WOA long distance,
Koitiata. 2nd M40, Carsten (injured) 1:30:17. One of the best sand dune long distances I've seen in NZ, rather than a 'long middle'. Setting up route choice problems on a map like this isn't easy but there were enough legs long enough to be good "compass/execution/confidence" tests to remind me a bit of Scandi long courses. So, used the compass a lot, generally executed quite well (ridiculous - some might say flukey - spikes at 4 and 11), but perhaps could have gained time with a bit more self belief on the longer legs. Biggest mistake (3 minutes) at 1, stopped a bit too soon and fitted the terrain where I was to the map where I should be, and only made sense of it just before seeing William pop out from the control (only time I saw him). If being caught by the next starter at control 1 sounds frustrating, it gets worse, check the difference to Carsten's time! (yeah, I know he was basically limping around the course, but I still would have claimed it!) Similar but smaller mistake at 12, spotted the control when heading out to the nearest track to relocate, and a bit of in or near circle confusion at 9 and 17. Physically, kept pushing along quite well, if not exactly fast, until hitting the bigger hills in the last forest block. Quite happy with this one really.