Discussion: Team USA results, Long Final in Foresta Umbra: Silver and Bronze!

Sharon Crawford was back to true shape again in this last run of hers in W75. Erin Nielsen got third in W40. For at least the younger age categories, this Long tested the physical ability to push through slow, rocky forest as much as it stressed staying in constant contact with the map. My 8.4 km course had 5 legs longer than 800 m, of which one was about 1.9 km. It only got up to 26 °C at 9 am and 28 °C by the conclusion of the race.

In other A results:

4th: Pavlina Brautigam (W60)
19th: Joe Brautigam (M60)
20th: Tom Hollowell (M60)
25th: Vladimir Gusiatnikov (M45)
25th: Marie-Josée Parayre (W45)
28th: Tapio Karras (M60)
37th: Stefan Slutsky (M60)
37th: Angelica Riley (W50)
47th: Stephanie Ross (W50)
55th: JP Lande (M60)
63rd: Charlie DeWeese (M75)

After a dissonant, cacophonous start in Peschici, the many musical instruments of the organizers picked up the cues from the invisible conductor, and then the melodious symphony revealed its theme and built up to a glorious crescendo! Bravo.

Wow! Congratulations to Erin and to Sharon! So cool to see!!

I was extremely lucky to be second. Had mistakes on a couple of controls, finishing a scant five seconds ahead of the Finn in third. The winning Norwegian had a super run.
Natalia Deconescu, long time CAOC member, now retired back in Romania, won silver in W65A.
Also, so nice to see Erin Nielsen back in action, with a bronze in W40A.

Daniel Hubmann definitely wins the prize for most emphatic response to an unexpected defeat, taking out M35A by nearly 16(!) minutes.