Sprint Relay - IOF rules published

[Spookster]

IOF has published an article about the new Sprint Relay format to be used at WOC (from 2014), which will also be used at World Games 2013.

The WOC Sprint Relay rules are here.

I'm intrigued by this rule: "Four laps: two women and two men with a fixed running order woman-man-man-woman as this running order will create more drama for spectators".

Are sprint finishes involving women more exciting than those involving men?!

[Ali Wood]

Anything that involves the carrying of (and potential weapon-like use of) handbags is bound to be more exciting

[SJC]

"Four laps: two women and two men with a fixed running order woman-man-man-woman as this running order.

It would be far more interesting to have all the legs of a similar length and allow the teams to choose their own running order.

[graeme]

Loads of gaffling: it allows up to 8 first controls...
Anyone (else) fancy planning one in the UK?

[andypat]

I guess what they mean is that if the teams could choose their own running order (men/women), noone would know who was winning till the end - and that would make for crap TV