[FoxHunt] USA Wins Medals in at ARDF World Championships

[Homingin at aol.com]

The world championships of ARDF took place in beautiful forests near the 
Adriatic Sea coast of Croatia from September 13-18.   Each participant has two 
competitions, one on two-meters and one on 80 meters.   Over 380 
radio-orienteers from 32 countries took part, including 14 from the USA.   Our team 
members' ages ranged from 25 to 68.

On the first of two competition days, Karla Leach KC7BLA of Bozeman, 
Montana and Ruth Bromer WB4QZG of Raleigh, North Carolina took silver medals in 
the team competition for women over age 60 on the 80-meter band.   They didn't 
actually team up on the course -- that's not allowed.   Everyone must find 
the transmitters individually, with no help.   But their combined scores 
were second only to the Russian team's, and that's how team winners are 
determined.   It's an excellent showing, because the Russians and other east 
Europeans such as Ukrainians and Czechs have been doing this for fifty years and 
they have help from the government and the military.   On the other hand, 
this is only USA's 7th trip to the World Championships.

On the second competition day, George Neal KF6YKN captured a bronze medal 
in the category for men ages 50 through 59 on 80 meters.   This is George's 
second medal for the USA -- he got one two years ago at the World 
Championships in Korea.

Team USA members earned their positions by being the best at the USA 
national championships last year in Boston and last spring near Cincinnati.

Also in Croatia during the second week of September were the First ARDF 
World Championships for the Blind.   This was a separate event with special 
rules for the visually handicapped that takes place on 80 meters.   Among the 
competitors was Dennis Schwendtner WB6OBB of Santa Barbara, California, who 
finished fourth in the category for men over age 50.

More details about the championships are in an article on the ARRL Web 
site:

http://www.arrl.org/news/ardf-update-three-medals-for-team-usa-at-the-2010-a
rdf-world-championships

Also a complete list of team members and many photos of the team in action 
are at www.homingin.com.

73,
Joe Moell K0OV
USA ARDF Coordinator