Orienteering race 1:39:24 [4] 13.49 km (7:22 / km) +351m 6:31 / km
shoes: New Integrator
SINS Day 1 Croft Castle
Set off steadily. No real errors for the first four, though possibly a little hesitant. Contouring to #4 seemed to work ok (though it might have been quicker to drop down onto the path?), but in any case decided to carry on towards #5, saving a significant amount of climb. Unfortunately the trods quickly became more indistinct and undulating. The brambles also proliferated and I ended up having to climb anyway... I then compounded matters by overshooting the control (though I felt that the perimeter of the gorse was rather approximately mapped). 4m lost.
Hurrying towards #6 I ended up following the main path right up the hill, adding unnecessary climb and distance, although it made the control simpler to find. A further 1m.
Ok to #7, but for #8 my distance judgement was woeful as I started looking way too early. 30s more gone.
Took a middling (poor) route to #9 which was neither round nor straight, and involved crawling through some gorse... 1m 30s.
Biggest time loss on #10. Initially looked at attacking from the top of the hill, but decided that using the small crag adjacent to the main path would be safer. Unfortunately I never saw the crag and overshot. Meandered back checking lots of likely looking spots on the way... 6m
Fortunately the rest of the course was more pleasant, and I didn't lose too much time; the biggest probably being 30s or so on #14 where I overshot the gully.
Enjoyed the first bit plus the second half. Did not enjoy the common section at all.
13m 30s of obvious errors. Ouch.
8th of 17 (+2)
Winner: Schorah 75:48 (131%)