PIRIE FAST IN FOREST

The 1956 Olympic silver medallist D. A. G Pirie (Pupuke) thrashed a very powerful field to win the elite orienteering race conducted for the New Zealand federation by the Central club in the rugged Maramarua East State Forest yesterday morning.

Pirie, who is the reigning New Zealand champion, covered the densely bushed course of 10 kilometres as the flies, in 1h 48m.

Second was the Auckland harrier representative, B. Shuker (South Auckland) in 2h 16m; and third was the New Zealand representative C. Battley (Pupuke)in 2h 20m.

Only two minutes behind Battley was the New Zealand team captain of the last three years, R. Doherty (South Auckland), who has been off the competitive scene this season.

The national women's champion, Mrs Robyn Davies (Pinelands), staved of a strong challenge from the Commonwealth representative Mrs Val Robinson (Pinelands), both women indicating that they will be determined contestants for the New Zealand team this year against Australia.

As a proof of the unusual nature of the sport, A. Brown (Central), crashed to sixth place.

Although the day drew 112 starters, several international representatives of the past three years did not race and competition for team places during the forthcoming trials will be fierce.

Results. Senior elite: D. A. G. Pirie (Pupuke), 1h 48m, l; B. Shuker (South Auckland), 2h 16s, 2; C. Battley (Pupuke), 2h 20m, 3; R. Doherty (South Auckland), 2h 22m, 4; A. Nicholls (Boy of Plenty), 2h 27m, 5; A. Brown (Central), 2h 28m, 6. Senior B: J. Davies (Pinelands), 2h 9m, 1; P. Hewlett (North Snore), 2h 28m, 2; T. Nuthall (Central) 2h 31m, 3.
Senior C: V. Whitlock (North Shore), 1h 50m, 1.
M17: plus: R. Chandler, 1h 56m, 1.
M15: B. Bridgeman, (Central), 1h 54m, 1.
M12: M. Murphy (Central), 1h 42m, 1.
Women: W19A: R. Davies (Pinelands), 1h 50m, 1; V. Robinson (Pinelends), 2h 21m, 2.
W14: J. Wood (Pinelands) and S. Jones (Central), 47m, equal 1.
Novices: O. Green, 40m, 1; I. Moreley, 42m, 2; D. Rolf 66m, 3.
Groups: Johnson family, 61m 1;
Wayfarers: Scott family (Pinelands), 1h 19m, 1; Mills family (Central), 1h 21m, 2; Nicholls family (Bay of Plenty), 1h 24m, 3.
School Groups: Bishop group (St Stephens College), 36m, 1; Williams (St Stephens), 44m, 2; Johns (S Stephens), 3; Horua (St Stephens), 1h 17m, 4.

Next Sunday, at Totara Park, Manurewa, a beginners' day will be held.