BOC

[RS]

If BOC is supposed to be our premier showcase event, why is it not a selection race for World Champs etc to ensure the elites attend? Discuss.


Looking at the start lists so far, there are very few squaddies entered. (well done to those who have and I'm not surprised to see their names as they always support home competitions when they can). As most receive some sort of funding, why not stipulate they have to incorporate certain races in their schedules - this might make their profile higher and the general O community aware of who they are, not just names and photos in Focus etc.

[graeme]

There are a whole bunch of reasons, none of which I ever found very convincing. Not that I've ever been in that position.

1/ The terrain is irrelevant - true, but in practice its the same old names who get selected for sure, and the second flight who battle it out for the next few places.

2/ The timing is wrong - there's some idea that you shouldn't peak in the spring and again in the autumn. But traditionally the "second flight" have had to peak for a selection race maybe 6 weeks ahead, then if they get in, try to peak again. This also seems sub-optimal, the best guys surely don't (see e.g. Jamie's lacklustre performances at selection races compared with finals). Moreover, its a bit of a lottery, and someone hoping for a sprint spot might find himself offered only a place in the long - well he's not going to turn it down, but probably he just spent a year doing the wrong type of training with only six weeks to fix it.

3/ The course/map/area is crap - there have certainly been problems with BOCs in the past, this may improve now the squad appoints technical advisors to the planners (or not, given who they've chosen ). But mistakes happen, and the last set of selection races I did (2008) had all sorts of problems ... and produced a gold medal winning team.

Whatever you do, the selectors will ensure potential medallists will get in, and with them a handful of others from a group of possibles. For the "team GB" it probably doesn't matter who those people are, they might just qualify and finish near the bottom of the final, or just miss out.

Many orienteers have a very negative of "elitist elites", which could be dispelled if they ran domestically. I think you're right, the squad is really missing a trick here.

[EddieH]

I think it's really sad that the British Championships seem to lack status for some - (it used to be the JK that was considered a bit more expendable). However just look how lowly the World Championships is viewed in many sports, particularly in an Olympic year.

[distracted]

There's one other reason specific to this year - it is TioMila the same weekend. I would imagine that the majority of the squad will be running for their Scandinavian clubs in what is a tough and highly regarded competition, where breaking into the top 50 is a decent achievement in a field of 300+ teams.

[gg]

I can't speak for other 'elites', but I for one am very frustrated at the clash between BOC and Tiomila this year - I have heard all the reasons as to why it happened, and I can understand why it did happen - but it shouldn't!. I have spent most of the last 2 1/2 years living in Sweden trying to become the best in the world. The nature of orienteering in Britain and the club structure here makes it very difficult to train as well as is possible in Scandinavia, where clubs fund the top runners to represent them in club competitions. My club, IFK Lidingo, has supported me financially over the last 3 years, which makes it very hard to turn down a request from them to run in the Tiomila team, even if it does clash with the national champs (which, as has been said, is NOT a test race).

It is also worth saying that Tiomila is a far better orienteering experience than BOC can ever hope to be, which is not belittling BOC in any way at all - it is just Tiomila is on a different planet!

The elites aiming for World Championship success have to plan a season very carefully, looking at precisely how to achieve the best result during one week in August. This may mean making tough decisions earlier in the year to prepare in the absolute best way. Reducing the number of races earlier in the year can reduce the stress on the body, allow more consistent training, and also reduce the stress from travelling and competing. There are so many races in the season, it is quite a difficult job! The selections this year consist of 4 weekends - Trossachs with 2 races in the end of March, then 4 days later 3 races at the JK. Then the British middle and sprint champs, and also the WOC tests (3 races in 3 days) in May - so we are doing plenty of domestic racing just to get in the team! That is 10 races in Britain in 2 1/2 months for the elites - which is more than most road/track racers do in 4 years!

So sorry if we can't make it to every race....

[EddieH]

I just wish to make it clear I said it is "sad" - I impuned no judgement, and it's clear that GG agrees with me.

I guess with all this rancour about national fixtures going on they are not really focusing enough on what is really necessary - the number one Brtish event of the year.

[graeme]

the clash between BOC and Tiomila this year - I have heard all the reasons as to why it happened, and I can understand why it did happen - but it shouldn't!.

Is that why BOC is not a selection race?

I can't understand why there's a clash between BEOC and Tiomila. I assume all the elites will be running the Creag Mhic selection race in May: this will be an excellent race on a great area, attended by, and taken seriously by, all the best athletes. Why isn't that BEOC? (GG says there are reasons, but I really don't know what they are)

[mharky]

If BOC is supposed to be our premier showcase event...

Is it though?

It's our National Championships, but that is different. And considering how it is an exclusive event for BOF members only, it doesn't seem suitable as a show-case if no one else can take part.

I have always been under the impression that the JK is our premier showcase event.

[Scott]

And considering how it is an exclusive event for BOF members only, it doesn't seem suitable as a show-case if no one else can take part.

The assorted British Championships will be open to both BOF members and members of other IOF-affiliated national orienteering federations from next year (although you will need to be a BOF member and hold a British passport in order to win a trophy).

[Monte]

...(although you will need to be a BOF member and hold a British passport in order to win a trophy).

I think the requirement for a British Passport may exclude a number of former winners -particularly of the relays. Is there a reason for abolishing the residence qualification rather than, say, lengthening it?
Who will be doing the Passport checking or will it be on an 'honour' basis?

[Arnold]

While it may be sad, I think in most individual sports the national championships are of relatively low importance to elite athletes. Once you're good enough, it's the international ones that count much more and fair enough. I doubt Andy Murray attends the British Tennis Champs every year (unless they're always Wimbledon?)

Though that doesn't mean you can't try and make the national champs as attractive as possible to elite athletes, in particular by:
- making them worth something (selection race or money)
- making them not clash with something else

Seems both of these didn't happen in this case which is a shame (and a bit surprising given that the other selection races are right before and after BOC). Perhaps someone does know the real reasons?

[mharky]

-making them a quality event, i.e. not a 17km burn up round the chase

[EddieH]

Intersting how perceptions of quality terrain change. Cannock Chase was once considered in this category, and it was the staple terran that produced Steven Palmer, Andy Kitchen and Dave Peel amongst others.

(Who in those days would have considered that Warwick University might be rated higher?)

Anyway for us non elite ordinary punters the Chase provides great running with scope for time losses that should make the event thoroughly enjoyable and produce fair results.

[Gnitworp]

-making them a quality event, i.e. not a 17km burn up round the chase

Couldn't quality (imaginative) course planning transform this into a decent (fit for purpose) orienteering challenge even on the Chase or does familiarity now preclude this? WOC 1974 was held on very similar terrain in Denmark, but with possibly even more paths, tracks and rides.

[lilywhite]

For me the quality of the terrain is the least important - BEOC will always be more enjoyable when it's tied in with BOC, no matter where it is. Ok I'm a bit biased, but I think it absolutely should be on Cannock Chase this year - it's the timing which is a shame. Lots of people, commentary, spectator controls, finishes in the assembly area... flower ceremonies etc etc give it so much more of a feel of being an important event. The worst BEOC I've ever done was at Culbin/Forres back in '04 (I think) because apparently we elites needed good terrain, but it just felt like a training event. Plus, as has been said, we have to run on some pretty pants areas at WOCs and World Cups anyway.

Having said all that, I don't think it applies this year anyway as the Chase isn't a pants area and there will probably be more mistakes (including poor route choice) amongst the elites than there would have been in areas such as say Portugal and Finland, which despite being more technical, very rarely catch anyone any good out.