2009 Silva Superseries Orienteering
Saturday, 7 February 2009.
World Adventure Racing Champion Brent Edwards threw out a challenge to all New Zealand elite orienteers on Saturday after an impressive Silva Superseries win in the steep pine-forested hills of the Wairarapa.
"It's a game of catch me if you can" quipped Edwards after completing the 6.6 kilometre Long distance race in just under 67.56 minutes, over two minutes ahead of former National champion Darren Ashmore.
His Adventure Racing background is likely to be Edwards's strength over the multiday orienteering events which comprise the Silva Superseries Orienteering 2009 - as it was for 2008 series winner Chris Forne, also a World Adventure Racing champion.
While Edwards's lead extends by eleven points to 54 the battle for second intensifies with Darren Ashmore and James Bradshaw locked together on 43 points, and Michael Adams and Thomas Reynolds only one point in arrears, at the approximate halfway point of the series.
Sprint Specialist Jamie Stewart, winner of two of the Silva Superseries races in 2009, finished comfortably in the middle of the field and looking ready to fire over the Middle distance race.
The elite women's field once again played second fiddle to the defending Silva Superseries champion Lizzie Ingham of Wellington, leader of the Herd Homes Central Magic team.
Ingham toughed out a 4.9 kilometre course around the steepest pine forests of the Wairarapa - a course with a profile like a Mountain Running Championship - in just over 75 minutes.
Marika Teini took second place ahead of Junior World Championships aspirant Angela Simpson from Rotorua, who seems to be racing herself into great form over 2009, defeating many experienced elites in the hilly terrain.
Junior elite Thomas Reynolds in 4th place overall is also putting pressure on the elite men in the Silva Superseries and leads the race for junior men's selection for the Junior World Championships team for Italy in 2009.
The last race of round two of the Silva Superseries, the Middle distance, takes place near Masterton on Sunday February 8.