WOC Long final

[JK]

Instead of 13 (which he actually went near, unlike Novikov and 2 others) he punched the women's no.1 from what I hear.

Controls were 45m apart: a pit and a stream source. Codes were considerably different

The swiss protested at this potential violation of the 60m rule so the jury went to take a look, the protest was rejected and the results stood. So presumably they didn't think that a trestle beside a pit was like a trestle beside a source.

[Spookster]

Controls were 45m apart: a pit and a stream source. Codes were considerably different

The swiss protested at this potential violation of the 60m rule so the jury went to take a look, the protest was rejected and the results stood. So presumably they didn't think that a trestle beside a pit was like a trestle beside a source.

I spoke to Miriam Rosen who had done some control checking. She said the pit was like a deep bell pit, and the stream source was shallow, not similar.

[andypat]

I spoke to Miriam Rosen who had done some control checking. She said the pit was like a deep bell pit, and the stream source was shallow, not similar.

Surely the point isnt whether the two features looked similar to each other (competitors arent going to visit both). The point is whether one could be mistaken for another ie could the stream source be easily mistaken for a pit of any sort?

Anyhow - I see the results page is offline - presumably thats why?

[Freefall]

What was so special about the venue for the Classic Race? The forest looked distinctly average and from the TV shots there was nothing spectacular about the finish arena. Are all Swiss forests like this or why choose that venue?

[blairtrewin]

There was no formal protest - after lodging a complaint the Swiss team leader went out with the SEA and obviously decided the features were sufficiently distinct not to take it any further. (In any case the similar-features-within-60-metres is a guideline, unlike controls-within-30-metres which is a rule).

[andypat]

What was so special about the venue for the Classic Race? The forest looked distinctly average and from the TV shots there was nothing spectacular about the finish arena. Are all Swiss forests like this or why choose that venue?

Judging by this quote on twitter from a competitor you aren't the only person wondering:

One wonders why they chose this non-special terrain for #woc2012 Switzerland has so much to offer. Not today! Not exciting.

[Pete_Bog]

There was no formal protest - after lodging a complaint the Swiss team leader went out with the SEA and obviously decided the features were sufficiently distinct not to take it any further. (In any case the similar-features-within-60-metres is a guideline, unlike controls-within-30-metres which is a rule).

The BOF rules are the opposite of this (which I had assumed were based on the IOF, as we changed from 50m control proximity to 60m to fall in line)

<<
6.2.3 Controls should not be sited within 30 metres of each other. (15 metres for map scales of 1:5,000 or greater. See Event Guideline D for further guidance for Sprint races.)
6.2.4 Controls within 60 metres of each other shall not be positioned on similar features or on features that appear similar in the terrain. (30 metres for map scales of 1:5,000 or greater. See Event Guideline D for further guidance for Sprint races.) >>

But blairtrewin is right in that IOF has the following, (unless there are specific WOC competition rules to vary this)

<<
19.4 Controls shall not be sited within 30 metres of each other (15 metres for map scales 1:5000 or 1:4000). (see also Appendix 2, #3.5.5).
3.5.5 Proximity of controls
Controls on different courses placed too close to one another can mislead
runners who have navigated correctly to the control site. According to Rule
19.4, controls shall not be sited within 30 metres of each other (15 metres for
map scales 1:5000 or 1:4000). Only when the control features are distinctly
different in the terrain as well as on the map, should controls be placed closer
than 60 metres (30 metres for map scales 1:5000 or 1:4000). >>

In reality it is sensible to avoid any doubt by keeping any controls apart by 60+m and those that really must be closer should use none confusable features. So any depressed feature should (do I mean shall? ) be only used with a completely dissimilar feature such as a vegetation or raised feature

[Dave]

What was so special about the venue for the Classic Race? The forest looked distinctly average and from the TV shots there was nothing spectacular about the finish arena. Are all Swiss forests like this or why choose that venue?

Do you not know the Swiss save all their interesting/exciting terrain for the 6 Days. Everything they use for international is rubbish.

[Marco Polo]

It's the same in the Midlands.

Edgars clearly did his research well in choosing the midlands champs for pre woc training

[Kitch]

What was so special about the venue for the Classic Race? The forest looked distinctly average and from the TV shots there was nothing spectacular about the finish arena. Are all Swiss forests like this or why choose that venue?

Ah you see there is your mistake

Classic Race

not a Classic race, a Long race.
for which the IOF in their infinite wisdom have decreed that route choice shall reign and interesting detailed navigation shall not. And for this Scheite areas are fine. (I think of Ukraine and Demark as areas where I thought - "glad I don't have to bother with that dull pish", there are probably several since but I haven't been paying attention).

The Swiss are great ones for following the rules, particularly since they are big on IOF.
The French however demonstrated their usual disdain for authority and gave the rules the finger to put on a true Classic course last year. Bravo !

I hope Scotland will show similar imagination and use micro route choice in intricate terrain to satify the Long race dictum.
I hope they will plan to the stengths of the top Brits as the French did for Thierry last year.

[graeme]

Sprints in Tranent and Mayfield then?

[greywolf]

I hope Scotland will show similar imagination and use micro route choice in intricate terrain to satify the Long race dictum.

Given the areas currently lined up for Long, it seem unlikely the courses will involve extensive path running

[JK]

Sounds like BOF rules need to tighten up with respect to "shall" and "should". "Shall" and "must" should [sic] be compulsions (or at least without very very good reasons which are widely broadcast) whereas "should" is preferred but not a major problem to ignore with the agreement of the controller / EA.

[JK]

Nice comment from Eva Jurenikova:
"Yesterday the terrain and course-setting reminded me of district races in North Moravia where I grew up. I ran about 3/4 on paths/roads... "

JK