Middle Qualification

Hey everyone, middle qualification today and sweden certainly turned on the sunshine for it! somewhat uncomfortable in the start area with limited shade, and the most communal toilets ive ever encountered (try facing someone a meter and half away!). Luckily it wasnt so hot in the forest though. Kate got things kicked off for the team, in the third start group, and she had to wait the longest of the girls to confirm her placing aswell, finishing in 19th place to qualify for the A final for the 2nd year in a row! Tom also had an early start, and a long wait at the finish, but in this case unfortunately he was painfully slowly nudged out of contention for the A final throughout the morning, finishing 27th. Also in the earlier starts Georgia finished 25th, Angela 37th and Scott 47th.
In the later start block, Greta ended up 30th in her heat, Tessa made a few errors to finish up 36th, one place ahead of Angela, whilst Jack with the last start of the day finished 46th. Simon was caught up by the swedish guy behind him. Unfortunately, although he could keep up with the swede, it would seem that swedes can float across marshes, whilst new zealanders, well they dont. Simon ended up 41st, one place out of the B final, although we're hoping he will be moved up to B final after laying a complaint against the Austrians for using a cellphone on the way to the start.
Personally, as last starter of the NZ girls i had a reasonable run, spiking the first control, which always helps. I managed to turn up at 5 before 4, and found the other two splits at 6 before mine, but in a qualification race everyone is under the same pressure so i knew enough other people would be making similar mistakes. I finished eighth overall, which should give a reasonable position to start from tomorrow.
So overall the team has two girls in the A final, and four in the B. At the moment its just Tom in the B final for the boys with the rest in the C, but we're hopeful for Simon.
Thanks to everyone who's watching (or trying to) from home. Tomorrow should be another sweet day of competition. The weather looks good again, so hopefully Todd will have his SPF 6 sunblock with him so we dont get burnt!! Our main aim is to have NZ's first mp-free JWOC in a long time!
Lizzie (and Tessa)