VHI 2014

Veteran Home International September 2014 Report (by Mike)

Here are some observations about the weekend:

Results Table
England	Scotland	Wales	Ireland
Individual event
138	125	92	68
Relays
116	90	66	40
Overall Scores
254	215	158	108

With Scotland back to full strength, Wales came 3rd ahead of Ireland.

MWOC members, Gabriella, Clive and myself, all scored points for Wales, Gabriella went better than she expected and Clive was promoted to being an M35 for tactical reasons on day 1 (justified, as Al Powell scored maximum points in M 45 as a result)

There were somewhat early starts on both days. We headed off from Mid-Wales in time for starts between 10 and 11 AM on the individual day, and on Sunday the first leg relay runners started at 9.30, well before the Caddihoe chasing start.

Blakeney Hill (individual) and Mallards Pike (relays) were both mixed forest areas, mostly fairly runnable and with plenty of contour and other detail.

The relay assembly was in an ex-mining cleared tip area, making for a natural arena.

The weather both days was excellent for orienteering, cool to start with, and with the sun trying to break through. A nice time of year to be in the Forest of Dean.

Wales, Ireland and England took over the Welsh Bicknor youth hostel, in an amazing setting and not too institutional. Clive initially was billeted in a female dormitory, but then was moved out due to quarantine issues (not his) and had to sleep on the floor in a lounge.

As a result of his uncomplaining acceptance of the age and sex change Clive was awarded a buff (visible in picture).

The meal in a nearby village hall was very well organised and very edible too. SW juniors were given the task of serving, which went very well and balanced out the ages a bit.

Sophie Brown was our team manager and did a brilliant job (without a clipboard) (sorry, in joke). She also sourced the new Welsh O tops which got a lot of very positive comment.

I didn't hear of any reports of wild boar attacks although did myself disturb something quite large whilst messing up my relay run. It went off in the opposite direction and I didn't look back....

(full result details can be found on http://ngocweb.com/caddihoe/results/ )