Stu Lynch won the mens class in a shade under 2 hours, while Victoria Pike beat NZ team member Chris Renhart on Course 2 in 2hrs07. Vet rider Colin Palmer posted the fastest time on the course of 1hr44, while Lisa Mead won course 3 in 2hrs03. Results, including the splits (times for each control for each rider) are on the NWOC website.
Rob comments on the innovation of electronic controls: "Sport-Ident is a relatively new technology and has only been used in Auckland since Easter 03. It provides a really interesting way of working out the best routes between controls, and how much time is lost for whatever reason. The units were programmed to turn off at 3 pm, the course closure time, so for those out after this time we have no splits for the last controls."
And he provides these remarks about route choice, which is a key element in MTB- orienteering. Fish out your map to check on the options. "For course 1, the best routes to no 1 and 2 were to the right. For course 1, 2 and 3 the best way was to the far right (along the black road) for leg 2-3. Leg 3-4 was probably 2 or 3 mins quicker over the small bridge and more direct with heaps less climb. Remember it is quicker to take a gradual climb rather than a steep climb even if the total climb is the same.
"Leg 4-5 was quicker to take the right hand routes. 5-6 was best to the far right and down the single track rather than up. 6-7 on C1 was best to the right. C1 and C2 had the same 8-9 and both ways were similar. C1 10-11 the best way was to the far right and up the main road. For C3 4-5 was similar left or right 5-6 was best to the far right and down the single track. For the leg 10-11 C2 11-12 C1 and 9 -10 C3 I wanted people to go down the single track - Stu Lynch’s 4 mins and Chris Renhardt’s 5:05 were really impressive.
"Hard luck stories go to Mark Lawson who had a succession of flats and ran the last 5 legs with his bike (he won the pump spot prize ) ,and Phil White who was at the furthest point when his chain broke."
Rob has a word about the sponsors of the event, and some advice for the next one. "Many thanks to Victoria from Superb Herbs who offered the very popular prizes, and also to Velo Cycles who gave us a very good deal - ask for Russell and tell him you came from the MTBO. Macnuts is probably the nicest café setting in Auckland, with free macadamia tasting. The address is 914 South Head RD and is 10 km from Parakai."
The next event in the series is on Saturday 20th March with starts between 11am and 12am. He asks that the slower or newer people please come early so people can finish at a similar time ready for the prize giving. If you are unsure about the navigation come early and every effort will be made to give some advice.
There is NO PRE-ENTRY for the next events - just arrive and they will have enough maps. There's a free bag of macadamias for everyone who was at MTBO 1 who brings a new person to the next event. Sunday 30th May will be in Woodhill Forest and first start will be at 1 o’clock, following a score event for foot orienteering. Further details here, or email Christina Renhart, or Phone Rob Garden on 09 420 2849.
Depending on the success of these two, Rob and his helpers may put on 2 more events in Woodhill Forest before the New Zealand Champs to be held in July, probably in Waiuku Forest.