tempo and trailo at the JK

[frog]

Are these mainly aimed at wheelchair athletes? I've not really come across them before, apart from when a local club did something they called a trail o to try and get some runners interested in orienteering. The JK event details mentions paralympic elites for the trailo which make it sound like the orienteering equivalent of the wheelchair marathon, but doesn't make it clear if able bodied runners can take part or not, or if they'd feel a bit silly being the only person not in a wheel chair. Anyone been to one of these before? I found the TempO details totally baffling, sounds worse than Robin Strain's DominO.

[Trailman]

TempO and TrailO is for both able bodied and anybody with disabilities. If you enjoy the complexities of map reading then these events are for you. You will get full instructions before you start plus demo controls to introduce you to the skills required.

TempO are all time controls and those who get the most right in the shortest time win.

TrailO on the other hand is to complete the course within a maximum time.

In both you have to view a cluster of kites and work out which one fits the circle position and description.

Its harder than you may think as you are not allowed to leave the marked path and may have to view from a distance.

All I say why not give it a go and see if its one for you.

On TempO there is one course for all. With TrailO there is an elite and Novice course available.

Peter Roberts
JK TrailO and TempO planner

[Freefall]

Please be aware of the restrictions and unusual timings of the tempo and trailo at the JK. It's all been a bit complicated in terms of use of the area so check these details carefully.

Colin Matheson
Day 3 Organiser

[Trailman]

Revised times have been put on website. Check before making arrangements.

Peter Roberts

[graeme]

I think what frog is asking (and what has always confused me), is what aspect of trail-O puts wheelchair athletes at a disadvantage such that they require a separate class?

It is basically a mental challenge. Fine: the olympics recognises bridge and chess as sports too, but there wheelchair "athletes"* compete on equal terms with everyone else.

Graeme

*I put this in quotes since "athlete" is not an expression I've ever heard bridge or chess players use of themselves, though this may have changed since I quit playing.

[pete.owens]

Well one aspect that gives a slight advantage to able bodied competitors is the time limit.

This is set so that you could get round the course in a wheel chair and have enough time to thoroughly view all the controls - but it certainly is an advantage if you can walk briskly between them and have an extra couple of minutes to cover each cluster from every possible legal angle. I have seen a competitor use every minute available and have to sprint for the finish in order to avoid a time penalty.

It is worth taking a look at:
http://www.trailo.org/
to get an idea of what it is all about.

[Trailman]

There is a new British Orienteering Trail O committee just formed in February 2009 and I am the chairman of it. Work is currently underway to raise the profile of this sport but has been held up as all my spare time is being devoted to planning the TempO and Trail O at the JK.

If you can offer any support in its development either respond through here or speak to me at the JK.

At the JK there are two courses on offer - Elite and Novice with different classes on the elite. There is a maximum time to complete the course but other than the time controls you are not graded on time taken.

Viewing a cluster of controls and terrain from a distance is not easy. The map will have been modified to look right from the viewpoint. Orienteering maps in general are made to a birds eye view so that when you run into the area of the control things look right. In Trail O viewing is from a viewpoint so it is essential you can see all the features in their correct position to each other. Beware the feature you cannot see with the flag on. That will be the Z option. ie none of them.

At the JK we will have demo controls for you to try before you start, Enjoy

I am a paralympic competitor as I can no longer take part in mainstream orienteering due to health reasons. (and I really wish I could). This sport offer me the chance to use my map reading skills without the risk of injury. Modern day Trail O is challenging - why not give it a go.

You see my picture in FOCUS - now see me at the JK.

Peter Roberts
Ebor

[frog]

Thanks, that's explained what they are a bit. I'm surprised wheelchair orienteers are slower than running ones, I'd assumed a good wheelchair athlete would be faster, like at the London marathon, but I suppose roads are straighter than paths. Being taller probably has an advantage as well if you're spotting controls at a distance. I hadn't realised you didn't go up to all the controls and just viewed them from a distance. I'd envisaged it as being more like mountain bike orienteering.

[Trailman]

Wheelchairs are generally faster the walking competitors but the point is that the sport is open to all. Whether you are disabled or able bodied you can compete on the same course and the person who gets the highest score with the shortest time on time controls is the winner of the open class.

The disabled in the paralympic class get their own prizes aswell.

The Elite classes are being used as selection races for the World Trail Orienteering champs 09 in Hungary. Why not give it a go - you may win and find yourself in the team!!

Peter Roberts

[Gross]

The Elite classes are being used as selection races for the World Trail Orienteering champs 09 in Hungary. Why not give it a go - you may win and find yourself in the team!!

Sorry but I find that comment a bit off. If trail O wants to be treated as a serious sport with a World Championships then it should not be be possible to just 'turn up' and get in the WTOC Team.... what happens to athlete dedication, training, preperation etc etc

[Scott]

Fell running takes itself pretty seriously as a sport, but I can think of examples of good road runners turning up to the selection race having never run off-road before, winning and going straight into the WMRT team (Andi Jones being the most famous case) - and, for that matter, a few examples going the other way, such as Kenny Stuart winning the Berlin Marathon... I don't see why a good orienteer might not be able to do the same with Trail-O.

[Gross]

Of course it's possible.... but they don't promote the idea of 'turn up' and you can get in the team.

[Simon]

I don't see why a good orienteer might not be able to do the same with Trail-O.

Ah, but there is a difference with trail-o. By the very nature of the competition it would be possible, though unlikely, for someone to guess the correct answer at every control without looking at the map or flags.

[Trailman]

Perhaps I should explain more. For the first time ever open class competitors are to be allowed in the team competition for the world champs. Therefore this is the first time GB has had an eligible team in the open class.

As we have not had an open team before everyone has a chance of being selected albeit that the selectors will be taking past form into the equation.

I just threw that in to get you to attend. Never mind writing and sniping why not give it a go. You may be surprised.

As for guessing the answers - if there are 4 flags you have 20% chance to get them right. It might be any one of the 4 plus none of them.

I challenge you now - why not enter and see how you do. Can you precisely see where a contour goes on a hillside. It is well to read the rules first as the precise location and description is paramount.

Its serious fun

Peter Roberts

[Gross]

Therefore this is the first time GB has had an eligible team in the open class.

As we have not had an open team before everyone has a chance of being selected albeit that the selectors will be taking past form into the equation.

Which makes my original post redundant