Name: Ella Cuthbert

Age: 13 years 

Age: 13

How I started: I first started doing Orienteering as a main sport when my mum took my sister and I to an event in the Australian Championships when it was in the A.C.T. She put us on a course, then found out it was a hard course, but we were already out in the bush. I made it around ok, after getting lost on one control, I learnt my lesson not to follow people! My sister on the other hand, got so lost that she eventually found a track and after countless hours of walking, managed to find her way back to the assembly area!

Best Orienteering Memory: I have so many awesome orienteering memories throughout my time Orienteering. The best one would have to be the memory of last years Schools National Relay Championships in Ballarat. I was in a team with my teammates and good friends (Caitlin Young and Zoe Melhuish). The best part was running (actually sprinting) with Caitlin, trying to run in with Zoe down the finish shut with the A.C.T flag. We could barely keep up even though we were running half the last leg with her! 

Favorite Orienteering map: I love all of them!

Team History: I have been in the schools team in 2014 and 2015. I also made the All Australian (Honors) team in 2015. 

Family Orienteering story: My family wasn’t really that keen on Orienteering until I started. We did quite a few rogaines and the occasional Orienteering event whenever it was close to home. Once I started dad (Paul Cuthbert) started doing more and more, and I dragged my mum (Tara Sutherland) out and from then on she loved it, my sister is more of a mountain biker! 

Life outside Orienteering: My family does quite a bit of mountain biking, as my sister is very keen, so I tag along. We also recently discovered bike polo, so that is part of the schedule as well. We do quite a bit of overnight hiking and other outdoorsy sports like rock climbing etc. occasionally.