Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast-Race Report

And they are off.......

This was the scene at the start line of the Blast this past Saturday. It was quit a sight seeing 40 people running up past the magic carpet at Ohau. After things thinned out a bit it was Gena who had the early lead and was first out of CP1 (Check Point 1), with Geoff close behind. The ski from CP1 to CP2 was trick to say the least in the white out conditions that came in about 5 min's after starting the race and that's were most people went a stray (funny how that worked out, it was by far the easiest and most dull part of the race if you could see were to go?). Geoff took the lead out of CP2 and was the first to reach Henry at CP3. By CP4 Geoff had a couple of minutes on Gena and had already started the final climb before Gena arrived. It was far from over as Gena managed to pull Geoff back in on the final climb and arrived at the final check point first. Unfortunately for Gena it wasn't enough and Geoff ran him down on the final ski to win by 1 minute.
While Geoff and Gena battled it out for first, Gary and Nigel did the same for 3rd, with Gary passing Nigel on the final climb for an impressive finish after having ankle surgery earlier this winter. Nigel-nice dress!

Jane quietly went about her business and spent most the race in "no mans land" winning the lady's race and taking 3rd over all! Kath and Sally finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Special mention needs to go out to Tina, who did come in last, but amazingly this was her first time on skin's!! Tina did the +/-950 meter vertical race in just over 3hrs, not bad for her first time skinning.

Big thanks to every one that made this event a success, look forward to seeing you at Turoa on the 18th of August!

Racers lining up for the start.

Gary, Gena and Geoff, top 3 males in race class.

Gena takes an early lead.

"Outdoor Cool"? maybe, best dressed, definitely!