Long/Middle Model distance and Emit trial

Today we had the Long and Middle distance model event on a small section of the Svinklov map, the map we will be using for the Long distance on Tuesday. The map had a 1 in 10,000 version and a 1 in 15,000 version for middle and long distance practise respectively.

The team was pleased with the accuracy of the map, everything was very well mapped including small bits of light green vegetation in patches of dense dark green vegetation which could be used in route choices. The focus of the model was map contact and reading pretty much every bit of detail so that come next week we will be orienteering to the best of our abilities. Before the training Jenni commented on the reduction in map contact we will see on race day through nerves and excitement so by excessively reading the map now we will be reading the map well on race day. Most of the team are getting use to the terrain and maps now so we are all really looking forward to competition week.

After the model event we had an emit test at the Barracks. We grossely underestimated the seriousness of the testing with the majority of the team turning up in casual gear, most the guys were shirtless and in jandals. It was good to see the start procedure in operation and the use of these wierd arm bands we will be using for our finish split. We did manage a victory in the boys course with Toby picking up the fastest time on the 1.4 km trial course. We were quite pleased with our first JWOC win...we will forget the fact that this was a practise course and that vans were used during Tobys run.

NZ JWOC team