WOC in the Future

[Scott]

I'm surprised there hasn't been discussion of this already, but anyway... the IOF's "WOC in the Future" workgroup have finally published their recommendations, which have been distributed to all the member federations for comment. The Norwegians have helpfully put the consultation document online; it contains a bit more detail than the IOF website.

The basic proposal seems to be to add two new disciplines: a mixed urban sprint relay (sounds fun, both to compete in and to spectate - and could be an event where GBR does quite well?), and a "chasing-start middle" (as graeme has suggested, something like the JOK Chasing Sprint?).

The basic format of the existing races is untouched, but the Long and Middle qualifiers are scrapped, with places being awarded instead based on a nation's performance either in previous WOCs or in World Ranking events (tbc).

So, what do you think? Personally I'm happy that the current disciplines have survived, particularly that the Long/Classic (/Traditional ) hasn't been messed with, but I'm not sure how fair the allocation of places based on World Rankings would be - would it result in countries outside of Europe losing out?

[graeme]

(a) Delighted that the JOK Chasing sprint is in.
(b) Annoyed that I wasn't more bullish about making the Scottish Relays "mixed urban".

But I still prefer the idea of having a World Champion in orienteering who beat all the best runners, rather than four "champions" who beat half the best runners. I've found that the more the event is diluted, the more my interest is diluted. I've an opinion on who the best orienteers are, but no idea who the world champions are. Even our "elites" dont know...

[Gnitworp]

But I still prefer the idea of having a World Champion in orienteering who beat all the best runners

.... on a 'Classic' orienteering course that tests all orienteering skills for a decent length of time?

[Scott]

A quick update: apparently it seems likely that we'll have five events rather than six in the new programme to keep the number of medals to a sensible number. I would have through that the logical thing in that case would have been to drop one of the two new disciplines, but Åke Jacobson is quoted in the new issue of Ozine as saying "Council is firm in its opinion that there must be renewal, so if events are to be taken out we will opt for dropping one or more of the existing events."

I wonder what is for the axe? I can't see sprint or classic/long going - I would guess that middle is most vulnerable if they are looking to bring a chasing-start middle in. I really hope they don't get rid of the traditional relay.