World Champs

[madmike]

Well there were people wandering about in some parts in the video feed, although it didn't look busy.

They kept the race away from the busy parts of Venice - started in the area where the model event has been and then didn't go very far West.

Not going to be a Venice Race in November for certain - discussions underway for 2015.

[andy]

In 1978, WOC was planned by a Junior (Just long and ungaffled (?) relay back then.) I wonder however what the average age the Italian planners are, and indeed, the British ones will be in 2015... Maybe Mad Mike and Freefall can tell us!?

The average age of Italian planners at WOC I estimate to be late 20s. The spectator race planners vary from 22 to 60 something.

2015 planner average age is 50+

[DJM]

The average age of Italian planners at WOC I estimate to be late 20s. The spectator race planners vary from 22 to 60 something.

Much the same at the 2013 WMOC in Italy where all the planners were M/W21s; and at least one was running for Italy in last week's WOC.

[Freefall]

Sprint Final was planned by 49 year old Janos Manarin who was also the WOC Event Director.
Long Distance planned by Fabio Hueller (43 years old).
Senior Event Adviser approaching 60 (Bjorn).

Cannot advise on others

[graeme]

2014 WOC Forest Champions : an M21, a W21, an M35 and a W35 Average age 32.
That's slightly down from 2013, when again two golds went to 21s and 2 to 35s.

[Kitch]

Kate says I should have a shot a the team for next year
But to add to the impact / achievement I'm not to do any particular training ...

[canol]

Like it Kitch.

As a novice M21 I was told M21A was the hardest course at a National Event and that M21E would be the best course for a novice to run. So three hours later I finished! but had actually enjoyed the experience and only worried about getting in the way of real M21 Elites.

Now I struggle to get round M45S (where did it all go wrong!!?) but still enjoying it just as much.

[Lard]

Kate says I should have a shot a the team for next year
But to add to the impact / achievement I'm not to do any particular training ...

Aye, if you were to put in the appropriate training I'm sure you'd break. Like it was in your day Kitch it's still tough at the top. Not so difficult to be 20% behind our guys in a race but a hell of a lot more effort reuired to get up close (not something can be achieved in 11 months).

I'm sure they'd benefit from your help and support tho and the girls might slow down enough to let you shadow them

[DIDSCO]

The top guys nowadays are technically a lot better than back in Kitch's days (early - middle 90's). So Kitch is likely to break his brain and his legs trying to make WOC

[Freefall]

Short summary video I found for WOC 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pdFH8rnzv4

[kedge]

One point, Freefall, to note for next year.

You had better make sure that some representatives of the GB FootO team turn up for the Opening Ceremony: either that or arrange for a few ringers to impersonate them.

This year at the opening ceremony in Asiago, not a single member of the FootO team or its entourage turned up for the parade of athletes into the town square. If the TrailO squad hadn't been there, there would have been a poor little lad with his Great Britain banner, and nobody to follow him nor anyone to carry the provided flag! Which would have been embarassing for both the GB squad and their Italian hosts.

I realise that some members of the team had just run that day, and that others were running the day afterwards and may not have wanted to stand for 60+ minutes in the blazing sun with nowhere to sit down, but surely someone could have turned up.

[mharky]

No.

WOC organisers have no influence whatsoever in who turns up to the opening ceremony.

Athletes should only ever go to the opening ceremony if it is convenient and will not interfere with their races or preparation for them.

If the organisers can't make the opening ceremony convenient then they run the risk of athletes missing it.

[andy]

If the organisers can't make the opening ceremony convenient then they run the risk of athletes missing it.

This, totally this. If teams don't turn up to the opening ceremony it is the fault of the person who organised the schedule.

[kedge]

If teams don't turn up to the opening ceremony it is the fault of the person who organised the schedule.

I wouldn't disagree. My point is, every other country sent representatives, so it clearly wasn't the fault of the schedule. If everyone else managed to turn up, even those teams based in Lavarone rather than Asiago, why couldn't the GB team muster at least a token presence?

[andy]

I wouldn't disagree. My point is, every other country sent representatives, so it clearly wasn't the fault of the schedule. If everyone else managed to turn up, even those teams based in Lavarone rather than Asiago, why couldn't the GB team muster at least a token presence?

You're aiming your gripe at the wrong place then, aim it at those who organise the GB team.