E. Scot Champs

[Taybank]

Disappointed to see that Sunday's championships is a mixed urban /cross event.
I would have thought it should be 100% terrain running.
It rules me out. I have enough trouble with my tendons already.
Anyway - isn't urban Livingston embargoed for the JK.... I know Dunkeld is, almost up to my back door? Or is Interlopers using insider info unavailable to the rest of us?
I don't want to be mean, but is this within the spirit of the game. It might look like it is giving local Scots a preview of the map style and the area in general.

[Scott]

Anyway - isn't urban Livingston embargoed for the JK....

You can see the extent of the embargoed areas here.

[Spookster]

Anyway - isn't urban Livingston embargoed for the JK.

The JK 2012 embargo is only a small part of Livingstone, and doesn't look like the Dechmont/Deans part being used by INT.

[Taybank]

OK - In that case, take my word for it- the Dunkeld embargoes are a bit odd.
But ......how about the creeping takeover by urban orienteering.
Years ago we orgainsed club street-o evenings - They were never popular.
So good luck to all those who want street-O, but surely it should not expand to the detriment of cross-O - or real orienteering as I prefer to call it.
If enthusiasts want a park-o, street-o or night-o championships they should organise them through the proper channels but surely these same proper channels should maintain the traditional cross-O championships for those who want them.

[andy]

I like the challenge it will bring, having to switch your navigation style and your speed to suit the terrain you are currently in is interesting and challenging. Footwear choice is the only problem!
The East of Scotland champs is such a lowly event it is the perfect place to try new things that we may (or may not!) find creeping in to the bigger races.

[RWK]

Sorry Taybank, but I've got to completely disagree with you. New formats like this are what keeps the sport interesting and I'm actually really looking forward to this event. There are many threads on here about how we are losing numbers in the 20/21 age groups yet these are often the biggest classes at urban style events. If it was a major championship then I'd understand your concern but as Andy says, it is only the ESOA champs and is worth trying out.

[smf]

There are many threads on here about how we are losing numbers in the 20/21 age groups yet these are often the biggest classes at urban style events.

Maybe, but at this event M16's will have to do short green instead of the usual blue course and W16's also short green instead of green. This is likely to put off this age group before they get to M/W21.

[awk]

Maybe, but at this event M16's will have to do short green instead of the usual blue course and W16's also short green instead of green. This is likely to put off this age group before they get to M/W21.

There's a big assumption that longer = quality, even though these courses are all the same technical standard. I'm not saying you're wrong, but you are assuming that all M and W 16s want the longer length. Maybe, just maybe, constantly running the longer lengths is one reason why they give up before reaching M/W21? Or, maybe, they might actually enjoy running a shorter course for a change? I know I do.

[King Penguin]

Footwear choice is the only problem!

Maybe a transition like triathlon ?

[andypat]

Looking forward to this event. Taybank is entitled to an opinion but I think its misplaced. Agree with Andy that its hardly a sacrosanct event and a bit of experimentation is fine by me. At the last EUOC weekend I enjoyed the urban part of the SOSOL more than the bit on Arthurs seat - and that was with the dobs on!

[EddieH]

A few years ago I though FVO missed a trick when we parked in Stirling Uni for a SOL on Airthry Castle and we didn't finish on the sprint map.

Mind you it might have been a bit radical for a SOL.

[andypat]

1.Except where noted below, events shall be run under the
British Orienteering rules for long distance events.

6.Only one map scale shall be used per course. Normally 1:10,000 shall be used for junior and over-45 courses and either 1:10,000 or 1:15:000 for courses 1 & 2. Course planning must not be compromised for printing convenience.

I agree Eddie - There's got to be a balance between tradition and innovation, but sometimes we can be a bit set in our ways.

I think the current SOL rules would prohibit your suggestion (apart from the likely outcry from the nylon suited brigade). I guess they would also rule out having a (sharp intake of breath) urban event as a SOL.....

[AlanB]

I can understand where Taybank is coming from. The traditional form of the sport is cross-country, and I wouldn't want too much tinkering about with existing x-c events such as the SOL and the 6-days. Having said that, there should be room for innovation and I am looking forward to Sunday's event.

I don't think I have ever really understood the significance of the ESOA Champs, or how it is different from one of the SoSOL events.. Although well run, It is a low key affair (none the worse for that) and, unlike other championships, you get to select the category you compete in. What does champion of Green signify? Therefore, it seems the perfect event in which to experiment with combinations of terrain. The organisers seem to be 'selling' it well and no-one can complain or not knowing what to expect.

My only problem, as others have pointed out, is footwear!

As for the 'creep' of urban events, I have not had the same experience. Of the 25 races I have done since April 16th only 2 - Strathaven and last weeks Dean Village (EUOC) - have been urban. Had there have been more locally then I would have done them.

[lindseyk]

Just to clarify AlanB's comment about "champion of Green" there are some very nice age-class trophies to be won and I'll be trying my hardest to keep the one I won in 2010. Make sure you run the correct colour of course for your age class if you want to be in the running.

As for low-key, yes it is - but it's the first rung on the winning ladder for juniors and adults so don't knock it. I still remember standing at Glentress on a cold dark afternoon waiting on the prizegiving and my first ever orienteering "title". I think it was the W21 trophy and was quite a long time after starting orienteering aged 10 !

The venue on Sunday looks good fun and I expect an interesting course, so looking forward to it.

[Gross]

tinkering about with existing x-c events such as the SOL and the 6-days. Having said that, there should be room for innovation

As recently (?) as the 1997 6 days area choice was restricted by a requirement that at least two thirds of the area were forested... ruling out many open moorland terrains. XC - orienteering has evolved & developed over the years and generally been welcomed by the majority.... so there's not much wrong with introducing urban O into the mix if that what's orienteers want. It's obviously not what Taybank want's, I guess other like Kitch don't want it & I personally think urban O is a waste of space.....