O-Ringen Countdown

With only three days until the beginning of the world's biggest orienteering carnival, O-Ringen 2012, it's time to check in with the West family and weigh up their odds for this years title!




Dad-
Claiming having only gained 4kg since the beginning of the Euro trip, although we both know it's more like 6, Dad is definitely more suited to the M45A Short course for this years event. While his training hours have decreased over the last month (despite his morning runs), it's his change in diet that is of most concern- FYI beer and chips are not usually considered as there own food groups. Running in a field of just over ??? heres hoping Dad can finish in at least the top half and prove that beer is better than Powerade!


Mum-
While starting strong at the beginning of the trip, Mum has fallen victim to the warmth of her sleeping bag and European pastries in more recent weeks. With a mammoth 2.5km walk to the start on almost every day of the carnival, rumors have been circulating that her goal of the competition is to make it to the start of her race and drink more ciders than k's. Having tapered for the past three weeks, I'm sure that these goals are more than achievable. With all rumors aside, I'm sure that by following her age old technique technique- the tortoise and the hare- Mum will wow the Swedes with her Orienteering ability.

Jake-
With legs as long as half the Swedish trees, Jake is relying on these secret weapons to pull him through with the goods. After a lack of training in preperation for this event, Jake is taking up the challange and running the A course for his age division. With a positive past in orienteering carnivals one question remains- How will one of Australia's best fair amongst his European counterparts?

Luke-
As the youngest and, if you ask me, still the shortest of the Wests, Luke is hoping to make his name known on European soil. Despite a not so successful race in Sherwood forest, lack of training and departure of his coach only a few days before Competiton, I'm sure Luke will pull it all together and put forward a very competitive time in M13 - if he manages to keep his eye on the prize and not on the different varieties of European pine cone. Will Luke be able to live up to his name of 'The Wonder Child'?

All I can say it that time will only tell!

Jessie