Saturday, December 14 dawned warm (for December, anyhow), windy, and rainy, 
keeping the course setter both sweaty and wet during the morning's setup at 
Simplot Sports Complex. However, by the time of the first start at 11AM, the 
rain had cleared, leaving conditions perfect for both orienteering (except when 
running into the wind) and kite flying.
<br>
<br>
The somewhat gnarly weather evidently scared away the beginners and kids (or at 
least the parents of the kids), as there were no takers for the Easy course.
<br>
<br>
The Intermediate course was a standard 13-control 4.26km course that criss-
crossed the Complex a couple of times, with a small amount of route choice 
(hey,let's face it, the main route choice at Simplot is "run in a straight line 
until you reach the control").  Times were fast, with David Byrd blasting 
through the course in top form.
<br>
<br>
In an effort to make the 5.51km Advanced course somewhat interesting, it was set 
as a "blank map" course, with nothing on the paper but the control descriptions, 
the map scale, and the control locations. This put total emphasis on bearings 
and pace counting (although given that the course criss-crossed the map 3 times, 
a number of folks found that using the already-found controls as attack points 
was a reasonable approach).  Sergey and Jeff made it a tight race, with Sergey 
narrowly snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Surprisingly, newcomers 
Brian Baker, Jim Coupe, Deb Parsons and Jen Garretson managed to finish the 
course in good time, although Deb&Jen were too intent in savoring their victory 
over Brian&Jim to realize they hadn't finished the course.  Ah, well, it's the 
victory celebration that counts anyhow, not the victory itself.
<br>
<br>
As has become tradition with the Simplot meets, the after-meet course analysis 
and guzzling party was held at Schlotzsky's Deli on Broadway (good food, but no 
beer, more's the pity).
<br>
<br>
Thanks to Jeff Black and Dave Bergset for the help with the after-meet control 
pickup. Much appreciated, guys!
<br>
<br>
Mark your calendars for the next meet on January 18, on the Julia Davis Park/BSU 
map (start at the BSU start area -- see
http://velichko.home.mindspring.com/ctoc/maps.htm#JuliaDavis for directions).
<br>
<br>
See ya there!
<br>
<br>
Andy Hill
<br>

<pre>
-----------------------------------------------

Final results:

Easy:  1.88km, 10m climb, 6 controls
-----------------------------------------------
No Takers

Intermediate:  4.26km, 25m climb, 13 controls
------------------------------------------------------
David Byrd                     23:20
Keith Folske                   26:44
Doug LaMott                    30:22
Karin Didisse                  37:24
Bob Didisse                    57:10

Advanced:  5.51km, 25m climb, 16 controls
-----------------------------------------------------
Sergey Velichko                32:23
Jeff Black                     33:04
Dave Bergset                   55:52
Brian Baker/Jim Coupe          69:11
Dan Herring                    84:40
Deb Parsons/Jen Garretson      DNF
</pre>