orienteering 6:20:00 [3] 40.0 km (9:30 / km)
Orienteering section - RockStar
As luck would have it, we picked the same starting controls as the only team in front of us. After a 15 minute trail run we passed them in the first marsh and they never caught us again.
We did way more bushwhacking than I was expecting for a RockStar event. Vince and I aren't the fastest runners around, but I'm pretty sure we can plough through thick woods as fast as anyone.
We cleared the east section, then the south section. No nav errors. Perhaps wasted some time trying to follow a trail that was basically non-existent. We eventually discovered that hiking along the marsh 200m to the north that ran for 5k was much faster.
Vince was careful with an ankle he turned at AS, but never slowed.
Back to the hub with 2.5 hours left, it was a dicey call whether to head north and try and get the 3 far controls that would have been our only chance at clearing the course. With the stiff penalty for being late, we opted to do all the controls around the lake.
As it turned out we had 0.5 hours left over, probably could have got out and back from the north, dropping a few around the lake that were worth much less. We were worried that Tarno's team might have headed north and possible got more points, but like us, they opted not to risk it.
Got some cramps in my legs getting into the boat and in a few of the marshes with the high leg lifts. Can't remember the last time I cramped like that, not fun. Not sure whether to attribute it to inadequate salt/fluid or just working hard. In any case, it wasn't bad enough to stop moving.
Back of my mind goal was to clear the course, but it would have taken a monumental effort. Our nav was bang on, but so much bushwhack, swamp walk, didn't have the pace to clear it.
All in all a good day, really enjoy racing with Vince - we don't say much but we work well together and are even-strengthed in the disciplines, so it is very smooth.