The Australian Orienteering Championships are taking place this weekend in and around Maryborough, in Queensland. Unfortunately I can't be there again this year - am stuck at home in wet and windy Perth.

Today is the Sprint event in the centre of Maryborough, tomorrow the Long Distance Championships at St Marys, and Sunday the Relay also at St Marys. The web site is at http://www.oq.asn.au/index.php?option=com_...&Itemid=198

Quite a few of the top athletes are out injured or overseas, but this is more than made up for by the return to orienteering (and Australia) of World Champion Hanny Allston. Hanny has been in NZ all year studying, and has competed in a marathon and a half-marathon (winning both), but hasn't been doing much orienteering. Despite this, she should win both the Sprint and Long distance, although WOC team-mates Jo Allison and Kathryn Ewels will provide strong opposition.

Simon Uppill should also win both distances, though he could be challenged by veterans Rob Walter and Grant Bluett in the Long distance event.

The relays should be much closer, with ACT, NSW, Victoria and New Zealand all having their chances in the men. ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand will fight out the women's relay.