Questars

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Forest Quest

Pippa MacDougal (Questars) / 11.10.2005

As competitors converged on Burgate School just north of Fordingbridge for the final event in the Questars 2005 series they kept a close eye and ear on the weather forecast. The timing of when the approaching rain front would hit the area was going to play a part in their race strategy.

Happily most of the record number of Novice teams were back in the event centre well before the heavy showers arrived and they enjoyed a day out in dry calm conditions with a good amount of sunshine to brighten the autumnal colours across the New Forest.

For the Masters teams there was an added edge to the race as there were a good number in contention for the overall Questars series trophy and some valuable cash prizes.

All teams congregated in the sports hall for the event briefing to learn more about the course. It covered three contrasting areas. The nearest being the Avon Valley with the clear meandering river running across a wide flood plain - a favourite with fishermen and fish farmers. It has been altered by the extraction of gravel creating a series of large lakes now largely used for recreation and Quest had secured exclusive use of two of these at the New Forest Water Park for the kayaking stage.

The course then ventured up the forest edge, the steep slope is the western edge of the Forest plateau. It is criss-crossed by many lanes, minor roads and footpaths. The course exploited the contours and provided lots of route choices. Racers enjoyed the variety of terrain here together with the sights of chocolate box thatched cottages and cattle, donkeys and ponies roaming freely.

Then there was the New Forest itself which in this area consists of open heath land interspersed with old broadleaf woodland and coniferous plantations. The off road cycle routes provided some delightful mountain biking and were a highlight for many teams.

Those that had reviewed the pre-marked event maps had perhaps been thinking that the kayaking stage was going to be relatively easy. When Course Director, David Hunt, revealed the surprise element that the mysterious checkpoints X and Y had to be visited after each conventional checkpoint to validate their points, there was an immediate reassessment.

It was also explained that with 40 checkpoints to visit there was a great deal of route choice available but the risk of penalties for being late off the water, late back, or venturing out of bounds. Teams also had to complete at least one checkpoint in each stage.See All Event Posts