Series A Race 2- Sunday June 14, 2006,

Fenton Lake State Park, New Mexico

This was the second race of the 2006 New Mexico State Championship Sprint Series.  This race favored those that were able to orienteer on the fly. Participants were responsible to bring a canoe/ 2-person kayak, PFDs & paddles, mountain bikes and approved helmets, and running gear.

The race started with a long trekking section, at which they were looking for two mandatory and one optional checkpoint. The first team in found all three checkpoints; Team 24Seven arrived at the transition point at 2:24 (two hours and 24 minutes), and quickly went on to paddle in search of one checkpoint, each restrected to 1/2 of a paddle, returning 20 minutes later at 3:02. They then went on to the bike leg looking for the last two checkpoints.

The second and third teams into the transition (3:01 and 3:02) did not find the checkpoints as they had missed the turn into Spring Canyon, instead findind themselves too far west and unable to compensate. Each of these teams paddled the lake and quit the race at 3:18 and 3:24 respectively.

Skandia was the next team in that found all three trekking checkpoints (3:16), at the expense of a pair of sunglasses at the top of Spring Canyon. They transitioned to the water, restricted to one paddle between them, returning after the water checkpoint in 18 minutes at 3:34. They then went out on their bikes after the last two checkpoints.

Both team 24Seven and Team Skandia returned as a group after failing to find the bike checkpoints, after four hours of racing. Team 24Seven agreed to split first place with Team Skandia.

Our final team also missed the turn into Spring Canyon, and was returned to the transition area at 3:40. They went on to mountain biking on their own.

This event was challenging for everyone due to the length of the trekking section, windfall, and overgrowth of pricker-plants in the canyon. Overall the teams were tired and scratched up, and some egos were brused, but this is what adventure racing is all about - races lasting approximately two to four hours in length, which provide training and learning opportunities. Each race is setup with the intent that everyone can complete it, regardless of adventure racing experience. Unfortunately, a couple teams followed the leading team off course, which led to their race outcome.

Results:

 Pictures:

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