Queen's birthday this weekend this year was very unusual for us; a weekend of orienteering in Auckland kept us home instead of the traditional weekend away. Four races over the 3 days and being members of the organizing club kept us busy, but we also managed a birthday dinner for Julia on Sunday evening. A quick review of the races:
Dad (M40A): Sat am. Couldn't find the first control; finished an hour behind the winner in last place.
Sun am. Miles better, a great run to come 5th. What's more, as the 4 in front were foreigners, was awarded 1st place in the Auckland champs!
Sun pm. Mostly walked due to injury from the morning.
Mon am. Dreadful! Couldn't find control 7 after three tries in the low visibility forest. gave up and went back to the finish for a bacon sandwich.
Mum (W40B): Sat am. Not meant to run due to knee injury - 2nd place.
Sun am. 2nd again.
Sun pm. 1st place! Are you sure you're not running on that knee? Well done birthday girl.
Mon am. Slipped to 5th.
At the final JAFA presentation Julia was awarded 2nd over the whole weekend.
Ryan (Junior boys): Sat am. Suffering from a bad cold, not able to run, placed well down the field.
Sun. Cold worse & unable to speak, should be at home in bed, instead spent the day hanging about in the forest with orienteering mates.
Mon am. Feeling better, walked a couple of controls, jogged a couple & ran the rest. Finished in the middle of the field in a class with boys up 5 years his senior.
Kyla (W10A): Sat am. A good run for 3rd place.
Sun am. A great run 2nd place.
Sun pm. Another greate run and another 2nd.
Mon am. Back to 3rd place. No firsts but the great consistency gave Kyla 1st overall for the weekend!
So for a change to Ryan on the podium, we have pictures of the other 3 of us with certificates.
by Alan
