Philip Elworthy

Profiled  December 2017

Number of years orienteering?
My first exposure to orienteering was the rogaine series in 2015 which got me hooked and I started doing the Auckland orienteering series in 2016.

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Like many others I got into orienteering through my son Henry doing orienteering at school. His interest and enjoyment of the sport led us to enter as a team into a rogaine event and from there I was hooked. Now the whole family is into it. As a forester there is nothing more humbling than being completely and utterly lost in a forest!!

Key orienteering achievements to date?
My greatest orienteering achievement to date has been competing at the World Masters Orienteering Champs 2017. It seemed like too great an opportunity to miss out on so despite my inexperience I decided to have a go as who knows when such an event will be held on our door step again. It was a fantastic experience to be a part of and amazing to meet so many people who had travelled so far to compete. The courses were technically very challenging for me which I enjoyed and I ended up getting a 3rd in the Men's 45 B final.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To keep improving and to master those key orienteering skills that can only be learned by entering as many events as possible and getting advice and tips from the vast experience and talent we are lucky to have at NWOC.

Favourite map and why?
The Rototoa map used for the Oceania 2017 Long is a great map because of the variety of terrain and vegetation. It certainly got the better of me!

Map you have yet to experience but aspire to orienteer on?
Every new map is a challenge for me so a new experience.

Orienteering hero?
At WMOC 2017 I was inspired by Carsten Joergensen who seemed to be able to effortlessly fly through all of the courses. Also a nod to Mike Beveridge who does so much for schools orienteering and as a consequence draws in so many others into this great sport.

Day job?
I am a forest engineer by training and currently work for a forestry company purchasing forests for harvest.

Other interests?
In addition to orienteering our family spends a lot of time sailing, boating and fishing - any excuse to get out onto the water in whatever craft is going.

Next >