fort Verde
- Montezuma's Castle
- Historic Clarkdale and Jerome
- Sedona's Red Rocks
- Winding Your Way to Flagstaff
- Sunset Crater and the Painted Desert
- Little Colorado and the Grand Canyon
- William's "Mountain Men", Route 66
- Honky Tonkin' in Prescott
- Yarnell Vista Point
- Dude Ranches of Wickenburg
- Trail's End at Sun City.

South African rogaining

Pieter Mulder and his colleagues from the Rand Orienteering Club have started preparations for the second Capestorm Rogaine, to be held at what used to be called the Belfast state forest, presently owned by the Komatiland Forest Company who continue to be very supportive of South African orienteering.

The planned dates are Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 March 2004 for a 6 or 8 hour Rogaine on Saturday, followed by a 4-6 hour Mountain Bike Rogaine on Sunday.

David Stephens' resignation

David Stephens has announced his resignation from the IRF Promotion and Development position ending a leadership role with the IRF that dates back to the Federation's founding in 1989. A rogaining enthusiast who had just joined the sport at that time, David quickly saw the potential for the sport, and asked some key questions: "why not have an international organization", "why not have a World Rogaining Championships", and "how do we engender some uniformity of rules internationally". Addressing the questions has been an important role of the IRF, and has been fundamental to the path followed by rogaining since 1989. In the early days of the IRF, David made his company office available for Richard Matthews and myself to meet with him and craft what was to become the IRF's first strategic plan: many of its components are still important today. Thank you, David, for your contribution to rogaining.

A secret is out

Appended to the bottom of a recent email (from a non-rogainer):

"The experience of a full moon at the break of dawn opens a Man's heart to his Universe in ways Science and Religion may not."