Sydney Summer Series

TENNERS THE WALLFLOWERS AT ARTARMON'S DAMP DANCE

It's rare for a Summer Series event to be rained on from go to whoa, but that's what happened last night at James Lithgow's superb and exhilarating run at Artarmon. Nobody was spared, despite the early arrivals hoping a clearing was coming. So it was out of the car, into the rain and into the action - and quite pleasant action it was for the 160 or so nags that, like Van Der Hum, revel in a wet track.

This was the first time we have started at this location, and James (and understudy Nicole 'In One' Sellin) made good use of the area - rather in the shape of an east west sausage with a hernia bulge to the south. The 'Gore' divided proceedings, leading to much head scratching before the clock went beep. The big points were well spread across the course, with perhaps an easterly bias, whereas the tens, or the 'tenners' in Porkies title, were set up in a fierce internal contest of lonely potmanship. Many runners returned with bags of 20's and 30's, but apart from Glenn, I don't think anyone got more than a few 10's. They just wept quietly in the rain, hoping for a turn on the dance floor, a turn to show they could hold their feet in that 'Jacaranda Flowers' shuffle, but mostly their night went unloved - none more so than #2 (whose hope of a 'loop' was dashed when interloper #22 spoiled the party). Maybe #3 might have also 'failed to pencil' as it seemed to be on the hilly route from 12 to 24, and why would you? Ten also looked lonely, maybe only appealing to the train buffs.

Anyway, much chewing and string work was on display before runners started their windscreen wipers and dashed off. Many ran south to #6 to begin their fun, others had in mind a quick 30 with pot #21, and ran off into the bush. Still others liked the sniff of the 12/11 beginning before working back to 21 and west or the Gore Hill underpass and points south. Those that chose #21 to begin, found our tag line (navigation-on-the-run) to have been well thought about by young James, as it seemed, upon arrival, not an obvious collect. The 'Sauce Bottle' probably lost half an hour there and went for a post race inspection, and a bit of mental remapping. A tricky one that had many dropping minutes (probably only seconds in reality), and creating route choice doubt. The Pie Face still doesn't remember the feature, although he found the pot.

The western loop seemed worth it (drop #2, and maybe #14), with 120 odd on board at sixteen before a bit of puff work to rejoin the field at 20/30. There was a nice grouping in the bulge that tempted runners south - 19/29 to 9,28,17, or 19/29 and withdraw to 17 and the east. All good, especially #28, where road counting needed to be accurate to make sure you didn't select the wrong street. This is a nice feature of this part of the map - well engineered by our course setting team.

Other competitors eschewed the west, working the south bulge and a full bag of eastern pots. The 6,20,8,19 beginning had the graphite humming and got you well into things without any lost distance. The east then flowed well with 27,18,26 (drop #7 - another lonely bride) and either a flog home via 5,24 and the freeway, or balloon under Flat Rock Drive to pick 25 before returning west. A few runners lost time at #26, where the cliff below the road end was perhaps a little unclear on the map. Like most things, all was revealed when one read the clue and saw the word 'eastern' and the modest height. Ahhhh!! Anyway, whether clean or slow here, there were plenty of points in this loop, and plenty of fans of this option.

Of the speed boats, Glenn found plenty of 'in-out' on offer for the lot in 15.25 over (440). Richard 'The Broom' Green had an eye on the Masters ton (which he duly secured with 520), and left off #1,3 and 12 for four over while Andy Hill, back from an ankle at the Big Foot Sprints, put up 540 after dropping a few tenners (1,2,3,7) and going 46.50. A great run from Andrew, although the ankle might not have enjoyed it, and may need further nursing. Speaking of injuries, we are all missing Michael 'You Light Up My Life' Free - apparently out for some time with undercarriage issues. The Series is not the same without this favourite of the Ladies Stand.

So, a damp evening, but a great start area and a top course. Lots of options, and especially the puzzling/tempting spread of 10 pointers (Gordy's sage advice - don't go out of your way for a ten pointer!), led to a wide range of running routes and scoring. Given the weather, it was not a night to be a late starter, although I noted The 'Marquis' on the carrot and munch with a headlamp. Good thinking in the gathering gloom.

Now, let's turn to the ponies. How did the rain sodden fancies end up on the magnetic?

I see a few zero's. Ian McKenzie (I suspect walking the lot) and Hazel Bluett led the field on the western board, with Tiia (JW) putting up 120 and starting her long run to WOC 2030. There were a few uncharacteristic lowies (best of luck tonight Frank), where maybe the rain had a slowing effect. I'm thinking Jeremy 'The Cistern' Fowler with only 190, Lisa Lampe and her 25 plus nicknames with a modest 110 and Masters speedster Pete Day, a hundred further back than Jeremy with only 90. Could be the maths are wrong, or they could have been pushing a pram! There was definitely a pram on the chomp in the southern pots - going very fast indeed.

Given I missed reporting the Juniors last week, I need to lead with them - and the girls provided an upset, with Michele (290) going down to a strong run by Rachel 'X 100 Motor Oil' Noble (380). These two competitors are providing plenty of great copy for race reporters, with the 'Helicopter' and future JWOC star often putting up ten more - but not last night. Deb's sister is flying! Also noted is young Ellen 'Dive' Currie, who went here and there, probably with dad assisting, for 140 salad servers. The Curries are providing much to admire - with young Dunk out in front of the JM's. Speaking of which, a strong run by Huon Wilson last night for 410 could mean fireworks are coming in this class. Dan Dawson and young Matty Hill are also in there, and both running at speed. Watch this space.

In what looked like second place, Dave Hegarty put up a fantastic 530 in Open Men to claim from the White Paint Tube (510) and Mark Schaefer (450). The Masters also saw some good scoring, although none over five. Tim 'This Is London Calling' Rogers (490), Pete Annetts (480), Davy Bray and Peter Fallows (460's) and Anto Petterson (450) being the best of them. Richard 'The Laird' lauder and Kar-Soon only coughed up ten and twenty (ie 440 and 430) and were in there as well, although Shane must have felt another parliamentary review coming on, and only posted 250. Modest by the Treasury Secretaries standards.

In the mares and fillies, Catherine 'Stone Cowboy' Murphy's superb 440 seemed to be the one, with Mary Fein (MW) ten back, as was Sue 'Gelatine' Davis (OW). Barbara 'Goola' Hill made a rare appearance for 420, Carolyn crayoned 380, Mel Selby posted 350 and Rachel 'On Wheels' Merton flamed out for 290. Angela 'Monet' Haynes painted 260, to shade fellow masters competitor Linda 'Vauxhall' Sesta's 250. The Vets were line astern from Julia 'Lennon' (270), leaving many white spaces on the control card. Barb Dawson's 150 and 'The Lampost' (110) as previously mentioned.

In the older stallions, Eoin left them for dead, galloping home with an excellent 470 to be well clear of the Noble Dave (410) and Ian 'Frank Ifield' Jessup (singing sweetly for 390). Three nags crossed the line neck and neck for 370 in the V's (Wiz, John Bulman and Danny 'Silver Not' Redfern), whereas in the older stock we see a repeat with nackery bound Gordy, Warwick and Rosscoe carding 410 apiece to hold back Ian 'Nose & Throat' Cameron (390) from the podium. Stu McWilliam looked good with 360 o have bragging rites over fellow GOers Dave 'A Bridge Too far' Bowerman (300) and Jimmy Forbes 'Hotel' - shouting 290 blokes a Reshes. Rob 'On The Map' Spry posted 280 and Neil Hawthorne put up 340. Different blokes, different scores. The intrigue of the Summer Series!

In the Legends, Bryony didn't have a goodie, but managed 270 to shade Sue 'Australia Needs A fast Bowler' Thomson (220). I didn't note Heiko's score, but Ron posted what might be the lead with 360 to Ted and Dave Stiit's 330 points. Malcolm was handy with 310, well clear of 'WS' Cox with 200, while Graham Horrocks was somewhere in between - with 240. In case you think I've missed the SVW's, it was great to see Sue 'The Editor' Clarke on a second outing here from sunny (!) Queensland with a damp and Caeser free run for 210 - but well beaten by Dale (320) and Deb (310). Dale & Deb, mmmm could be something here. Poetry, the title of a novel, a hair salon, something about candles and meditation perhaps?

A couple of final notes. Power Walkers Alison Pearce (200) looks like she pipped Lesley 'Warragamba Dam' Cox (170), with no note of Kathryn - maybe she was a no show. No walking blokes noted - except Ian, although Pork Pie records with great pleasure the group entry 'Knight Riders' making off into the dark and stormy night with 170 points. There was also a mystical entry (Trod) with 70 points but a lost card. Maybe they remembered the letter codes??

Big thanks to James, Nicole and the Garingal crew for a great night, and one that segued so easily into a series of racing lectures at the nearby 'Bridge View'. Very enjoyable. Given the weather, it was a great roll up, and surpasses our previous wet tallies of around the 140/150 mark. Build it and they will come seems to be the word, as the nags on the flog look to every advantage they can get over fellow horses. Long may it continue!

Next week sees a return to Lindfield, where the Big Foot brigade will once again have us into a bit of bush track work and a bit of steep roady stuff in this very pleasant and lush suburban location. A big difference with event 10, is the experimental use of Sportident electronic scoring instead of the normal pencil and card. The pots will still be deployed at the control sites (along with the scoring unit), and the maps will be exactly the same. The big advantage will be in the quick and accurate results processing, without the need to have legions of 'adder uppers'. We look forward to see how it all goes in the field. E Sticks can be hired on the night, although most orienteers will already have their own.

Join us as we get a handle on an E version of the Summer Series - and say farewell to Andrew and Debbie (our setters in lieu of Wendy) who are heading off to Cafe L'ffarre in Wellington for a year - for a nice coffee, and to also rescue the NZ economy. I'm sure the stalwart 'Feet' will set us a cracker, so don't miss it and the chance to flash the silks in the race of the century.