Caddihoe 2021 Report

A handful of QOs made the journey to Godshill in the New Forest to enjoy the late summer weather and moderately technical but runnable terrain to take part in the (usually) annual Caddihoe to complete for the South West Middle and Long distance titles.

In the middle distance, Andy Rimes (M55) had a good run: “My day 1 was 4.5km and mostly flat in a new area to us- the first half woodland and then onto open moorland to finish.… For my part, the course went well trying to keep as straight a line as possible between controls where the horrid holly trees would allow, and tracks when obviously a better option. Apart from one control where I floundered in the general area for a few seconds.. it was a good clean run in about 43 minutes and a top-five position- great start.”

Richard Sansbury (M50) had a difficult first few controls, but took advantage of the terrain to take the title: “My Saturday course started in the forest with only the last bit out in the open heathland. I felt rusty on the first couple of controls…. After this, I had a couple of straightforward controls which gave me time to get my act together and picked up the pace… Overall I came 4th on M50, and amazingly managed to win the south-west middle distance championship for my age class. I am usually thrashed by Peter Ward of NGOC but unfortunately for him he made a 10 minute error on one control. I still only beat him by a few seconds, but I am happy to take the rare win!”

On other courses, Jeff Pakes had a good run on M45 coming 3rd and Brian Pearson came 19th on M60.In the long distance, Richard lost out to his rival: “Sunday was my turn to make the errors. My third control was particularly difficult and cost me several minutes. The description was a ruin, so I was looking for a fragment of wall. It turned out to be a car sized concrete slab that was well hidden in the bracken. After that I didn’t have too much trouble until the very last leg, where I lost my way into the finish… Another 4th place but I was almost 20 minutes behind Peter Ward”

Andy enjoyed the continental weather, coming in 8th in M55: “Today’s event was on the Ashley Walk area which we have orienteered on a few times previously so we knew what to expect- almost entirely open, fast moorland with lots of boggy low lying areas and gentle ridges. Again an almost perfect run today until my control #17 of 19 where I approached too high and was left thrashing in neck high bracken way above the control site… This was marginally compensated for by the sight of a lovely sleek fox navigating confidently through the complex gorse thickets on the way to the finish in a manner I can only wish to emulate.”

On other courses: Jeff Pakes had another good day coming 4th in M45, Brian Pearson came 6th in M60, Tony Hext came 12th in M70, John Trayler came 13th in M75, Bill Vigar came 3rd in M85 (taking the title!) and Rosie Wych came first on the short green course.

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