Winter season passes very quickly. Just few days ago I participated at first stage of Winter Cup, and this weekend was already the second stage - labyrinth. At first stage I had few chances to win, but at this stage I had first chance. Why? Because I like very much this kind of orienteering, and each time I try to do my best, and show good result.

 First of all I was awarded for first stage, after that made some exercises, and waited very long time to get out at the start. Finally was my time and I took map. First look - and first impression: WTF? I was like monument. I could not understand how, when and most importantly WHERE? The first control point was locate in the most unpleasant place for me: I had problem with that place during whole course. I started step by step to increase my speed and to accommodate my eyes to map. The map had 2 floors: when I went up or down I lost total contact with map. I had to stop for 10-15 seconds to understand in which side I am. Subsequent to move more easily from one floor to another, I memorized where were place previous control points, for example: 8th control point was in same room with 2nd control point, so I didn't look at details of map, just running by memory. Next: the map were 4 scales and I permanent messed which scale I was using. I finished fast, but I was afraid that I could be disqualified. However I took first place and had 43 seconds ahead of Dima Stascov. By the way I was pleasant surprised: Dima had a great race.

  The second course should be a bit difficult, because lines between control points were removed. I didn't have emotion, when I started, because Dima was disqualified. And next follower was Vova Cabis which lost almost 2 minutes. So for was just a formality to pass the second race, and I decided to run slowly without risque. But when I started, I felt more free, maybe because I already accommodated to this map. I developd a very good speed and was leading almost of control points + I decide each time to use same stairs to go up or down. In this way was faster to go up.

   And now is time to explain why set this title for article: because I really had a high speed, and many times happened kicking, salt, pushed many child. I got mad, because they moved very slowly and I was losing speed. A girl was moving slow on a narrow corridor, thus I pushed her to go faster. When I went down from stairs was another 4 girls with schoolbag, during I was passing, their bags felt down.A tall guy like me wore headphones and probably didn't expect me and, obviously, with slick sneakers and high speed I hit he very strong. He flinched and did not understand from where I came. I want to thank him because he helped me to adjust trajectory to scale. From this point of view the labyrinths are hazardous for small children, especially when were participating athletes form The Masters category. Is a fact that fight in this category is very close, and we can't relax.

  Second race, I also leaded with a minute in front of Vova Cabis. This stage of winter cup gave my second maximal points for overall ranking. 

  Below is attached the map of first race: