Our one bush event in the Xmas 5-Days carnival drew a healthy 255 entries who braved a hot and steamy morning at Lapstone.
The Darks Common map is a lovely little pocket of bush just two train stops from Penrith at the foot of the mountains. WHO were our hosts, borrowing a much loved map from Big Foot.
The track network on the map appears straightforward enough for those taking a leisurely stroll, but can prove tricky when trying to go flat chat in 4WD mode.
And with the mercury above 30C by mid-morning it was sweaty work - and excellent preparation for those heading to Tasmania in the next 48 hours for the opening World Cup round and Oceania championships.
Dave Shepherd (ACT) again took out Men's A, just ahead of Austrian Gernot Kerschbuamer who leads the overall standings. Andy Simpson (BF) smashed Men's B by four and a half minutes.
Swedish World Cup star Tove Alexandersson made it a hat-trick (she skipped Day 3 at Pyrmont) in Women's A as Europeans took the first five placings. Paula Shingler (BF) pipped Karen Blatchford (NC) by two seconds to take out Women's B.
Many of our European guests were later spotted higher up the Blue Mountains, taking in Echo Point and the Three Sisters. They have shown us just how good they are - it's been wonderful to be able to witness world-class athletes in our backyard.
Click on the blue links for Day 4 results, splits, carnival standings and some photos courtesy of Garingal's Tony Hill.
Just a reminder, too, that Wednesday's venue is Kippax Lake, Driver Avenue - right outside the Sydney Cricket Ground. Only one day left in the carnival and the year - let's go out with a bang!
