Meet the Bivouac Southerly Storm. A well travelled group of orienteers, who are almost all based in Christchurch. Despite some setbacks lately with earthquake related damage to maps and training routes (not to mention house damage) they will still be formidable come this years races. Traditionally strong in a variety of terrain they will have runners near the head of the field throughout the year. Below are some brief introductions of some of the runners competing for the Storm this year.
Chris Forne:
Currently ranked no.1 orienteer in Oceania, Chris is back in NZ after living and orienteering for 3 years in Trondheim Norway. Chris is the current world rogaining champion, and has previously held the world adventure race champs title, with team Nike. He has also won national titles and represented NZ at the world champs in both MTBO and Ski-O. Now supposedly a veteran, he hopes to keep those youngsters in their place.
Tane Cambridge:
Has worked at Tait Communications the past 2 years to fund his orienteering habit. Often seen up and down the country traveling to any orienteering he can get his hands on! Represented NZ at the past two World champs in Sprint and Middle distance and currently the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and South Island Long distance champion. Does a bit of running when not Orienteering and raced at the National Cross country champs last year.
Georgia Whitla:
All-round navigator in foot-o, MTBO and rogaines; 2008 world junior mixed champion in rogaining (with Tim Farrant). 3rd open women (with Fleur Lattimore) in the 2010 world rogaine champs. First year graduate engineer with lots of orienteering potential.
Selena Metherel:
Has been a JWOC team member for the last 2 years in a row and has been part of a few successful NZ school team raids against the Aussies. Though still in the Junior Superseries she will no doubt push some of the older elites hard.
Michael Adams:
Is the running training guru in NZ orienteering and uses this knowledge to improve his own and other athletes running. Has competed at the World Orienteering Champs in 2009 and 2011 narrowly missing out of the long distance final. Now based in Auckland, he has been dominating the Off Road running scene in the northern city.
Al Richardson:
Has been orienteering since 2007, from then onwards he has won 19 Canterbury titles and 16 South Island titles (in various age grades and events). Raced for the NZ schools team in 2009, 2010 and 2011, aiming to compete at JWOC in both 2012 and 2013. Also has a background in Cross-country, Athletics and Sprint Kayaking. Watch for some breakthrough runs this season
Carsten Jorgensen:
Former Danish National Team Athlete with 1 World Championship gold medal in relay and 4 individual top 7 places (best: Bronze) is now again training hard and very motivated to keep the young ones behind and loves going hard out in all the orienteering he can get close to in New Zealand. He is also a former European Cross Country Champion.
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