Saturday 1 August 2015

Scorpion Fish: WOC Sprint Quali


The WOC sprint Quali was yesterday, and for me begun with the faint sounds of a familiar song as I had my pre race nap. Then came another familiar song. I was pretty sure that was more than just a coincidence.

Turns out a pretty legit South African band called Beatenberg are playing in a music festival in the same town we are staying in; Aviemore.

And Ben Howard after being observed by Jess at Zoo lake last week, has followed her over here to the same festival?? Craziness.

Back onto the Sprint Quali.

Quarantine is an interesting place and incites very different feelings for different people. It's always quite intimidating seeing so many of the best orienteers in the world packed into a small hall.

The starts were also pretty intense, with three people starting every minute, each of them on a different heat.. So loads of people running in every direction out in the terrain. Lots of tight corners meant quite a few collisions. Brad ran into an american going around a corner.

The terrain was pretty standard Scottish village, lots of small turns but very difficult to lose loads of time.

The girls started off first, and had good results, becoming the first South African women to finish under 130% of the winner's time.

The guys started a bit later and had a few mistakes, you can read Garry's write up about his race on Attackpoint: http://www.attackpoint.org/log.jsp/user_1614

Eugene has made some comments about his race on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eugene.botha.9?ref=br_rs

You might even find some funny? pictures if you follow that link.

I (Brad) had a really good run, and I'm really happy with how it went. one route choice mistake to 8 (lost like 8 seconds I think) and a couple other smaller ones. 31 Seconds off qualifying for the final.

Sprint Relay starts tonight at 18:05 Scottish time, should be really exciting to follow from home!

No comments: