Final Invitation
35th Orienteering Varsity Match
25-26th February 2006
Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill, Dorking
Dear Varsity Orienteers,
You are cordially invited to attend the 35th Orienteering Varsity Match, which will be held in the South East of England. Please mark the following dates in your calendars:
| February 25 2006 | Individual Event | Leith Hill, Dorking |
| February 26 2006 | Relay Event | Holmbury Hill, Dorking |
The above forests are hereby declared closed!
The areas selected offer both runnable forest and challenging technical contour detail. Leith Hill in particular stands out as perhaps the most technically challenging area in the South East of England. Both areas have been recently re-mapped for the World Cup races held last May.
A brief outline of the orienteering is included below. Further information, including accommodation and social arrangements, is listed below.
Looking forward to seeing you next month,
Phil Marsland
JOK / SLOW
p_marsland@hotmail.com
Event Outlines:
Varsity Match - the "traditional" 3 courses, with the trophies to be decided on the "A" courses:
| Men's A | 8-9km | difficult |
| Women's A, Men's B | 6-7km | difficult |
| Women's B, Men's C | 3-4km | less difficult |
Varsity Match Relay - one relay category, with teams comprising a long (5.5-6km), medium (4-5km) and short (3.5-4km) leg each.
Accommodation and Social
Accommodation has been arranged at the Holmbury St Mary Youth Hostel (location TQ104450). Varsity Match orienteers, alumni and guests will have exclusive access to the hostel from the Friday evening to the Sunday lunchtime. The social will be held on site, and the Varsity Match Relays changeover area will be adjacent to the Hostel. It is a short drive away from the individual event, and features warm showers, beds and ample cooking areas. Accommodation is strictly limited to the number of beds available (52), and will be allocated on a firstcome-first served basis according to entries received. Given that recent Varsity Matches have had approximately 50 attendees, early entry is advisable. The accommodation is unfortunately not especially child-friendly. Please contact me directly if requiring accommodation for children also.
Entry Fees
Entry fees are still tbd, and will collected via CUOC, OUOC, DRONGO, JOK. Please see final details. If more information prior is required prior to entry, please contact the Organiser directly. The accommodation has been booked on a fixed cost basis for the weekend, so anyone wishing to stay on the Friday night in addition to the Saturday is more than welcome to do so.
Start Times
(all tbc . see final details for confirmation)
Saturday - Varsity Match 1100-1300, Alumni and Guests 1300-1430
Sunday - Varsity Match Relay - Mass Start 1030 (depending upon hostel check out time requirements)
Please note that the VM itself should produce great spectator viewing, especially 1200-1300.
Electronic Punching
SportIdent will be used for both events. Please indicate SI number or any requirement to hire SI cards in entries.
Closing Date
E-mail to be received by Monday Feb 13th latest. Any late entry is subject to the availability of maps. Please see also the note regarding availability of accommodation above.
To enter, please e-mail me (subject "VM entry", to p_marsland@hotmail.com) the following information:
- Name
- Club (OUOC/CUOC/DRONGO/JOK/Guest)
- SI card number (or indicate "hire")
- Course (MA, MB, MC, WA, WB)
- Accommodation requirements (F, S, FS, none) (and numbers of people, if not just runners)
- Dietary requirements
- Relay entry required?
Preliminary Travel Directions for Individual Event
Leith Hill Car Park is the Starvealls Car Park on the western side of the competition area at TQ130433. This is a public car park, and gets quite busy on sunny weekend days. There is a small amount of overflow car parking, if necessary, 100m south of this on the other side of the road. The main car park has a 2m height restriction, so minibuses may need to park in the overflow area. Assembly is 400m north of the car park, up the public road.
Please take care - traffic is often at high speeds on sections of this road.
Acknowledgements (excluding JOKers)
- Julie and Ronan Cleary (LOK) for maps, access and advice.
- Simon Ling (MV) for agreeing to step in at late notice to act as Controller for the Individual Event.
- Chris Fry (SLOW) for equipment and printing.
- Plus early entrants for pointing out lots of extra useful stuff!