WMOC - "typical Jura Terrain"

[awk]

The habitual sad thing is that the long qualifier 1, being on vague terrain where it was difficult to relocate, meant that those that ask where they are as soon as they got lost leapfrog those that do it honestly. I wonder how many medallists asked where they were at some point during the week

Asking doesn't necessarily get an answer! As Gnitworp says, I'd suspect at medallist level, the answer will be none.

[EddieH]

I believe you are both far too trusting. I know for a fact that the winner of Elite1 in a Swedish O Ringen that I ran in once asked a Brit where he was on an earlier day. You won't convince me, that if a large number of Scandis found themselves making the huge error that Andy Hemsted made in the final, they wouldn't have asked where they were - enough to give Andy a medal.

Asking just seems to be a way of life in some countries, just as in a few others it is inconceivable.

[RCB]

I once had my map pulled from my hands at a control site in the Oringen by a very fast (and very good looking) swedish girl - she threw it back and headed off just as quickly as she appeared. I was impressed by the speed at which she could relocate using a different course map and not a word said between us! Had she asked then I might have taken some time to point out where she was on her map....
On other occassions I have overheard detailed discussions about next controls etc. Probably the most memorable being the JK Mens trophy relay mass start at Hawley(?) (some time ago - 1993 ?) where the front runners confirmed which first control they were going for and who was going to lead - though some of this was banter, not least comments of 'who is the new boy' .... ! Needless to say, they soon lost the new boy and I was left floundering having lost touch with the pack.

[awk]

You won't convince me, that if a large number of Scandis found themselves making the huge error that Andy Hemsted made in the final, they wouldn't have asked where they were - enough to give Andy a medal.

On this one incident, the figures don't add up. Andy made a 9 minute mistake, and finished 9 mins outside the medals. He would thus have had to have had absolutely no time loss on this leg to have got amongst the medals, and asking somebody where you are implies (a) that you have made at least a small mistake to need to ask and (b) that you will lose at least a small amount of time asking. But I accept the principle of what you say, that leaders may occasionally ask.

Asking just seems to be a way of life in some countries, just as in a few others it is inconceivable.

Exactly - although not quite as inconceivable as you might think. Personally, by the time I would have got into a situation of needing, or even thinking of asking, I'd have lost so much time as to make it simply a case of finishing!

[Bill]

At day 1 of this year's O-Ringen, one of the youngest in our group (M13) had his map snatched by an adult male competitor who then ran away with it. Our junior had to chase him for 300m or so until the map was dropped. Had then to relocate as he didn't know where he was! On the same day, another of our group had his map grabbed twice in the way to the first control.

Poor behaviour.

[EddieH]

[quote]Poor behaviour[/quote]

A bit of an understatement It seems bordering ion criminal to me - I'd ban the thief for life (and i am NOT joking).

[amanda]

I had a terrific week at my first WMOC. However, I experienced many cases of bad manners and cheating through the week and heard of lots more - people being pushed off paths and harassed at controls for a look at their map. One lady from my club was so upset at having her map tackled from her at a control by 3 waiting men that she forgot to punch.

[King Penguin]

Personally, by the time I would have got into a situation of needing, or even thinking of asking, I'd have lost so much time as to make it simply a case of finishing!

Sounds familiar - like my brain going AWOL and losing about 26 mins on leg 4 of qualifier 2. I didn't ask anyone and eventually sorted myself out, but went from A to C final in half a leg. At least it was only one aberration and I was pleased with the rest of the run.