Controller's Comment Andrew Tarr (DEE)
This combination of areas had not been used before, but Carol's estimate of running speeds produced the right winning times across the spectrum, despite the prevailing conditions (which were forecast to be less pleasant). Brilliant runs from familiar performers in M50, W55 and M60 stand out; their courses could have been a shade longer - for everyone else they look right. Courses which used the western wood look long, but the split times don't suggest any difference in running speed between the two parts. The splits show that after 24 controls, only 15 seconds separated the first three on M21L !
Carol wanted to offer a Green course in addition to the normal TD1-4 colours, but we settled for the 21V alternative, which as usual found no takers, presumably because of unfamiliarity and cost. There is now no detectable difference in 'product' between age-based courses and colour-coded, so customers may be reluctant to pay the premium. We await the outcome of the proposal to merge the two systems.
My thanks on your behalf to planner Carol, printer Iain and organiser Sue for all the work they put in during December and January, and to the many on-the-day helpers for running a smooth event. It was a pleasure to join the team.