Congratulations to Garingal junior Toby Wilson on his maiden National League win as he bids for a place at the junior world championships in Finland this year.
Toby took out the Long Distance event in M20E on the notoriously difficult Pittwater Dunes course in Hobart on Sunday, making amends for a so-so result in the Middle Distance at the same venue on Saturday.
The 20-year-old has been tantalisingly close to JWOC selection the past two years and the victory was just what he needed to start the new bush season.
Next month's Oceania championships near Auckland will be in duneland, so the decision to have an Australian training in similar terrain in December (see pic of Toby and Duncan Currie) looks to have paid off.
"There's a lot of detail in sand dunes; it's often difficult to tell what's up and what's down," he said.
"By Sunday I was a lot more familiar with the terrain and feeling more confident.
"I had a bit of luck, fluked a couple of controls, and then in the finish chute just managed to get ahead of Jarrah Day."
Sunday's mass start had competitors going off in different directions but essentially completing the same course, leading to the exciting sprint finish.
Big Foot's Alastair George also shone and is seventh overall, still giving away several year to most competitors in M20E.
The Hobart Mercury article is here, and standings in the NOL are here.
The next NOL weekend is in Canberra in a fortnight in conuunction with our opening State League weekend. It will be a contrast in terrain, with Saturday the ACT Sprint Champs at Canberra Girls Grammar, and Sunday the ACT Middle Champs at Isaacs Ridge. Entries close Tuesday March 14.
