This report is courtesy of Sportzhub, I still haven't got around to our version. But this is pretty close.
It was really cool seeing Team Orion Health compete - they were awesome - and friendly too. I asked them if they were lost at on stage - they were running around the bush in circles - their navigation was so good, they didn't need to stay on the tracks!
The ARC Adventure Race - "Operation Nighthawk"
This years race attracted a record number of 68 teams and 200 competitors including current World Champions Orion Health, Team Outsport from Noumea, a crack team from the NZ Army and several school teams taking part
..in the ARC 12 and 8 hour races.
An early morning heavy drizzle faced competitors as they lined up for a very unusual start at Tangitaori Reserve - Pauanui Coromandel. The first 100 metres comprised of a backward paddle race with a 10 minute time bonus for the first kayak to pas the marker buoys in the Tairua Harbour.
World Champions Orion Health charged through the field to take first place and then kayaks regrouped and headed off into the misty harbour to collect a number of check points. The furthest optional check point was out at Shoe Island, across the Tairua bar and 4km off shore. Teams were confronted with challenging conditions an
d reigning ARC 12 champions Crash Bandicoot were accompanied for some of their journey by inquisitive shark.
An hour or so later and back into the harbour the hunt was now on for the NZ Navy submarine, HMS Destitute which would provide vital information for the "Operation NightHawk" mission. A number of teams made a tactical decision not to head for Shoe Island in the hope that the physical time saving would provide them with more light for the trekking section later in the day.
Meanwhile the new ARC 8 hour race was starting with a series of tubing sprints around the same 100 metre markings. This made entertaining viewing for spectators as teams waded around the buoys in pursuit of their 10 minute bonus for a win.
The next stage for all was a varied 40km mountain bike section through the Tairua Forest, farmlands, across and along the Tairua River with the next transition located at the Broken Hills campground. The drizzle had now lifted and competitors were now racing in idea conditions. The mountain bike section had several challenges. A tricky rogaine section in the Tairua Forest which allowed teams of four to split into pairs. Careful navigation across a couple of large farms with a couple of hazards including young bulls and electric fences which zapped several racers in places they won't forget.
Competitors were then faced with a swim across the Tairua River and a 20 minute trek along the river befor
e exiting in grade 2 rapids.
It was then on to the rock jump and snorkel section as racers hunted for the hidden checkpoint deep in a river pool. A chance to cool off after the tough mountain bike ride. It was then off to the rifle shoot on the Puketue Road where racers are given 5 shots at a 50 metre target winning a 2 minute time bonus for every hit. Finally before arriving at Broken Hills there was a quick diversion into the Triumph Mine to collect an optional checkpoint. The only snag was the mine was guarded by an old boar and a chance for racers to use their pig repellent.
Onto the trek which would be located around the Broken Hills area. The 24 hour teams were given a navigationally challenging trek with checkpoints to find along various unmarked tracks. There were also a number of optional checkpoints along the third branch taking teams to a beautiful kauri reserve. The ARC 12 and ARC 8 were give 4 hour and 3 hour rogaines respectively with the fitter teams also heading up the 3rd branch to the kauri reserve. Orion in the lead at Broken Hill>>
Hidden deep in one of the mines was "Operation Nighthawk". Teams were confronted with a 50/50 decision. One way along the mine would provide them with the vital clue to solving Operation NightHawk, the wrong way along the mine would see teams ambushed and shot by foreign terrorists. Sadly a dozen or so teams were lost in combat. Other teams were confronted by giant rats.
As teams came off the trek it was becoming clear that Orion Health were opening up a healthy lead on closest rivals Nga Rakau, the Chaffe Blacks and MacPac Adventure. The next stage was the activity filled mountain biking section back to the Tangitaori Reserve.
Firstly a chilly river crossing on tubes back across the wider and faster flowing section of the Tairua river. It was then on to the Flying Fox, one of the longest in the country. This was followed by a 90 metre abseil in the Tairua Forest The ARC 12 hour and 8 Hour teams would finish at Tangitarori an
d after time penalties and bonuses were added to teams elapsed time the Thames based Crash Bandicoots secured there title with a narrow win over Team Aphid in the mixed fours.
Team DBR had an impressive win in the Schools Fours and were not that far behind Crash Bandicoots. Nga Rakau Chicks won the Womens pairs, Hammer and Tong the Mixed pairs and Molemap the mens pairs.
Quickest time in the 8 Hour race went to "All the gear, no idea" winning the Mens pairs, closely followed by Craven Morebush who won the Mens 4 /3's and not far behind local team Another Guyded Tour won the Mixed 4/3's. Left Coasters from Opunake won the Schools Fours, Thumbs Up won the Mixed Pairs and DBR 3 won the Schools pairs.
The ARC 24 hour teams would carry on into night and the early morning with a final kayak rogaine along the Tairua river and a night trekking stage up to the Pauanui Trig and into the Tairua forest. The race ended with a sting in the tail as teams faced a short bush bash down to the river and a final swim across a small tributary.
Team Orion Health finishing in just under 21 hours, winning by an impressive 4 hours from nearest rivals Nga Rakau with the Chaffe Blacks following close behind. For their efforts Orion Health also won the NZ Adventure Racing Title, which this year the ARC hosted and in future years will be hosted at other events around the country..
The Army team won the Mens fours, Mix N Match won the Mixed pairs, Ozi GOT won the Womens pairs and Noumea's Outsport won the Mens pairs.Orion Health 2009 NZ Adventure Racing Champions Wayne Oxenham, Anna Berthelson, Brent Edwards and Stu Lynch >>>
It was really cool seeing Team Orion Health compete - they were awesome - and friendly too. I asked them if they were lost at on stage - they were running around the bush in circles - their navigation was so good, they didn't need to stay on the tracks!
The ARC Adventure Race - "Operation Nighthawk"
This years race attracted a record number of 68 teams and 200 competitors including current World Champions Orion Health, Team Outsport from Noumea, a crack team from the NZ Army and several school teams taking part
..in the ARC 12 and 8 hour races.
An early morning heavy drizzle faced competitors as they lined up for a very unusual start at Tangitaori Reserve - Pauanui Coromandel. The first 100 metres comprised of a backward paddle race with a 10 minute time bonus for the first kayak to pas the marker buoys in the Tairua Harbour.
World Champions Orion Health charged through the field to take first place and then kayaks regrouped and headed off into the misty harbour to collect a number of check points. The furthest optional check point was out at Shoe Island, across the Tairua bar and 4km off shore. Teams were confronted with challenging conditions an
d reigning ARC 12 champions Crash Bandicoot were accompanied for some of their journey by inquisitive shark.An hour or so later and back into the harbour the hunt was now on for the NZ Navy submarine, HMS Destitute which would provide vital information for the "Operation NightHawk" mission. A number of teams made a tactical decision not to head for Shoe Island in the hope that the physical time saving would provide them with more light for the trekking section later in the day.
Meanwhile the new ARC 8 hour race was starting with a series of tubing sprints around the same 100 metre markings. This made entertaining viewing for spectators as teams waded around the buoys in pursuit of their 10 minute bonus for a win.
The next stage for all was a varied 40km mountain bike section through the Tairua Forest, farmlands, across and along the Tairua River with the next transition located at the Broken Hills campground. The drizzle had now lifted and competitors were now racing in idea conditions. The mountain bike section had several challenges. A tricky rogaine section in the Tairua Forest which allowed teams of four to split into pairs. Careful navigation across a couple of large farms with a couple of hazards including young bulls and electric fences which zapped several racers in places they won't forget.
Competitors were then faced with a swim across the Tairua River and a 20 minute trek along the river befor
e exiting in grade 2 rapids.It was then on to the rock jump and snorkel section as racers hunted for the hidden checkpoint deep in a river pool. A chance to cool off after the tough mountain bike ride. It was then off to the rifle shoot on the Puketue Road where racers are given 5 shots at a 50 metre target winning a 2 minute time bonus for every hit. Finally before arriving at Broken Hills there was a quick diversion into the Triumph Mine to collect an optional checkpoint. The only snag was the mine was guarded by an old boar and a chance for racers to use their pig repellent.
Onto the trek which would be located around the Broken Hills area. The 24 hour teams were given a navigationally challenging trek with checkpoints to find along various unmarked tracks. There were also a number of optional checkpoints along the third branch taking teams to a beautiful kauri reserve. The ARC 12 and ARC 8 were give 4 hour and 3 hour rogaines respectively with the fitter teams also heading up the 3rd branch to the kauri reserve. Orion in the lead at Broken Hill>>
Hidden deep in one of the mines was "Operation Nighthawk". Teams were confronted with a 50/50 decision. One way along the mine would provide them with the vital clue to solving Operation NightHawk, the wrong way along the mine would see teams ambushed and shot by foreign terrorists. Sadly a dozen or so teams were lost in combat. Other teams were confronted by giant rats.
As teams came off the trek it was becoming clear that Orion Health were opening up a healthy lead on closest rivals Nga Rakau, the Chaffe Blacks and MacPac Adventure. The next stage was the activity filled mountain biking section back to the Tangitaori Reserve.
Firstly a chilly river crossing on tubes back across the wider and faster flowing section of the Tairua river. It was then on to the Flying Fox, one of the longest in the country. This was followed by a 90 metre abseil in the Tairua Forest The ARC 12 hour and 8 Hour teams would finish at Tangitarori an
d after time penalties and bonuses were added to teams elapsed time the Thames based Crash Bandicoots secured there title with a narrow win over Team Aphid in the mixed fours.Team DBR had an impressive win in the Schools Fours and were not that far behind Crash Bandicoots. Nga Rakau Chicks won the Womens pairs, Hammer and Tong the Mixed pairs and Molemap the mens pairs.
Quickest time in the 8 Hour race went to "All the gear, no idea" winning the Mens pairs, closely followed by Craven Morebush who won the Mens 4 /3's and not far behind local team Another Guyded Tour won the Mixed 4/3's. Left Coasters from Opunake won the Schools Fours, Thumbs Up won the Mixed Pairs and DBR 3 won the Schools pairs.
The ARC 24 hour teams would carry on into night and the early morning with a final kayak rogaine along the Tairua river and a night trekking stage up to the Pauanui Trig and into the Tairua forest. The race ended with a sting in the tail as teams faced a short bush bash down to the river and a final swim across a small tributary.
Team Orion Health finishing in just under 21 hours, winning by an impressive 4 hours from nearest rivals Nga Rakau with the Chaffe Blacks following close behind. For their efforts Orion Health also won the NZ Adventure Racing Title, which this year the ARC hosted and in future years will be hosted at other events around the country..
The Army team won the Mens fours, Mix N Match won the Mixed pairs, Ozi GOT won the Womens pairs and Noumea's Outsport won the Mens pairs.Orion Health 2009 NZ Adventure Racing Champions Wayne Oxenham, Anna Berthelson, Brent Edwards and Stu Lynch >>>
