Strongest competition was in the open mens category where all riders were bunched between 63 and 85 minutes for the 12km course which covered both the frequently-ridden north block of the forest, and also the south block. For a while it looked like Julian Cox, winner of the pioneering 1998 MTBO event At Waitarere, would take the race with his time of 65-11, but Stephen Holden completed the course 80 seconds faster to take the day. Holden is the inventor of an ingenious mapholder made from an upside-down icecream container. Both men are also foot-orienteers, while biker Craig Starnes led the rest of the pack with 67-28.
Fastest open woman on the 8.5km course two was Jacqui Sinclair, whose family of four made a day trip from New Plymouth specially for the event! The Sinclairs have their sights set on the inaugural NZ MTBO Champs at Hanmer Springs in September, and are determined to get all the experience they can. Jacqui beat Sue Lyttle from Masterton and Julie Williams of Hawkes Bay.
Also on course 2 were the veteran men, with Graeme Silcock (HVMBC) claiming the win with his 78-50, and former orienteer and mountain runner Brian Stewart second on 81-08. This was just ahead of the top junior man Sam Mallard (82-58) whose brother Tom retired under the combined effects of the exertion on top of a cold. Fastest time on the course went to former orienteering development squad member Alex Hood (recreational men) with 67-43.
William Power and Sarah Underwood, recent arrivals in Wellington from Britain, won the 7km course 3 in 93 minutes.
As intended by planners Michael Wood and Brent Hoy, route choice was as important as riding speed, and many of the controls offered tantalising choices, both from the point of view of hill-climbing, and the type of track, shown on the map in 6 categories of ridability. There was no tricky navigation, although many failed to recognise a clearing in the south block which led to a short cut and elimination of a steep climb up to a control from below.
At this early stage in the sport, many riders are still experimenting with the best way to carry map and control card. Some sort of mapholder on the handlebars would have helped with the problem above, and also protected the map from mud, sweat and crumpling which can obliterate vital details. Ask Steven Holden for details of his home-made mapholder, or talk to Michael Wood about the commercial models.
Likewise you need a way to carry your control card so that it can't be lost and is immediately accessible. The cards are made of a tough synthetic paper and a piece of elastic through the hole and round your wrist, as used by foot-orienteers, is a good plan. Or you can tie it to any other part of you, or your bike, as is required on European MTBO events.
The full results are on the HVOC Results Page
and also the
MTBO results Page
The next event in the series will be on June 17 at Tunnel Gully. For more details about MTBO
in New Zealand and worldwide, see the
MTBO Website