Congrats on destroying the course!
To #1...well on my second (third?) try for the day, I tried Mark's line and it was great, the ridge/spur thing guided right up with easy movement and great visibility.
For the run in, I wasn't certain I would short cut, but then I decided if I could see the blue gazebo, I would run straight at it. Tom looked to have used the same idea.
RE Orange...Pat has thrown down some solid splits before.
EG, winning some green legs