Park World Tour- the aftermath

[andy]

Whether you were there or at home, we hope you enjoyed the Park World Tour in Perth this weekend.

It was certainly a major step towards proving we can put on a major event in the modern day of orienteering. The last time WOC was in the UK I didn't really know it was happening having only just started getting into the sport, but I'm sure it was very different to WOC nowadays, accessibility of TV and internet seem to have changed things...

The PWT was a lower budget version of what we would expect to provide at WOC. Apart from some issues with live results / webcam feed on Saturday we think it went pretty well. If anyone else has any comments / suggestions for future races of this calibre please let me know, either by replying or by PM'ing me through the forum. All comments that will help us to put on better events at an international level in the future are welcome

cheers!

[andypat]

Andy
Best event I've been to in a long time. I dont really have anything constructive to add about my experience as I cant fault it. I thought having the prize giving before the rest of us went out to run was inspired - really added to the sense of occasion. Both races were really good quality sprints of different character. The event centre was nicely done too. I think it did show that the team is up to the job - good show by the volunteers too.

I did get a glimpse of one of the junior maps which had a bit of an error - one of the alleyways totally obscured by a red line. If I had one suggestion it would be maybe to delegate planning and even controlling of the junior events separately so they dont get a lower quality of event in the rush to manage the elites well.

All in all a fantastic event - well done

[EddieH]

I was truly astonished by the number of totally dedicated volunteers manning all those road crossings and control watching. Hours of pretty tedious duties - they all deserve some reward.

[ba-ba]

I hope I entertained one of the road marshals by outsprinting a car so I could cross infront of it.

Cracking event, the best urban technical challenge I've had in a long time!

[Electrocuted]

I thought Saturday was fantastic. I really enjoyed the sprint round Scone - really tricky and then round Perth, which was very different. Cheering on the elites before the course was really good too and the arena was well chosen.

Only one slight criticism I would make is that I found it difficult to keep track of who was where in the results - the leader was sitting in the chair, but maybe the big screen could have been used to show the other placings so we could keep track of who was in 2nd, 3rd etc.

Great organisation though - very slick and professional and well done to everyone involved.

[AlanB]

I was truly astonished by the number of totally dedicated volunteers manning all those road crossings and control watching. Hours of pretty tedious duties - they all deserve some reward.

To be honest the time just flew by. It was interesting to see the difference between the elite and the 'mortals' - total concentration from the former, quite often a greeting and a thank you (and a stop to consult the map!) from the latter.

Only one competitor sent the trestle flying (no names ), which is surprising considering how firmly some people 'dib', although quite a few had a slight slip on the greasy, leaf-covered surface.

I was on control number 6 (on the men's final map - code 154), which was the tree in the high-walled courtyard area by the bridge. I had to position myself in the shade at first to avoid being spotted by the competitors, but the sun reached me later in the afternoon. A grey squirrel kept me company throughout the afternoon, which kept me amused. It quickly got used to my company and would descend from the tree to explore from time to time. On occasion it would venture towards the North Inch (the large grassy area that the course just touched on) only to come dashing back, chased by the odd world class orienteer!

Although I didn't see much of the action I had a thoroughly enjoyable time and it was great to have contributed to a great event for Perth and Scottish/British Orienteering.

[ryeland of doom]

Aftermath indeed: the final control at Scone was demolished today
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-t ... l-11422478

[AlanB]

One thing I would like to ask...

Before and during the Saturday afternoon final a young, (mainland) European lady was wandering about with a fairly professional-looking film camera, filming and interviewing officials, marshals and competitors. Later, during the action, she arrived at my control still filming.

Does anyone know who she was working for or whether her finished product was ever published?