The 2026 Australian Schools Orienteering Championships (ASOC) commenced today at Orana Steiner School with the Sprint Distance event, attracting more than 150 students from across Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Although small and seemingly straightforward, the Orana Steiner campus was transformed into a deceptively complex sprint arena through the addition of temporary barriers. These created unexpected route choices, closed off seemingly obvious passages and demanded constant concentration, with competitors needing to read ahead and make quick decisions at speed.
The racing was exceptionally tight, with multiple podium places decided by only seconds, including 2 one-second winning margins and several tied results.
| Class | ASOC (Australian placings) | Southern Cross Junior Challenge (Australian and New Zealand placings) |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Girls | 🥇 Ella Clauson (TAS) 14:37 🥈 Alexandra Edwards (QLD) 15:21 🥉 Mira Walter (ACT) 15:48 | =🥇 Zara Toes (Karahiwi) 14:15 =🥇 Greta Prince (Harua) 14:15 🥉 Niamh Hoare (Harua) 14:24 |
| Senior Boys | 🥇 Rory Shedden (NSW) 13:42 🥈 Hayden Dent (ACT) 13:43 🥉 Matty Maundrell (ACT) 13:55 | 🥇 Rory Shedden (NSW) 13:42 🥈 Hayden Dent (ACT) 13:43 🥉 Matty Maundrell (ACT) 13:55 |
| Junior Girls | 🥇 Tessa Radajewski (ACT) 13:00 🥈 Lydia Stott (VIC) 13:19 🥉 Tiffany Palmer (NSW) 14:12 | 🥇 Tessa Radajewski 13:00 (ACT) =🥈 Tamsyn McCamish (Karahiwi) 13:19 =🥈 Lydia Stott (VIC) 13:19 |
| Junior Boys | 🥇 Ben Mansell (ACT) 11:58 🥈 Archie Brownlie (WA) 12:21 🥉 Euan Shedden (NSW) 12:27 | 🥇 Ben Mansell (ACT) 11:58 🥈 Alfie Cochrane (Karahiwi) 11:59 🥉 Archie Brownlie (WA) 12:21 |
Tomorrow the competition moves to Mount Ainslie for the Long Distance Championships, where competitors will trade the compact sprint terrain for steep eucalypt slopes. The longer climbs and descents will place a premium on endurance, careful route choice and maintaining accurate navigation while under physical pressure.
Photos
You can view photos from the ASOC Sprint via the link below. Please credit the photographer when sharing these photos!
Official photographers for the Carnival are Tom de Jongh (photosbytom) and Kelvin Meng (photosinsitu.com). Other Orienteering Australia certified photographers have also contributed to our albums for the Carnival. Check for the photographer’s name at the bottom left of each photo.
Results
Official results for the ASOC Sprint Distance Championship and Flight of the Bogong Day 1 on Eventor.
