WOC Relay - who's going to win?

[buzz]

Phew that was exciting - Thierry getting another insect bite, GB getting 4th and my 2yr old poking me in the eye cheering Scott over the line! Very well done chaps!

[andypat]

Yes - well done. Competing on a level with the very best and keeping it together. Inspiring stuff.

[Patrick]

Was GPS visible before the start

There were sections where they they had the tracks up on the big screen but with the map blurred out, so you could see if people were doing different things without knowing why they were doing it. You could probably gain a few clues from seeing it, but it would have needed a lot of interpretation. It clearly didn't help Thierry anyway.

I've just got back from the arena - what an amazing day! Both relays were fantastic entertainment and the excitement in the crowd while the last leg runners were out was great to be a part of. The pace the top guys go at is astonishing. The British men were matching the best in the world all the way and nearly got the result their efforts deserved. A shame JD couldn't bow out with another medal, but I'm sure he'll be happy with the performance. Well done to all the team.

Patrick

[JEP]

The gaffling was interesting. Pretty minimal on Leg 1 - just two controls - almost as if organisers wanted to ensure the race stayed together - which it did - 9/10 teams through leg in 20 secs. The gaffling was also limited on Legs 2 and 3 - 20 contols out of 24 were common. A close finish was almost guaranteed. Great for TV and spectators. It meant the longer gaffles on Leg 3 were crucial and coul;d have decided the race.

[JEP]

The women had 10 out of 12 common controls on Leg 1, 19 out of 22 on Leg 2 and 20 out of 22 on Leg 3. Rather than making it difficult for trains to develop they were encouraged to make a close race. The nature of relays at this level has changed with TV and spectators in mind.

[awk]

To some extent, the men's race was a bit like watching some of the 10k and 5k races in a major Championship - a pace being set at the front, with runners gradually being dropped off the back, and then a decisive kick towards the end - even a sprint over the last lap for the bronze and minor placings. Certainly proved a great race to watch, and the light gaffeling seemed to add to that.

Women's was also, but for a different reason - the topys-turvy changing fortunes amongst the leaders (similar to the way the Middle and Long panned out).

[DaveK]

Excellent result. Also good to see the B.O. website with up to date information on the team's successes (not that I would ordinarily look there first). Swiss TV coverage today was fantastic. What chance the BBC?

[Adrian]

I agree that the light gaffling, short first leg and relatively benign control sitings made for an exciting race. Somehow I got the impression though that Gueorgiou had an easier course than everyone else (though not quite as easy as he thought!*) - I suppose I ought to go back and check; maybe Gonon had the longer gaffles. I don't mind the sprint and relay being spectator-friendly, but the long race(s) should remain a proper test of orienteering.

*Although Tero's error was unprofessional, at least he ought to be praised for attempting to make a race of it.

http://reentrant.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/oh-tero/