Rank Outsiders:: A view from the top

I was back for a 3rd year and again with a different partner, my 17 year old brother Rick. The first year and my first race we got 3rd and last year the 2nd male team so of course I hoped the trend would continue but with adventure racing things don't always go to plan so we just aimed to give our best and hope it would get us a good result. As usual the days before the race Rick's over protective and ability underestimating mother questioned me if he would be up to it so I had to convince her he would do just fine.

Race day came and we went through the usual getting ready process, drop bike off, register, hydrate, eat, figure out the course and warm up. As always no matter how prepared you are it is still a rush to get to the start line on time. The hardest part of these races is still covering the map with contact, I'll figure it out one day.

We were confident our fitness would be ok so the game plan was simple, don't stuff up. The horn went and everyone charged off at a pace that had me a little worried for the first 500m. Grab the first checkpoint and run back to the kayaks with most of the field going the opposite direction, definitely not for the faint hearted and a good side step kept me in one piece. We quickly grabbed the kayak and off we went. Paddling along we got to CP2 but only saw some red and white tape. "I'm sure Max Adventure uses the orienteering markers" I said to Rick. Looking for the CP the rest of the field caught up and we figured out that was it. "Ok, from know on we are looking for red and white tape", maybe someone forgot the read the race instructions properly or listen at the briefing, possibly my fault.

We were neck and neck with 2nd place out of the kayak and then onto the run. Straight up a hill is not the best way to get the legs going off a kayak but 5 mins later it was all good. We quickly pulled out a lead and were going well up to CP8. Due to some mid-race loss of concentration and dodgy navigating on my part we took the scenic route to CP9 and lost 2 places, there is the stuff up I planned on not doing, happens every race. The run was supposed to be our strength so being behind with the canoe and bike to go was not ideal. A little bit of cursing, knocked back a Gu and we were back in our stride chasing after the leaders. It was then onto the canoe for a short paddle where we crossed paths with 1st and 2nd who were both very surprised to see us behind them. Quickly out of the canoe and 2 mins off the lead. The equation was simple, a bit over an hour of racing left and 2 minutes to make up, time to go for it. A short sprint over to the bikes a fast transition and we were away.

A lack of landmarks or crossroads, mixed with a fast track was always going to make finding the bike checkpoints a bit harder. Taking care we grabbed the checkpoints and by CP18 had the lead back. We knew we had the lead on the blue course but not knowing about the other courses it was still game on so maximum effort for the last 30mins. Another smooth transition and a short run to the finish with our fingers crossed none of the other courses were ahead. We crossed the line in 2.28 and 1st place. We excepted 2nd to be close behind us but not until 11 minutes later the rest started coming in quickly.

Thanks to the Max Adventure team for another very well organised event, the marshals at the TA's who were so quick at punching the cards, all the other competitors for making it a great race and last but not least my partner Rick who stayed with me even if it did cause a bit of pain.

Kristopher Plain