Varsity Match

[Nailest]

And there's also the question of whether IQ is a reliable measure of intelligence.

I'd imagine the skills required to do well on an IQ test are similar to the ones needed to visualise a landscape based on a map, so there might be a correlation in that regard. But that ignores the physical component required to be a good orienteer.

And I have to agree with Harry. In my experience, there is definately a different flavour of banter between the EUOC and OUOC minibuses. But it's been a few years since I've been in an OUOC bus. Maybe Becks is right and standards are slipping.

Anyway, back to the important questions. Has DRONGO got enough people for a beer race this year?

[Pippa]

There's a well known climber who admits to being utterly useless at school, but when he tried a series of IQ-type tests they revealed that whilst he really didn't get on with words and numbers, he was amazingly good at spatial recognition - 3d visualization etc., hence his ability to piece together a series of hard moves to get up crazy routes. Maybe such a skill also comes into play in orienteering, and as someone said would not necessarily be correlated with IQ /GCSE's or other traditional tests of intelligence. I've met a lot of very intelligent people in outdoor sports who would classify themselves as stupid on the basis of a poor school record, but they're experts at what they do, which often involves a high level of technical ability.

There is still the question of whether it's stupid to go through all that pain though...

Nailest: I don't think there are enough DRONGO's to form a quiet afternoon tea party let alone a beer team. The trophy is safe, especially as this will be the main focus of the weekend for me now.

Pippa

P.S. Don't get me started on the toff debate...you should try cycling through Durham without crashing into all the egos and fluffy boots and coats in the way [hides under desk...]

[cj]

well according to the website http://www.jarfallaok.se/varsity.php there are only 5 DRONGO folks going so JOK should win hands down, not sure if you can beat us tho, we have a secret weapon.

[bendover]

so who'll be on the receiving end of a good hard dobbing then?

[Mrs H.]

Intelligence is largely over rated in my experience - it's common sense that counts - and unfortunately it isn't as common as people say.

Incidentally OUOC didn't look or sound very yah at the weekend - my 14 year old daughter thought it was a bus load of Pikies

[PorkyFatBoy]

really didn't get on with words and numbers... amazingly good at spatial recognition - 3d visualization etc

Apparently there are a number of elites who are dyslexic, and judging by some of the posts on Nopesport, quite a few others too (either that or they just can't type properly and don't care)

My money's on Oxford. Not that it makes any difference as I didn't graduate from either Uni - I just went to an Oxbridge fodder school (the same one as Dikalot)

[Mrs H.]

good grief Porky? are you a secret midlander?

[HOCOLITE]

Oh Porky I presume you were pre Barrable. On the subject of it being a varsity fodder school . Any one heard of Nick the Pilsbury of late> i believe he did attend the odd event with OUoc

[distracted]

Any one heard of Nick the Pilsbury of late? i believe he did attend the odd event with OUoc

don't get us started he has been fulfilling his role as half of the OUOC social officer team well. As for actually orienteering...

[PorkyFatBoy]

good grief Porky? are you a secret midlander?

Birth certificate clearly states "Birmingham"

I presume you were pre Barrable

Yes, and sometime after JRR Tolkein (before some wag makes snide comments about me being M40). I was in the fifth form when the O club started.

[El]

Much as my allegiance is supposed to be with Cambridge for various reasons I'd have to put money on Oxford for the varsity match.
And in the whole debate over "yahness" I'd like to say that in my experience both the Oxbridge clubs have some of the most down to earth and least elitest orienteers I know.
And there's definitely a correlation between intelligence and a)doing orienteering in the first place and b)doing well at it. Whether it's school exam type intelligence or another kind is another matter.

[ic]

How pleased I was to be tipped off about this hot topic. There's still lots of snow outside,. lots and lots. What i am most worried about though is the important matter of how i'm going to get hold of my posh outfit in time....

[Becks]

Maybe we should all go pikey style to the social to celebrate our slipping standards?

Mr Pilsbury is indeed a regular social attendee but I'm not convinced he's made it into the forest this term. His excuse when asked why he wasn't going to Varsity was "umm...finals...umm...yeah."

Lamo!

[harry]

great idea becks. can't wait to see photos of you all dressed up as chavs in velour tracksuits /kappa popper tracky bums/ burberry baseball caps.

do you want me to send some buckfast down?

[Mrs H.]

Chavs are a lot posher than Pikies - just put on your baseball hats and your hoody hoods on top and get yourself a monkey bike - that'll be about right