Uringa's Finn Mackay is one of our promising juniors now finding his feet on moderate courses.
Finn entered M14A at the Easter carnival in South Australia. After a promising 13th placing in the short prologue, he was all set for the 3 days in the bush... when nature struck!
“I had an unlucky day on the first day at Wonna Creek when a kangaroo jumped out at me at the 2nd control trying to get away from another orienteer," recalled Finn, pictured here at the recent Xmas 5-Days in Pyrmont.
"The kangaroo was coming straight at me really fast. I rolled my ankle getting out of the way. I tried to keep on going but couldn’t because I was hobbling with a sore ankle, so headed to the finish for a DNF."
That wasn't going to stop Finn from enjoying the last 2 days, and here he recounts Day 2 at Tundarri.
“My ankle was better and the M14 course was 4.3 km. Control #1 seemed easy: go straight north to the river, then follow it east to the control… but I must have drifted a bit to the west because when I followed the river east I came across #2. I followed the dry river bed from there to the control easily, and #2 was even easier because I already knew where it was!
“#3 was easy as it was just following the river bed south, same with #4 and #5. Control #6 was a steep walk up the hill, way too steep to run for me. On top of the mountain, I ran to the end and down the south side where the control was easily found in the rocky outcrop.
“For control #7 I ran downhill south and west a bit to use the creek also running south. When the creek disappeared I was at the path junction for #7. I then headed south again for #8 and took the wrong turn at the first creek. I realised my mistake and went back and continued a bit further south where I took the next creek running east. I followed this until it connected with the south running creek that took me straight to #8.
“For #9 I followed the same creek north from #8 until it ran east, then all the way to the control easily. The same creek took me to #10, and then it was a sprint home. I was happy to finish and my ankle was good.”
Thanks Finn, for providing this report. All the best with your orienteering.
