The opening leg of the classic course saw teams scatter amongst the rocks and tracks of Mt Taylor to collect a number of checkpoints adding to a total of 100 points in any order that they wished. It proved a hectic start and some interesting route choices as the leading teams looked to gain the upper hand early on. Youth prevailed and the ‘YEAH’ men, aged only 15 and 16 years, came into TA1 first with a minute and a half gap. Their transition wasn’t a quick one though and the Newcastle-based Flash Barry’s Fan Club were onto their tails heading out onto the bike leg. One team that really enjoyed their time on Mt Taylor were adventure racing debutants, The Triple 0 on Speed Dial Crew, who decided to fully explore the area and were on foot for three hours. The enthusiasm and attitude they showed when exiting TA1, eager to keep going and experience all the race had to offer, is what adventure racing is all about!
BlackHeart/UltraFit Magazine looked to be strong on the bike and it proved correct as they moved through the field from fourth to arrive at TA2 in the lead, one minute ahead of BlackHeart/Salomon and Flash Barry’s Fan Club who were neck and neck. ‘YEAH’ men had lost some time and came through in fifth. Puzzle Partners were well onto the way to victory opening up a twenty minute lead by the time they were off the bike. This leg which ran through Oakey Hill, the corner of Deeks Forest and finished with the famous ‘Luge’ section of the Stromlo single track network. The smiles of the competitors coming into TA2 could be seen from a far distance!
SleepMonsters
