Orienteering race 33:01 [5] 6.76 km (4:53 / km) +247m 4:08 / km
shoes: Inov-8 X-Talon 212 (2016)
British Relay Champs - Men's Premier - Leg 3
We were off to a good start with Will bringing it in 45s down on Shuoc. Tim let the gap grow a wee bit and FVO were catching but there was still a big gap behind. I went out hungry for a result and feeling pretty relaxed although aware of GG motoring ~3mins behind.
Bombed it down the ride to 1, being safe at this early stage. Just as yesterday, wanted a clean start to get some confidence up and then unleash all I had. Nailed number 1, even though it's feature was barely existent, and then down to 2 with some good pace. Into 3 fine and then began the long climb back up after 4. Good flow and felt confident I was clawing something back on Dane whilst keeping ahead of GG (there were times were I could see a few mins behind and never saw him). 12 was a bit dodgy and wasn't confident on what side of the stream I was on but corrected after a 10s faff.
Out into the open and legs still feeling nice and fresh. So speed injection emerged and sure enough I could see Dane about a minute ahead as we headed into spectator. Then heading into the final loop I realised the only chance we had at a gold was if I was clean and Shuoc would miss. So I took the foot of the pedal a bit and made sure I spiked the stream ends on the very vague slope we were on. However realised I had the longer gaffle soon and began to accept a silver place victory. Could see Dane still about a minute ahead about to punch the second last control and I pretty much gave in, until I saw an FVO top behind and legged it away (turns out it wasn't GG anyway).
But then saw Dane throw in a 180 and realised he had overshot the penultimate control. Chest skipped a beat and began to motor it up to the control. Death climb followed but somehow got through it pretty much sprinting the whole way. Round the corner, last control, and was met by a pretty excited field of spectators. Will and Tim absolutely screaming at me standing on the final bit of the run in and we didn't hang about in crossing the line. Downloaded, no mispunches and EUOC had won the BOC Relay trophy for the first time! Not a bad end to a very mixed weekend. Feel bad for Dane and Shuoc but pretty sure this is just the start of a few years of a new, fierce UK relay-rivalry between us.
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