Ski-O to the Olympics

[rocky]

http://bit.ly/c03zvo

IOF apply for Ski-O to join the programme for the 2018 Olympics. Anyone else excited by this? (And I've never even been xc skiing... yet).

[Ernie_Wise]

Is there anywhere that you can regulary xc ski in the UK? ...In the winter obviously...

[mharky]

Very very far up north...

Ski-O is done skate style, so to train well for it you need prepared tracks. There is a centre near Carrbridge, and also one up in the hills from Aberdeen.

[cbg]

IOF apply for Ski-O to join the programme for the 2018 Olympics.

Not for the first time, which probably aimed for the early 90s. Has it become any more TV-genic since then?

Although the navigation decision-making requirement is very similar to MTBO (and urban O), you do have to be an elite level skier who can orienteer to be competitive. That is possible in UK, as a couple of young Huntley Scottish lads proved by qualifying for Vancouver OWC, but only by being completely devoted. Simpler to grow up abroad!

[Copepod]

In early 1990s, there was a permanent cross country track (bristle surface like on outdoor ski slopes) around trees at Catterick barracks, used occasionally by members of Newcastle University Nordic Ski Club, including me. However, I don't think it was suitable for skate style skiing. Not sure if it's still there.

[mharky]

Not for the first time, which probably aimed for the early 90s. Has it become any more TV-genic since then?

“Sprint and mixed sprint relay have proven to be extremely attractive competition formats that appeal to the athletes as well as to spectators and media. Our events fit nicely into a 45-minute TV broadcast and they utilise the latest technology such as GPS tracking and biometric data to bring the drama of the competition to the spectators”, says Eivind Tonna, Chairman of the Athlete’s Commission

Presumably they have technology similar to several cycling events, where you can see the athletes heart-rate, speed, etc.

I found it interesting looking at the speed of the runners on the GPS data when they were on the run-throughs at WOC in Trondheim.

[andypat]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9126046.stm

Looking at some of the sports getting in for 2014 I'm starting to be quite confident about ski-O for 2018!

[Adventure Racer]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9126046.stm

Looking at some of the sports getting in for 2014 I'm starting to be quite confident about ski-O for 2018!

Except that all those "new sports" are variants on existing sports in the games - far easier to get a new event in an existing sport onto the programme than a totally new one.

[andypat]

Yes, but Ski orienteering is still just a variant of skiing, and not that different to biathlon but with a map instead of a gun. Compared to some of the other skiing events its pretty normal looking!

[Adventure Racer]

Yes, but Ski orienteering is still just a variant of skiing

No it's not. I mean foot orienteering isn't controlled by the IAAF is it, and neither is ski-O controlled by FIS. It would be a separate sport in the same way biathlon is (that's controlled by the IBU, not FIS). I suppose you could try and get it under the IBU umbrella as a different type of biathlon

[denzil53]

It seems that Ski-O will not be included in the 2018 Olympics after all. http://www.orienteering.org/index.php/i ... nter-Games
Shame . . . .

[andypat]

Yes, but Ski orienteering is still just a variant of skiing

No it's not. I mean foot orienteering isn't controlled by the IAAF is it, and neither is ski-O controlled by FIS. It would be a separate sport in the same way biathlon is (that's controlled by the IBU, not FIS). I suppose you could try and get it under the IBU umbrella as a different type of biathlon

Well OK - if you are talking adminstratively rather than in practice - but thats a bit like saying junior football in Scotland isnt the same as league football because its controlled by the Scottish junior football association, rather than the SFA. They're still both football to look at.

[EBenham]

Yes, but Ski orienteering is still just a variant of skiing, and not that different to biathlon but with a map instead of a gun.

Isn't this like saying Foot Orienteering is just a variant of XC running, or that MTBO is a variant of XC cycling ...!!

I heard about the prospect of Ski-O in the 2018 olympics a while ago, and I thought it would be a great idea. Not just because its part of the Orienteering 'family' but with the right GPS tracking data, mass start, spectators and some really great planning, it would be awesome to watch - even on TV. TV in fact, would probably make it more exciting and easier to follow. I wonder if the Swedes and Norwegians have tried ...

Unfortunately though, with Foot-O, MTBO and Ski-O mostly tucked away in forests away from the public eye, I don't think realistically our sports would ever be in the Olympics.

[Ravinous]

The IOF need to keep trying to get O, in any format, into the Olympics.
I have long felt the best chance for O in the Olympics is trail-O in the Paralympics. No issues of the action happening hidden out in the forest there!

There will be more on this in various locations soon but it is planned to have at least a handful of men at the 2011 Ski-O WOC in Sweden at the end of March. So if you want to kept in the loop about training camps, selection races, etc. then you can mail me at Nick (at) CompassSport.co.uk
John Kewley is likely to be the team manager.
http://www.skiwoc2011.com

[mharky]

he IOF need to keep trying to get O, in any format

Pros: More public awareness, more funding, more sponsorship

Cons: Utterly crap "orienteering" such as this year's WOC middle distance or the Stockholm World Cup...

I'd rather go real orienteering than run parade around for the cameras.