Two-up in Castlemaine – 2nd & 3rd July

Monday, 4 July 2016

The first Mass Start group heads off at Old Quartz Hill

Old Quartz Hill on Saturday was the first event – long distance format course setting with lots of route choice using forestry roads, 4WD tracks, and a few single tracks. Courses were a bit shorter than usual because of the fairly steep terrain. Only 3 riders on Courses 1-4 came in under 90 minutes.

We trialled a mass start format as the IOF is starting to use this for some of its events. There were some interesting head-to-head challenges with reports of riders taking different route choices but arriving at the next control in similar times.

Another first was the use of the SportIdent Air system which enabled non contact control punching with competitors only needing to pass within 30cm of the control for it to register. What a breeze!

Some unexpected logging activity in the competition area led to some limitations on route choice on one or two legs on most courses.

The main organiser was unable to be there, so we were a bit shorthanded, but had some very welcome assistance from non-Yarra Valley people: particular thanks to Gary Buchan (EU) who caught the train to Castlemaine, rode to the event from the station and, unasked, immediately took over as parking-guru making good use of his hi-vis vest. After everyone had left, Gary stayed on to help pack up the finish before heading back to the station in the gathering gloom. Also thanks to Mel and Brad from Geelong who headed out in their 4WD to collect controls at the end of the day from a sector requiring 4WD to minimise approach on foot. And as usual, the small group of YV folk rallied around, including Sheila who wasn’t competing but who came up on Friday to help put out controls and stayed to staff the registration desk. Peter Searle drove down from Bendigo to help with the set up on Saturday morning.

Jim Russell’s results screen was a welcome addition to the event. All riders on Courses 1-4 passed through control #61 and Jim placed a radio control at that point so we could see progress part-way through the courses. And after all that, he also assisted with control collection.

Kathy Liley, Course setter.

Links to all results, splits and WinSplits