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GREAT LEGS
Surfing the Map
Kelland Road, New Zealand – 2004 Elite Test Match #1
Runners on the M21E course were presented with this challenging route choice after already competing for over an hour on the steep coastal grazing lands south-west of Auckland. The terrain allowed for fast running, except for numerous fence crossings (not marked on the map), stiff headwinds and many energy-sapping climbs. Approaching control 23, Bushrangers team member, Simon Goddard, was caught by 3 minutes by a New Zealand team member. Wanting to try to make this time back up, Goddard decided on a radical route choice down the cliffs to the coast. He estimated the total climb to be similar and the map reading would be easier, so he could simply just put his head down and run fast. Unfortunately for Goddard, there was no beach at the base of the cliffs. The tide was up, and he spent much of his time wading and dodging the crashing waves. He almost lost his map a couple of times in the surf! Once he decided to ascend the cliffs, he had trouble once more negotiating the unmarked thick vegetation. The mappers had never thought of orienteers running up and down the coastal cliffs, so had not spent much time with marking the detail on that part of the map! This one route choice decision certainly cost Goddard much valuable time. Apart from this one decision he had an otherwise good run.
Control 23 to 24 TIME TOTAL
––– Bruce Arthur (VIC) 15.31 1.41.42 ––– Craig Dufty (WA) 16.40 1.41.52 ––– Simon Goddard (VIC) 25.24 1.52.32
Rock Fest at Barrambogie
Mt Barrambogie, Victoria – Queen’s Birthday, Day 2, Badge event
Day 2 of this year’s QB3 ventured into Victoria, to re-visit the site of last year’s Australian Championships. There was healthy competition in most classes, with good representation from Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. Interesting courses were set by Rob Lewis and Michael Magasanik. All of the courses avoided the steep slopes that were used at last year’s championships. Perhaps they are being saved for the 2005 Victorian Championships. Here are some great legs from the M21A course.
