A Chilly Pembrey

Graham:

Well this weekend event was thoroughly enjoyable. Temperature was -2 and clear skies at the Pembrey Forest rally site on Saturday morning. A quick check of entries, start times, race course is 4 miles for 6 & 4 dog teams. Good. Looks a nice route. Not too many entries, but their never usually is. A bit too far West for a lot of teams. Never mind.

Did the usual pre-race prep. Up to the start line ably assisted by the usual gang (Debs, Roly and Lou), Roger was marshalling. Sue had an earlier start time and had already gone out. Millie & Lia are doing their usual screaming, Spirit & Dudley are a little more controlled, but equally as enthusiastic. Dogs on and 1 minute to go. Stretch, Focus, Stretch & focus. 5-4-3-2-1 and away !!

Good fast start, hit 23mph 150-200 metres out. 500metres on and hit the first sweeping left turn off the main trail. No problem. On a lovely grassy surface now and going well. A blind sharp right hander coming up fast. Marshall Jill Pitcher up ahead in middle of trail with arms directing the turn. Oh Hell she's spooked the girls, Geeee, no Geee!! got them round and going again having lost about 5 seconds. Bugger, too late now. I am sure Jill meant well. Anyway, were back on pace and zipping through the meadow, very frosty on this nice grassy surface. Went past the old course turning with a bit of a glance from the girls. On By-On By, good got by that OK. Next right turn coming up, no problem and on up the roller coaster narrow trail. Off and running up the final sharp incline. Over the top and down to another sharp right turn.

Full tilt now and off the brakes for this turn. Almost broadside, but the rig holds firm and we pull away nicely. The team are holding the pace with lines still tight. A nice fast undulating section still on about 19-20mph down to a left turn. No problem and 200 metres up a grassy section again, down past the old course sand dune turn, the girls glance a bit harder. On-byyy! Phew, next fast right hander again onto a smooth road section and still going well. Last right turn coming up and were on the home stretch coming up to 10 minutes. This is not 4 miles. Never mind. It's a good run. The team picks up as we hear the calls finishing strongly in 11.19 minutes and a distance of 3.35 miles. Holding first place for now.