The 13th edition of the Tim Watkins Trophy (formerly and still intermittently known, from it’s Norwegian origins, as the Blodslitet) took place on Sunday at Subberthwaite and Blawith in the South Lakes. Weather conditions were unpleasant, cold and windy with intermittent squally rain, and with the parking field situated on top of a hill giving no protection from the prevailing wind even getting as far as the Start required a certain fortitude. The organisers, SROC, were quite reasonably taking safety very seriously with all competitors undergoing a thorough kit-check – so thorough that Dan was failed because his whistle wasn’t loud enough.
The TWT is a mass start long-distance event with four different courses from 9km to 17km. The courses all had a small section of gaffling, but basically it’s just a head-to-head race with the constant choice between trying to keep up with the person ahead and spending time reading the map for yourself. There were also three normal Colour-Coded courses for anyone wanting something shorter, or who doesn’t enjoy mass starts.
Subberthwaite is a great area – mainly short grass with just a few tussocky bits and lots of detailed contour and rock (and no shortage of climb). Fortunately, the bad weather didn’t include low cloud – poor visibility would have made navigation very difficult, not to mention preventing some beneficial following.
These picture (from Alex Finch) from the start give a clue about the conditions – all those cagoules and hoods. Everyone was wearing race numbers which were supposed to be “displayed visibly on the front” but you really wouldn’t know.
Nine BL members were there – seven on the mass start courses and two on Colour-Coded courses. Best results came from Keith 6th on Men’s Vets (50+), Natalie 5th on Women’s Vets and Christine 2nd on Short Green. Emma, running Women’s Open was unfortunate to badly twist her ankle two thirds of the way round while still within very close distance of the leaders.
The next Tim Watkins Trophy will probably be in two years’ time – plenty of time to forget how tough it was.
Border Liners Orienteering Club 