It was a perfect mid-winter day for park orienteering in Ann Morrison,
 crisp and sunny.  Since soccer season was well behind us, we had the
 park to ourselves except for a few walkers and dogs roaming the grounds.
 This had the pleasant side effect of making the start far easier to find
 than before...
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The beginner course made a pleasant loop around the northwest corner of the
 park, and Masha eagerly took Sergey on a whirlwind tour to demonstrate her
 prowess.  While there was no other competition this time around, she is
 getting so much practice that we should all be intimidated next time!
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Most of the competition focused on the intermediate course, a classic-O loop
 around the park.  This included new arrivals fresh from the adventure racing
 circuit, Chris and John Stone, who came back looking pleased and eager to
 try the advanced course too.  Several came back for a second round after
 Simplot last month:  Dave Byrd, Scott and Mary DeWalt, the Anderson family
 (Jennifer, Katelin, and Austin) and their partner Judy Beeson.  Dave wrapped
 up the competition with a solid sub 20 minute time, just barely beating out
 the Chris and John.  All of them queried eagerly about the Veteran's Park
 meet in March...so Sergey has his work cut out for him as meet director!  Desiree
 Schildhauer remembered to come back for the control codes - very important point.
 Rick Smith and family initially thought of doing the beginner until they saw
 how  wonderful the intermediate might be. And the Didisse clan made the long trek 
 from McCall, with Karin and Bob tackling the course separately, and Karin's 
 father Bill Gookin (whose orienteering reputation precedes him from the
 warmer climes of San Diego) making a very slight mistake in copying his control to 
 control lines and missed one.  All were punched in the correct box, however,
 a point we all must remember come the August A-meet...
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The advanced course upped the ante a bit by using a line-orienteering route,
 where only a line bearing was specified, and the control placed somewhere
 along the way.  Dan Herring, looking bearded, was fooled a bit by making 
 an assumption where the last control wouldn't be...hehehe. Joell Ramirez 
 missed the same control and went back to get it to maintain his reputation.
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Sergey maintained his pace setting status, but complimented the
 course-setter by commenting on the last two being a bit tricky...  Despite the overlap 
 with intermediate and hence course advantage, Chris and John Stone also hit 
 the Advanced course to sharpen their own skills a bit further.
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<pre>
Final results:

Beginner:  1k, 0m climb, 5 controls (classic O)
-----------------------------------------------
Masha, Sergey Velichko         18:05

Intermediate:  2.7k, 15m climb, 9 controls (classic O)
------------------------------------------------------
Dave Byrd                      19:35
Chris, John Stone              19:50
Scott, Mary DeWalt             23:00
Karin Didisse                  26:18
Bob Didisse                    33:55
Smith family                   43:59
Desiree Schildhauer            47:25
Anderson family, Judy Beeson   48:50

Bill Gookin                    32:34 (missed #7 in copying map)

Advanced:  4.3k, 15m climb, 12 controls (line course)
-----------------------------------------------------
Sergey Velichko                26:28
Dan Herring                    54:20
Joell Ramirez                1:01:00

Chris, John Stone              38:40 (advantage of intermediate run)
</pre>
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Stay tuned for the next exciting episode from the CTOC - Ski-O at Ponderosa
State Park in McCall!  New course!  First club ski-O!  Skate, classic, or
snowshoe!  This may be your chance to beat Sergey...see you there!
<br>
<br>
Jeff Black