Link here to Series Points
(Events #4 and #5 cancelled, original numbering maintained.)
The battle for Open Men was decided at Mt Vic today - but not by the expected method. John Randal needed 22.2 points to pass Andrew McLellan; but McLellan had the possibility of improving his worst result by 3.4. That meant even a win by Randal could be countered by (puck, puck, puck) McLellan coming in 2% behind, that's (puck, puck again) about two and a half minutes...
However, McLellan didn't ride, giving Randal the chance of a win and 25 points. Except that a win by someone else could push his points down below the 22.2 he needed. And someone else (in fact two someone elses) did actually ride faster than the former Makara Peak Supporters chairman. Great Divide Race finisher Simon Kennett came in four minutes in front, and showing brilliant riding and navigation, 15-year-old Tom Bradshaw was FIVE minutes ahead.
But not far enough ahead; Randal scored 24.0; and wins the series!
The womens series also had the possibility of an upset, but Hilary Miller stayed away, allowing Lisa Walker to retain her lead in spite of cutting short in the humid conditions. Jenny Cossey was the winner on the day.
The usually well-contested old boys categories were signed and sealed beforehand, planner Mike Fee and Graeme Silcock having unassailable leads. Day winners Ant Bradshaw (fastest on Course 2) and Steve Meeres weren't within reach of the top, though Meeres got within 2.3 points. Jenny Visser, tied up with a SAR conference, had already won Vet Women, and Tom Bradshaw the Schoolboys. But what do you do with a schoolboy who can win Open Men???
Mike Fee's courses zigzagged up and down the city face of Mt Victoria before heading south through a safety control at a pedestrian crossing on Constable St. There were controls around Mt Albert and as far as the new tracks at Houghton Bay, before back across Constable St and a few more near the finish at the velodrome. The courses were on the long side, but visited new areas for many riders. The labyrinth on Mt Vic itself is always a challenge.
Course planner Mike Fee. With help on the day from Michael Wood. Control pickup assisted by Tom and Ant Bradshaw.
Access by kind permission of Wgtn City Council. Participants 24.
(Events #4 and #5 cancelled, original numbering maintained. There will probably be a #7.)
Super, yes, Steve's any-order time event, in the picturesque Maungakotukutuku Valley. Sprint, er, not really, but no-one was complaining on a beautiful spring day, with the tracks in good nick.
In spite of the free choice of order, in the long course (visit 27 controls) the top three riders were within 4 minutes with John Randal on top. An unofficial pair on foot was also within 5 minutes. Course 2 (visit 22 controls) was a bit more spread out; with local D Lopez fastest man on his first MTBO and Jenny Visser the top woman. Second and third fastest times were set by super-vets. Course 3 offered 11 controls up and down the valley close to the bubbling stream.
Steve and Bryce introduced a couple of other twists to the event. Controls could be skipped for a penalty of 10 minutes. Meant to prevent struggling with difficult controls, and give a result for those who had enough, it could also be used strategically. And off-track travel was allowed. While opportunities are limited (and the map doesn't give any indication of travel speed) there were some nifty little shortcuts available.
Results below show the total time, and any penalties in brackets.
Course planners Steve Meeres and Bryce Lorcet. With help on the day from Scott Paterson, Brian Stewart, Michael Wood
Access by kind permission of Maungakotukutuku Valley landowners. Participants 36.
Andrew McLellan narrowly won the open mens field with John Randal and Bryce Lorcet finishing in exactly the same time for second place. Craig Starnes riding Mens Vet was 13 minutes in front of the rest on course 2, with Steve Meeres the wining rider in the Super Vet class tacking second. The top Open Woman was Rachel Ochelford with Jenny Visser winning the WomensVet.
The course planners were pleased to see that almost all of the route choice options they had envisaged were used. One that did not get used as far as they know was the climb up Spoon Hill (the single track behind the start) to get from 231 to 232 on course 2 – well done everyone as the mud would have made this a poor choice.
Course planner Graeme Silcock & Ian McCabe With help on the day from Ann Silcock.
Access by kind permission of Lower Hutt City Council. Great tracks courtesy of Wainuiomata Trail Park Volunteers. - Participants 27.
Cold southerly conditions continuing throughout the day, 30-50mm of rain and winds up to 130kmh, said the forecast. Ferry sailings stopped. Flights cancelled because people were blown over on the tarmac. No chance of tents staying up. As I drove to meet the course planners at Karori Park at 9:15 I was sure they wouldn't have got the last of the controls out, and that we would be retiring to a cosy cafe for a hot drink.
But the sky was surprisingly light as I crested the Karori rise, and hey, I could see Makara Peak! This could be a knife-edge decision. But Andrew McLellan and John Randal took the wind out of my sails: "They're all out; just a couple round Karori Park to do! We'll rejig the courses to leave out the high-up controls. We can set up in the pavilion entrance. Shouldn't be any soccer here today..."
And so it was that 12 riders braved the storm, five of them getting winner's points for their bravery.
And though he didn't win, Claude Dabaliz should get a special award. First of all he came down from Auckland for event one at St Pats. Yesterday he flew in from Auckland for event two. Leaving his bike bag at the airport and with the rest of his possessions on his back he rode via the Tip Track to Makara Peak, and along the Skyline before staying at a hotel. Today rode to the event. Did Course 1. Rode back to the airport. Packed his bike and flew home.
Claude I feel guilty that we didn't look after you better - packing up and getting controls in instead of finding you a hot shower! I think you deserve a special prize and here's what I think is appropriate: free entry to the rest of the Wellington MTBO Series for 2008!
Results
Course planners and . With help on the day from Michael Wood. Access by kind permission of Wellington City Council. Participants 12.
The southerly front that brought snow to the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges fortunately went through in the night leaving a cold but clear day. Magnus Bengtsson's courses cleverly put new route choices in front of riders in the forest, without even using the high part of the map (though there was plenty of climb!) At the same time he provided a course on the riverbank for the younger riders.
Andrew McLellan dealt to the small open mens field in just over 2hrs but course 2 was where the action was. Craig Starnes riding Mens Vet for the first time was 15min in front of the field. In third place Graeme Silcock led the new Super Vet class. The top woman was Hilary Miller.
After their ride participants were able to inspect a product demonstration by a student business project. The product called the "Rack Buddy" turns a bike rack into a self-supporting bike workstation. The boys from HIBS were very professional, with tent, prototype, giveaway drinks and leaflets and we wish them well. If you want to find out more, their business name is
Results
Course planner With help on the day from Lisa Walker and Michael Wood. Access by kind permission of St Pats College and Upper Hutt City Council. Participants 43.