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| 11/07/01: Rehabilitation Still... and meeting with Sponsor Rehabilitation is still underway and there was a premature return to running. The running that got underway a couple of weeks ago has stopped, due to the heavily restricted ankle contributing to other pain. Ros Penfold at Atlas Physiotherapy however continues to do tremendous work. Ben has also started regular sessions with ACT Academy of Sport coach Neville Bleakley to try to restore fitness through pool running at the Australian Institute of Sport. Today, Ben also meet with his sponsor to discuss possibilities for the future. New Balance/BodyAssist offer a number of exciting products that orienteers could definitely benefit from. Look out for more on this in the future. Overseas, the first race for JWOC got underway today, Ben has four athletes competing. Good luck to them. |
| Sunday 29/7/01: WOC starts today While Ben is home in Canberra cross-training and still seeking treatment for his injuries, the international season is in full swing. BJ's 15th in the Junior World Championships was a great result, and one that should act as a precursor to the success eminent in Finland at WOC (see right). Although disappointed with not being there, Ben is excited about the team's prospects. WOC kicks off today with Grant running for Australia in the new Sprint format. The classic final should be really exciting with the first use of GPS tracking technology in an international orienteering event. Finnish broadcasters YLE own the rights to coverage, and will hopefully web-cast the coverage Tuesday evening (Aussie time). This could be a major step to reaching the Olympic Games, especially with Beijing being open about the inclusion of the sport in 2008.. |
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| Wednesday 25/7/01: 1000 Hits to the Fat Rat Homepage! |
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| Thurdsady 2/8/01: Men's Aussie Team 6th at WOC! Led out by Grant Bluett who came back in 2nd, 1second off the lead, Troy de Haas strengthened our position with an awesome run to remain in 2nd. Rob Walter (3rd leg) and Tom Quayle then ran solidly to provide the Aussies with a podium position. On ya boys! |
| 12/8/01: Skinfit to be marketed during the Championship season Skinfit, the Australian makers of performance wear (Tights, Dri-fit tops etc) may seek assistance from Ben to market their gear. In a deal yet to be finalised, Ben is likely to be named in a team of 4-5 Elite Australian Orienteers that will be provided with the task of advertising Skinfit products at various Championship races. In a sponsorship type arrangement, Ben will receive clothing along with financial support to distribute advertsiing material. |
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| 14/8/01: World Games to start, and Ben's back running! The orienteering part of the World Games begin with the individual race on Saturday, and finish with the mixed relay on Sunday. Australia has 4 hopefulls, Natasha Key, Jo Allison, Rob Walter & Grant Bluett And Ben's running! Although very short, and ending in a little pain, Ben ran on Saturday for the first time in weeks. Not too concerned with his fitness due to the cross-training efforts, he would nevertheless like to get back to full running. "It's much better, it [his knee] used to break down after 2 minutes, now I'm up to 15." There is still a long way to go though and the last cortisone treatment is tommorrow. Ben has entered M21AS (the shorter distance) for the Nationals on October 3, and the 3 State Championships which serve as a lead in. Closer to the time Ben may chose to run elites, but running fitness will not likely be up to it. |
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| 17/8/01: World Games start tommorrow, plus updates to my links page The individual orienteering race at the World Games starts tommorrow. It looks like they will post results here. (After or during the racing I am not sure) My links page is now bigger and better, have a look if you haven't for a while. It now incldues many links to famous orienteers websites. |