This post is at least partly motivated by the thought that OnTheRedLine could do with an article on sprint cf forest, but I think it could be a worthy topic of interest to Nopesporters.
You will have noticed there was a big difference between GBR high places sprint compared to forest in the recent World Cup round in Switzerland. That there is a difference is not really a surprise, but maybe the extent of the difference is.
At the World Cup GB had no top-20s in the forest (well done Jonny 22nd and Megan 24th) yet five on each of the sprint days. Are we as a nation quite good at sprinting (it seems similar at World Masters), and if so anyone hazard reasons?
Sprint Nation
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Re: Sprint Nation
Reasons easy :
Training on roads is available to all in UK.
Sprint training can easily be done form home (for most people, living in cities).
Getting very fast is a good way to improve in sprint-O = easy to do in a nation with good running tradition.
All orienteers can train with better (faster) runners easily - local running clubs etc.
Forest orienteering is hard to train if you live in a UK city
Forest orienteering is harder to get rally, really good at - much more experience of maps, terrains, etc needed.
Forest orienteering takes longer (travel to/from maps etc)
Training on roads is available to all in UK.
Sprint training can easily be done form home (for most people, living in cities).
Getting very fast is a good way to improve in sprint-O = easy to do in a nation with good running tradition.
All orienteers can train with better (faster) runners easily - local running clubs etc.
Forest orienteering is hard to train if you live in a UK city
Forest orienteering is harder to get rally, really good at - much more experience of maps, terrains, etc needed.
Forest orienteering takes longer (travel to/from maps etc)
- Big Jon
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Re: Sprint Nation
Also, UK urban and sprint events (in my experience) tend to be on more complex areas than most continental events. I suspect this helps us hone quick and accurate decision-making, which gives an advantage and makes it easier to push really hard when on easier continental areas.
curro ergo sum
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King Penguin - addict
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Re: Sprint Nation
Our juniors seem pretty good at forest orienteering. JWOC top 10s in the last 10 years include 4 Long, 6 Middle and 8 Sprint not forgetting the forest relay gold.
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buzz - addict
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Re: Sprint Nation
The BOF Talent and Performance Programmes have been focussing on Sprint and Relay in order to maximise the chances of achieving their results targets. The ongoing review is suggesting that any programmes should consider benefits to the sport as a whole and athletes involved as well as targeting world class performances. In that context focusing on Sprint would seem to be inappropriate, we aren't, after all, the 'British Sprint Orienteering Federation'.
Of course individual athletes might choose to focus on Sprint although judging by the world rankings there are very few sprint or forest specialists, and this is reflected by our recent junior successes where the majority of the sprint top 10s also achieved forest top 10s. One exception was a sprint medal won by a self proclaimed forest specialist!
With the Sprint WOC2022 on the horizon it would be tempting to increase our focus on Sprint in an attempt to win medals. That would of course be the icing on the cake but I think any additional benefits to the sport in terms of post race publicity would be marginal and a the overall presentation will be more important.
I'd be interested to hear what people think, personally I'm a big fan of Sprint Orienteering both as competitor and as a coach and I'm particularly excited by the new Knockout format, but I don't think focus on Sprint within the Performance Pathway is the right approach from a results or a wider benefits perspective.
Of course individual athletes might choose to focus on Sprint although judging by the world rankings there are very few sprint or forest specialists, and this is reflected by our recent junior successes where the majority of the sprint top 10s also achieved forest top 10s. One exception was a sprint medal won by a self proclaimed forest specialist!
With the Sprint WOC2022 on the horizon it would be tempting to increase our focus on Sprint in an attempt to win medals. That would of course be the icing on the cake but I think any additional benefits to the sport in terms of post race publicity would be marginal and a the overall presentation will be more important.
I'd be interested to hear what people think, personally I'm a big fan of Sprint Orienteering both as competitor and as a coach and I'm particularly excited by the new Knockout format, but I don't think focus on Sprint within the Performance Pathway is the right approach from a results or a wider benefits perspective.
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buzz - addict
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Re: Sprint Nation
Slightly disappointed nobody has suggested that Rocky (favourite terrain: tarmac) 's presence as coach in Switzerland made a big difference.
- afterthought
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Re: Sprint Nation
As regards specialisation and the Big 4, my impression is Sweden and Switzerland athletes are both sprint and forest, but some specialisation is coming in Norway and Finland.
- afterthought
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Re: Sprint Nation
My advice is to enjoy it while we can. Once the Kenyan’s and Ethiopians discover Urban O, we’re finished.
- Pimpernel
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Re: Sprint Nation
Thanks for thoughts.
Decided just to show some pictures, with this comment on Twitter.
7 World Cup races so far in 2019.
Top British positions in first 5: 24/33/20/19/22.
Then sprint races, and for both #6 and #7, 5xGBR in top 20. 6 top 10's.
Video of World Cup Round 3: https://youtu.be/vDFq5uMr81
Decided just to show some pictures, with this comment on Twitter.
7 World Cup races so far in 2019.
Top British positions in first 5: 24/33/20/19/22.
Then sprint races, and for both #6 and #7, 5xGBR in top 20. 6 top 10's.
Video of World Cup Round 3: https://youtu.be/vDFq5uMr81
- afterthought
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Re: Sprint Nation
afterthought wrote:Video of World Cup Round 3: https://youtu.be/vDFq5uMr81
The link didn't work for me - try this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDFq5uMr81s&feature=youtu.be
This is brilliant as well - Ralph and Kris in the KO semis (two qualify for the final), also Katherine Bett's commentary (switch the sound on!)...
https://twitter.com/Ralph_Street/status/1178625909764612097
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buzz - addict
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Re: Sprint Nation
Yes, Sprint O worries me in as much as it does seem like the easiest option in which to podium. Currently. You do have to be very fast, mind and so it's pleasing to see that the training ethic for athletics and x-c is being followed by our athletes.
But there will come a time when more nations will be competitive at these disciplines and what then ? (IOF suggest an alternative, TV-ready format?).
To be the best in the forest does require a bigger investment in terrain running, map sessions and experiences and so won't be for everyone - so it make sense that we focus our efforts into development hubs where we can bring athletes through.
Yorkshire, Lakes and Scotland seem best-placed to offer this.
First and foremost.....If you're fit and fast you can possibly be good at all the disciplines - see KJ, RS, CT, MCD, SF....
But we all-too-often are seeing fitter athletes still wasting opportunities because of navigational errors. Balance is necessary.
But there will come a time when more nations will be competitive at these disciplines and what then ? (IOF suggest an alternative, TV-ready format?).
To be the best in the forest does require a bigger investment in terrain running, map sessions and experiences and so won't be for everyone - so it make sense that we focus our efforts into development hubs where we can bring athletes through.
Yorkshire, Lakes and Scotland seem best-placed to offer this.
First and foremost.....If you're fit and fast you can possibly be good at all the disciplines - see KJ, RS, CT, MCD, SF....
But we all-too-often are seeing fitter athletes still wasting opportunities because of navigational errors. Balance is necessary.
From small acorns great Oak trees grow.
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Lard - diehard
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Re: Sprint Nation
Not sure why it is a worry.
In athletics, it isn't surprising that people specialise in 5K / 10K / marathon at different stages of their career. And you don't see many people moving from longer to shorter distances, but plenty going the other way as they age and lose some speed.
With WOC being split in future, it will be interesting to see if any nations send a substantially, or completely, different team in alternate years. It could of course present some challenges in managing a unified squad, if there is a concentration / priority on just the immediate forthcoming WOC.
In athletics, it isn't surprising that people specialise in 5K / 10K / marathon at different stages of their career. And you don't see many people moving from longer to shorter distances, but plenty going the other way as they age and lose some speed.
With WOC being split in future, it will be interesting to see if any nations send a substantially, or completely, different team in alternate years. It could of course present some challenges in managing a unified squad, if there is a concentration / priority on just the immediate forthcoming WOC.
- Snail
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Re: Sprint Nation
Lard wrote: Sprint O worries me in as much as it does seem like the easiest option in which to podium.
On the contrary - many more athletes are competitive at sprint-O, so it's harder to podium. If sprint attracts and help retain a wider range of top quality athletes (and punters) than that's a good thing isn't it? - when i first tried orienteering 35+ years ago it seemed like a fun sport, until I realised that "proper orienteering" as then defined was 100+ minutes in rough and often grotty terrain - fine for those who liked that sort of thing but a very effective way of discouraging those who were faster over shorter distances.
(On the other hand, institutionally focussing on one discipline is a bit short sighted as the reasons for our apparent success at a particular discipline are usually mostly to do with the aptitudes of the individual athletes - not so long ago (EOC 2014, WOC 2015) our best individual results were in the forest...)
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