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Swiss O week: Stage 5

Yay - today was the downhill day!  With the assembly area and finish in a valley beside a river and right near the Rougemont railway station, and with shorter courses, it was a bit of a break from the uphills (though Eric's course still managed to incorporate a fair bit of climb).  Today was a later start however which meant it was quite hot and humid by the middle of the day when we went out so it was still tough.


Elise and Sam about to head to the start




The forest was muddy, very muddy and while there was less uphill, there was lots of downhill and in places it was the day for perfecting the bumslide as the quickest and safest way to descend many of the hills.  Indeed Eric had at least one leg where it was virtually impossible to descend upright as the woods were so steep and slippery.  Unfortunately Samuel took the wrong map today at the start although we weren't sure if this was his fault or the fault of the organisers.

Post race the river provided a convenient point for washing clothes and persons after the race though it was COLD.
Samuel cleaning up after the race

This is the flatter bits of Elise's course

Making up for his disqualification, Samuel was in for a treat when we got home with the shy family cat finally making an appearance and even willing to play.



Video Day 5

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