GB WOC selection races

[Toni]

Apparently it will be announced this afternoon. I would feel really sorry for Oli if he wasn't selected as he has been so dominant all year and was obviously sick over the weekend.

[housewife]

I would be totally gutted for Oli too if he doesn't get picked. Winning the JK shows true talent and form. It is soooo competitive in the mens though - poor guy. He often has the hard luck of getting ill for the selection races. I remember him dying of a cold in the Lithuania races in 2005.

[DIDSCO]

Oli's early season results were pure class and the poor guy was really out of luck being ill at the selection races. But the way the results unfolded I think it's gonna be almost impossible to squeeze him into the team, especially with Scott doing so well in the long and Craney getting 3rd i the middle. I'm sure Oli will fight back what ever happens, and be even better for it.

[graeme]

http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/a ... asp?news=O

Which is what you might have expected from the selection races.

... but in a couple of years time, when we've forgotten who got the last WOC place, and whether they just missed qualifying or finished in the 40s, we'll remember 2007 as the year Oli won everything in sight, the JK, the BEOC middle, and all three BEOC medals on his way to becoming king of the forest...

[Patrick]

Selections are now up...

http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/asp/news.asp?news=O

Well done all. Looks like Dids was pretty close with his guesses. I'm slightly surprised at the women's Middle selections - maybe Pippa didn't want to run everything.

Patrick

[DIDSCO]

It was a bold move of the selecters to let Scott run both middle and long (thats where speakey lost his place in the middle I guess), but I think it was a really good decision. Scotts really confirmed his talent at the selection races, that lad certainly won't be going to WOC to make up the numbers.

Nice to see Helen Palmer get her debut, well deserved, nice one.

Good selections - tough but fair, nice one.

[Duncan]

I'm slightly surprised at the women's Middle selections - maybe Pippa didn't want to run everything.

No she didn't. I think you have to be pretty damn hard to run 7 races at WOC (when you include the qualifiers). Not just physically, but to be able to prepare for the different distances and the different terrains (e.g. middle terrain in UKR is different from relay and long terrain I gather).

[Toni]

It looks like a good team - based on the races this weekend I think Rachel was lucky but she has had a good season. Based on the season Oli was incredibly unlucky - I think it's really harsh that he's not even a reserve.
Best of luck to everyone with the next 46 days of preparation.

[HOCOLITE]

Well done to everyone. Particularly to Helen Palmer who has persisted over the years and now been rewarded with an opportunity.

[harry]

Cheers HOCOLITE, but you make me sound reeaally OLD I'm only 25!

Rach has had some World Class performances this year, in WRE Long in Croatia and at Venla where she anchored the Lidingo 2nd team to 12th place. A sudden PhD deadline hasn't been ideal but she'll definitely be ready for WOC.

[Nottinghamshire outlaw]

Congratulations to all the team - 'special' good wishes for 'Harry' from us all! What about your PhD deadline???!!! (:

[Kitch]

It was a bold move of the selecters to let Scott run both middle and long

if I know Scott he may not wish to do these back to back

[graeme]

Scott ... may not wish to do these back to back

His coach certainly wont...

Interesting dilemma - do you run both qualifiers and then worry about back to back finals if it happens, or pull out of one discipline before the qualifier (i.e. now)?

[Bill]

Now is the time to say if anyone does not want to run all the races they have been selected for. There are reserves ready and waiting for a vacancy?

[mike g]

I'd definitely agree with Spookster that it was the best weekend of orienteering of the year, and I'd just like to thank Jon X and Dave Peel for allowing punters like me to take part.