9th December 2008

Dear Competitor

This year’s 41^st Tour de Trigs turned out to be different to previous years in many ways.

Each Tour de Trigs takes on its own characteristics and this year was no exception. The combination of the route and the good weather for Hiking speeded up the front (fastest competitors) of the Hike considerably. Though the temperature did drop to 5degrees Celsius. The back of the hike as usual became very bunched yet again. In some respects the route in parts was easier physically than last years but was still challenging fornavigation. This proberly accounted for the large drop out (See the results statistics sheet). The winning time was very quick and shows the value of considerable training, both physically and in map reading skills. Very well done.

Not known to you but to the staff we had a fire alarm at the H.Q in the middle of Saturday afternoon, which necessitated the complete evacuation of the buildings, and devolvement of the emergency running of the Hike to two of my Key staff out on the route. The emergency plan swung gratifyingly into action and worked until the cause was found and we resumed normal service.

The results and statistics show the whole picture. Congratulations to those who completed and commiserations to those who failed to finish. We hope you will be back to try again next year. From the comments at the finish, in the dining room afterwards and on the web mail, you enjoyed (if that is the right word) the route and event. I will certainly be passing on the thank yous to the staff, especially the checkpoint marshals.

We will be writing to you all and include your tallies and certificates if you had to head off early and unable to attend the presentation. Likewise those who were not able to collect their trophies, will be contacted.

We have some lost property, which could be yours, so please contact us; it might have been handed in. Each year we have items, which are never claimed, and we dispose of after 2 weeks from the event.

There are souvenir items for sale, from this year and past years. Please contact us. They make great reminders of your achievements or Christmas presents.

May I finally say thank you for taking part in the competition, and with good humour.

The organizing staff of the Tour de Trigs wish you all a Happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Yours in Scouting

Ron Sangster
Tour de Trigs Chairman and Hike Controller