Amid a 1-in-50-year deluge, we dip our lids to the hardy course setters and controllers for battling the elements to put on two outstanding State League events at the weekend.Saturday saw us at WSU Campbelltown for the NSW Sprint Champs, or as any leg near the ponds proved - the NSW Swim Champs.
Setter Stephan Wagner let the legs stretch out in some areas, then quickly pulled us to a halt in the intricate building areas full of canopies, staircases and out of bounds. Rain squalls and slippery surfaces added to the difficulty (and the atmosphere). I imagine the security guard thought we were all mad!
On Sunday morning Greg Barbour had us in a totally different universe - the rock of Wattle Ridge, now recovering rapidly from the terrible fires of 15 months ago. These were very hard courses, doubly so given we are still in summer series mode, triply so given the conditions.Most winning times were above 70 minutes, about 10-20% longer than expected due to the sudden wet. The key was to navigate by the big rock, but then the controls were often on small features in low-vis. It was a thorough test so early in the season.
Special mentions go to:
* Maggie Mackay (Uringa) who came from the clouds to pip Ariadne Ishakhova by one second in W14A on Sunday
* Maggie Mackay (Uringa) who came from the clouds to pip Ariadne Ishakhova by one second in W14A on Sunday
* Bennelong rookie Rachael Povah for two massive wins in W45AS on only her second SL weekend
* Garingal rookie Rochelle Cox for spending three and a half hours on course (Hard 3) on Sunday - and finishing!
Results, Winsplits and Livelox links are on Eventor and the SL web page. Please fill out the very brief course setter surveys for each day.
A massive thank you also to the controllers David Green and Simon George, and everyone at SHOO and Big Foot for their efforts.
Our next State League weekend is on the south coast in mid-May.
