The Oceania orienteering championships at Woodhill Forest turned into a family affair with Darren Ashmore taking out the men's title and his sister-in-law Rachel Smith winning the women's elite event.
Ashmore's wife, Rebbeca, twin sister of Smith, came seventh completing an extraordinary achievement for the family.
Both Ashmore and Smith now have their sights firmly set on the August World Championships which will take place in Japan.
"The ultimate goal for the World Championships would be a top 20 place," says Ashmore.
"The base of the sport is in Europe and it is very strong there. A lot of the top competitors at the champs will be pretty much professional and the next lot down are semi-professional.
"A top 20 would be the best result by a male New Zealander ever and I don't think that's impossible. Everything needs to go right for that to happen. Being in Japan it will not favour the Scandinavians. The terrain will be more typically New Zealand."
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
Orienteering: Success is all relative
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.