The map was the one prepared for the 2002 NZ Championship, but with recent rain (and showers during the race) the tracks in the sandy forest were much firmer, in fact most of the lowest grade tracks were ridable! As for the other events electronic clipping was used enabling all the leg times to be recorded and used to compare route choices.
As expected NZ squad members dominated the open classes, Stu Lynch beating Phil Wood by 2min and Christina Renhart, Marquita Gelderman, Dianne Michels and Claire Heppenstall coming in within 4min. Winning times were 100 and 79min respectively. On the same course as the women, vet man Phil White, an experienced adventure racer won in 73min.
But the highlight for the organisers was the number of happy faces all round. The turnout augurs well for the NZ Champs also near Auckland in July. The North West club is also organising another event in the same part of Woodhill on Saturday 26 June.
Results and split times have been posted on the North West Orienteering Club website.