Level 1 Regional Championships (trophies and titles)

[graeme]

Actually, I didn't select the data to prove anything, but you're not to know. Moreover, I'm not trying to support the argument that having an open class will bring the all the punters along in large numbers. - I don't even believe it's true.

This event is somewhat personal, my club organised it, and as SOA competitions convenor (after consulting many people) I had the unpleasant task of telling the organisers that their proposed area was unacceptable for an event as important as the Scottish Champs (especially given the damage done to the events reputation by some dodgy ones in the recent past).

The elite classes aren't really relevant - it wasn't a UK cup race or a selection race. We knew the English wouldn't show up, prizes or no prizes.

What is relevant is that it was an very good race, and attracted a top-class field, almost none of whom lived within daytrip driving distance of the area.

I think there is a need for some events where the quality of the orienteering is paramount, and good people take it seriously. And I think the main aim of these races should not be to "bring the punters along in large numbers": it should be to provide quality competition for a quality field. This motivated the decision to move from a low-quality, highly accessible area to a high-quality less accessible one.

Perhaps the most self-harming aspect of orienteering is the continual battle between those who want "participation" and those who want "competition". Over 20 years the whole event structure has flip-flopped as one group or the other gained the upper hand.
Part of the motivation in the structure review was acknowledge that these two important
goals are sometimes contradictory, and when they are suggest which events should promote quality competition (L1) and which should promote participation (L2, plus the JK in my opinion).

[EddieH]

If you are responsible for a decent area at last year's SOC Graeme, then THANK YOU.