BOSS6 & wrap-up
From event planner Shane Jenkins
Having such a small location to set within presented its own challenges and while I did not think I would be able to slow the fast riders down I tried to set a course in which I had hoped to limit the number of bonus points available to less than 15, which I managed, though by only 1 point. Congratulations to Matt Bacon top scoring with a total of 78 (64 possible and 14 bonus points) and many thanks to those who gave me positive feedback, my cryptic course notes aside. Finally thanks to the 53 riders who participated in the event, which at one point was looking like not actually happening.
Also thanks to my many helpers before during and after the event:
Setup: Sam Howe, Andrew Haigh, Mick Kavur, Viola O’Connor
Registration: Viola O’Connor
Start: Sam Howe
Finish: Viola O’Connor, Nicole Haigh, Sam Howe
Control Collectors: Rudi Landsiedel, Dennis Lyons, Malcolm Roberts, Carolyn Matthews, Josh Roberts, Andrew Power, Mike Kavur
From series co-ordinator Andrew Haigh
BOSS 6 the final event of the Mountain Bike Orienteering Summer series could not have produced a closer finish. Steve Todkill was leading after 5 events by the narrowest of margins. Any of the top three male competitors had a chance of taking out the series.
Damian was first home with an impressive course clearance with time to spare, Steve would have to be at least a minute faster to stay ahead. Next home was Malcolm 4 minutes quicker than Damian, could Malcolm pull off the double after sneaking home to win BOSS 1 last year.
Matt Bacon was next back, his stunning time of 60:41 earned him 14 bonus points and had me back on the calculator to recompute the top three. Finally a sorrowful figure came into sight, it was Steve Todkill pushing his bike home, his pockets bulging with the remains of his drivetrain.
After rechecking the numbers Steve had hung on to top spot by the narrowest of margins, Malcolm was second and Damian third, only a single point separated all three.
(And yes Damian if you had been 4 seconds quicker today you would have won)
The girls competition was also decided at the last event, again any of three could win. Last years winner Mary fien, did not compete so it was left to Newcastle locals Nicole and Carolyn to battle it out. Carolyn needed to win by 1 or 2 points, but returned 4 minutes early and a point behind Nicole. The result was that Nicole won the series by 5 points over Carolyn, Third place went to Alison Curtin.
Overall participation in BOSS 2 was slightly higher than the amazingly popular BOSS 1 last year, with a record 88 at Killingworth. However last year 21 people attended every event, this year this number was down to only 15 of these there are 8 who have attended all 11 events.
Thanks to all who made it possible, especially the course setters, all of whom who had not set a BOSS event before, (In several cases it was there first experience of bush setting).
And thanks to everybody who has commented on how much they have enjoyed the series. BOSS 3 is already in the planning stages, currently there will be six events plus a possible warm up event. Hopefully we will have some new maps to ride on. If any body feels like drawing a map/helping to draw a map then please let me know.