Harvester Leg 1 for NOC - Tilgate Forest
Not the biggest mass start - 13 teams.
Struggled to find the start on the map for some time but still managed to be first to my #1. Clean through to #5 and now on my own (though seemingly shorter gaffle compared to some).
#6 Looked potentially tricky - chose straight but drifted N to path. Back in only to lead in chasing runner [80]
At my #7 (#74) the gaffles reconverged and was relieved / surprised that I was only just behind Jegor (FVO).
With him through the radio control on the bridge before gaffles diverged again at #9.
#10 No obvious attackpoint; came out on the ride back with Jegor but we found his gaffle on the knoll first and he got away [40]
#11 Ran hard to try to make contact again / get away from chasers who had closed in, but lost contact mid route and ended up bashing through vegetation [45]
#13 Saw BAOC guy near here on different gaffle - I was still ahead at this stage.
#14 Small miss south of feature - rushing navigation [30]
#15 Hit this well - 90s behind FVO at this stage.
#16 Seemingly on wrong path in retrospect and ended up having to bash through bracken. Lucky not to lose more time [70]
#18 Spotted BAOC ahead here and had got ahead by the following control.
#20 Running with BAOC - too fast - and ran past control [100]
#21 Different route to BAOC slightly, but I was confused by extra small paths and he got there ahead [30]
#23 Slightly too far north [20]
#24 Saved the biggest mistake to last... Again, pushing the pace, didn't see any 'fight' vegetation and massively overshot. BAOC got past and SYO snuck through too! [180]
7 minutes down in fourth place, with 10mins lost. Not particularly happy!
First time running first leg - not convinced - liked knowing when I was starting in a way, but prefer having a lonely run and the excitement of being awoken in the night!
Team finished 7th in the end.
https://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/results-a...http://www.so.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#303&cours...