Orienteering race 1:09:08 [4] 5.0 mi (13:50 / mi)
(injured)
Oceania Day 6, Smedley (Hawkes Bay). M45L, 6.0km.
Achilles gradually deteriorating so resorted to the NZ wonder-drug Voltaran and it worked amazingly.
Mainly open farmland, but with steep river valleys full of native bush and steep cliffs. Course mostly in the steep valleys, making for interesting route choice. It was even hotter (30+ degrees). The organisers had decided to send me, A C-W, Martin and Al Landels off at 2 mins intervals. I was last to start and was very surprised to catch Al L at no 1. I should then have stuck with him as he went on to win! Stupidly instead I set off to try and catch my 4 min man! I got confused by the bends in the river at no 5 and Al got away. I then struggled in the heat and eventually finished 5th, very surprised to be only 3.5 mins down on Al.