Oceania Long Distance 5/10/19

The Oceania Long Distance event at Kangaroo Crossing started with a long uphill walk (2km) to the start. You can see it on my map below.

We had a quiz to do on the way, which helped to take our mind off of the long walk, but it was really humid, so we were all wringing with perspiration by the time we made it to the start.

The promotion of this event as "one of the best areas in Australia (or maybe the world) for orienteering" had really spooked me and I was convinced that I would run badly.  Warren Key was also the course setter - and I knew he would have done an amazing job (also scary) with many traps laid to get caught in. Because of this , I had chosen to do the W55AS (short) course today (the only time for the carnival)

I was surprised to find myself at number 4 with no real errors (just a bit messy at times) , but then had to make a route choice and commit to it.  All courses had a long route choice across this section of the map , with slight variations in the actual control sites used.   I deliberated briefly, then decided to go down and across the gully and try to pick up the mountain bike tracks shown on the map and allow the creek to lead me in to my control.  This turned out to be a decision for some very hard work, and by the time I was trying to make my way between cliffs on the other side of the gully I was regretting the choice, but committed.  I figured all I could do at that stage was execute the plan as cleanly as possible.

I managed to do this , and then to find all but number 8 pretty cleanly (I wasn't far enough up the creek there) and turned for the finish from 8 feeling very tired and glad that I was running a short rather than my usual long selection.

When I made it back to the finish the results were not working and I wasnt too worried, being well aware of my lousy route choice from 4-5.

Trevor had a late start (last start for all the entered runners) so I knew it would be a while before he made it back to the finish. He was only just starting as I was finishing.

When he came it , it wasn't too long to wait to know that he had come third in this Oceania champs event (his best effort so far) , and as he walked up form the finish to check his results he also found my name at the top of the list!  Despite all, I had managed to win my course today!!

Not many stayed around for the presentations (everyone is getting a bit tired by this stage of the carnival) but we took each other's photo on the podium and patted each other on the back.

Trev coming in to his last control - still looking good

Erica a winner

Trev third place.

We headed back to the loony bin for much needed showers and out to see Julie (my old workmate)
She has done a great job of restoring her historic little cottage and we enjoyed a couple of hours of catching up chatter along with wine and cheese and delicious pate.  I was very glad that I had persevered in trying to get in touch. 

Dinner was with Maurice and Kirsten that night , along with Al, Zita and Kiana.  So we had a bit of a chance to catch up with them as well.  Since they live in ACT and we live in Adelaide, the champs is often a good opportunity to play catch up with those two. It was good to hear about the "almost renovated" house and exciting new job opportunities.  The bangers and mash was as good as recommended by Julie, but we happily shared only one serve after our afternoon feasting.