Team OrionHealth Adventure

Nathan has taken a tumble off his bike and although okay had to be air lifted off the course.  He is expected to be released from hospital tomorrow morning (this evening NZ time) ... so thankfully seems to be well.  Concussion appears to be the reason for his hospitalisation, but we're not entirely sure.  Not a nice way to end a race.  

Nathan was riding a new bike that he purchased prior to the race in Spain, since his own bike did not make the trip safely from New Zealand.

Stu and Fleur are continuing while Brent sits out after what has been a very tough beginning to his race, suffering from stomach troubles from early on.

Fiona and Roy will send a more detailed update when they find out more.  

News is sketchy from the course.  The tracking devices have mostly stopped working.  So we're relying on text messages from those on the ground ... although they're also confused about the race positions.

This from Fi ... OrionHealth.com have left TA6 on to their bikes in good spirits.  They stopped on the bike ride before the TA for a couple of hours sleep and to give Brent a break (he's suffering from stomach troubles), and did the kayak/trek leg in good time.  The leading bunch continue to push on without a sleep and should reach the next stage, and inline skating leg, soon.  The sun has come out again after a night of heavy rain.

Positions are unclear as some teams have missed parts of the course. 

The countdown is on for the race start - in 8 hours time at 9am local time the racers will be off! The course has been announced, and looks like some good tough legs, with some tricky nav through out which should suit our guys nicely. 

The team at Cuerto Postes with Avila in the background, ready for the Opening Ceremony procession. 

Things kick off with a sprint orienteering stage around Avila expected to take an hour or so for the top guns - watch the teams with good technical orienteers to do well here - such as Orion, Blackwater with world sprint podium finisher Chris Forne, and Silve-Gerba with Arron Prince. Its then onto the bikes for a 4 hour leg, before another orienteering section set by the Spanish Orienteering organisation, so it will be tough! Thi one has two parts - a 12km section for the team, then two 6km legs which the teams will split up into pairs to complete. Again, this will make things interesting for teams who usually rely on one navigator, but should give an advantage to most of the Kiwi teams who have two or more good orienteers on board. This hould take teams into tomorrow night onto the bike and a night lake kayak.

Brent showing off his climing skills at the pre-race checks.

 The weather is forecast o be good tomorrow, but deteriorating in the wee hours of Monday morning, with possibley even snow above 2200m (and the teams will be completing a high trekking stage which reaches...2250m with a challenging ropes section!!).  So it will be fro one extreme with temps in Avila today nearing 30 degrees to potentially close to zero on the high ridges. Makes good gear choie essential!

right, thats all for now Roy and I need to hit the sack and grab a few hours sleep before the race start. Orion were super efficient and had all their maps done and in bed not long after11pm. On our way out we saw most other teams including Blackwater and Silva still hard at work on their maps - could be a long night for some!

 

All photos courtesy of www.arwc2009.com

Brent Stuart and Anna enter (or exit) the swim leg of the final section of the last day

Brent finishes the swim leg

Wayne (bib no. 01) on the final trek - Day 6

 

(Photos courtesy of www.ARWC2009.com)

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Stuart and Anna on the final 50km kayak leg

In transition - final kayak to second to last mountain bike leg (Wayne on right)

Reviewing the maps for the second to last mountain bike leg - plotting a course through the next 45km