Aftera quick sprint around Tuggeranong Town Park and a mathematical equation it was Slack RRRs on to the bikes first with Stingers hot on their wheels. Both teams set a cracking pace but Stingers were able to pass them and open a lead of over two minutes at the start of the first orienteering leg on Farrer Ridge. Triple Treat lead early amongst the women and were only five minutes off the overall lead coming off the bikes.
Choices had to be made and best routes decided as the teams were able to visit any eight of fourteen checkpoints on foot. With two Australian orienteering representatives, including the current number one ranked male – Julian Dent, it was hard to see the Stingers being overhauled on this leg and when they arrived back at the transition they had opened up a lead of nine minutes. Just Peachy had the second fastest timefor the leg and assumed the lead in the women’s category. Slack RRRs maintained second place and Blackheart Ultrafit moved into third with a strong leg.
Ashort but hilly ride gave the teams the choice of going over or around Mt Wanniassa before another short orienteering leg amongst the rocks of Wanniassa Hills. On leaving Wanniassa Hillsthe Stingers had opened a seventeen minute lead with Slack RRRs still in second. Out of Range had moved up to thirdafter Blackheart Ultrafit extended their adventure amongst the rocks. Just Peachy flew around and came outfifth overall, just behind Griffins.
From here it was a race to the finish via a checkpoint on Mt Stranger. Unfortunately the planned run/swim leg along the Murrumbidgee River was cancelled due to safety concerns arising fromthe inclement weather. Despite abroken chain the Stingers cruised home to give Nathan Versey his second victoryfor the season. SlackRRRs arrivedfourteen minutes later to comfortably take second. Australian Geographic Outdoor Mag took nine minutes out ofthe deficit to Out of Range but fell agonisingly short, missing out on thefinal podium by twenty-two seconds. These three teams claimed the top three positions in themixed category. Second in theMen’s category was Sexy Never Left with Spirit Kickers – Paddy Pallin third.Just Peachy dominated the female teams, winning by twenty-five minutes. Crash Course Navigators were second and Triple Treat third.
The racing on the Novice Course was much tighter with the Dawson family teaming upas MAGics to sprint to victory only forty-nine seconds in front of CIC Australia. Dong, Dick ‘n Mick werethird and the winner of the Men’s category. The Cycle Ed Chicks showed that the Cycle Education courses do the trick as they took out the Women’s category. The ingenuity award goes to The Deceptacons: when faced with tyre troubles and none of the usual gear to fix it they took some chewing gum and their mandatory crepe bandage to make a field dressing. It got them home!
Another special mention goes to the Yeung and Carroll families. As they got to the end of the course the rain started coming down really hard. When faced with the option of early finish to get warm and fed they stuck it out and showed determination to finish the course. They aimed to finish the whole course and they wouldn’t stop until they did. It’s what Adventure Racing is all about, pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone!
A huge thank you to the Tuggeranong community for hosting a wet yet fun event, toour dedicated volunteers who braved the dreadful weather to help out, and toour sponsors for providing prizes and support for this event: Paddy Pallin,Fitness First, ice-breaker, World Expeditions, Salomon, Sea to Summit, UltraFit Magazine, Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine, GU and Red Bull who came outin force for this event!
The fourth and final stop on the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series road show for 2009/10 is Nelson Bay on March 13th. Entries are open now online and the coasteering is something you won’t want to miss!
For complete results and photos and to enter the last event of the series go to: www.arocsport.com.au
