Technique and strategy

Looking at that Estonian lift more closely, and reading more about it, it seems that the success of it depends on the abilty of the lifter to run with his arms unhindered, requiring the wife to hold on with her own legs by either hooking her feet together or gripping her shins from behind. Doesn't look comfortable, but I guess it lets him pump his arms, aiding speed and gaining better balance. Karen suggested another method which we shall try out, but it shall have to remain a secretive 'winged keel' as it were (unless it doesn't work out, in which case...) There is also the danger of the water in the water hazard with the head down methods (see left). I wonder if she should wear a snorkel?

We plan on starting training in earnest on Saturday. I hope my biceps have recovered from attending Karen's group fitness session last Sunday. They still ache, dammit.

I have also noticed some of the subtle differences between the Australian and the World championship courses. The Aussie is slightly shorter at 200 metres (I'm sure it will seem long enough...), although the World does include a Sprint 100 metre event (and a team event with three men and beer chugging...). Also, the 15 second penalty for dropping doesn't apply in the water, which isn't mentioned in the World rules (?). The wife limit is slightly heavier at 50kg. The Aussie also has '2 log jumps 1 water hazard and 1 mystery hazard' compared to the World 'two dry obstacles and a water obstacle, about one meter deep'. While the mystery hazard must remain a mystery (hence the name I suppose...) it would be nice to know in advance what constitutes a 'log jump' for training purposes.