Open 12

We came to the Open 12 in third place in the Endurance series after failing to pick up one control at the 5+ but with 4o mins to spare. We knew the competition was going to be tight and so it was to prove. This year's 12 was a different format from previous years as it was to be based over two days with seven hours on the first and five on the second which would make it fast paced from the start. The first day was a mass start on to a score style run stage into a very nice Gorge special stage and then on to a bike score with pool dive near the finish.

Everyone, well nearly everyone was bused from the finish at West Burton, Yorkshire Dales to nearly Kirby Stephen. Neil, Mike Poole, Phil Humphreys & I however were last on the coach and there was no space so we got to experience James driving, but at least we had a bit of extra time to recover as we awaited the arrival of the coach. On its arrival we had 15 mins till the start of the race and recieved the control descriptions and values, so time for that last min planning. With the bang of the gun Neil & I were leading the way to the first control however as the pace settled down we slipped backwards a little but we picked a good route collecting all the controls up and around Wild Boar Fell only to be overtaken by Ant & Helen moving like a steam train. We managed to clear the run & quickly transitioned into the special stage, a scramble up Hell Gill, which was an extremly pleasant interlude to the hard racing. Neil & I skipped up the gorge and to our surprise coming out on to the bike leg to only be 5/6 mins down on all our rivals including John H and Tom G. With the bit between our teeth we started to real the other teams in. The hills were ridable but very tough in the heat, but the effort was worth it as the decents were really enjoyable all except the moment I went over the handle bars and landed on my head, I was certainly glad of my helmet if only a little dazed. Soon after we made a descision that probably cost us the race being a little worried about time we decided not to follow John and Tom to a control being only a couple of minutes behind and go for another loop of controls. We ended up at the finish area with 50 mins left and decided to go out for two last controls but the final climb ended being a push and the descent the slowest of the race meant we were 10 mins late losing 20 points putting us in 4th on the same score as Andy & Phil but ten mins back and ten points behind 2nd and 25 behind John & Tom . So close but the gamble did not quite work for us on Day 1.

Day 2 started in reverse order with an abseil leading on to a trail run from Hardraw around Hawes and over Wether Fell to Semer Water. The first half of the run we managed to hold position but as the climb stiffened and the temp got hotter we began to suffer and drop back. However with our arrival at Semer Water our fortunes began to change, the 600m swim was a great relief from the heat and cooled us nicely for the next cycle. The course looked clearable and so it was to prove, however racing for pride we managed to catch Andy & Phil having suffered a puncture and we also got past Alistair and Tom through better route choice and then came John & Tom G who had both suffered a puncture at the same point. After stopping to give them a tube we pushed on to try and gain a lead, we pushed hard up the final climb and descent into the finish. We managed to pull back five mins on third place, not enough but our efforts were rewarded with first place on day two being the quickest male pairs. However top honours have to go Helen and Ant on an incredible performance toping the leaderboard overall on time.
Looking forward to the 24... Thanks to James & Dave for a good weekends fun.