WOC 2007 KYIV

[Kitch]

eight Finns, Norwegians and Swedes in the top 10, joined only by new World Champion Niggli and ex World Champion Allston. Is women's orienteering really that boring and predictable in what should be the discipline most open to other countries?

It looks like status quo but I'm not sure its that simple
I would say that Simone has raised the bar massively in terms of the fitness required to win in the women's class.
The Scandis are the ones whose noses were put out of joint most and the Scandis are the ones who have reacted most consistently - they are now much better athletes across the board than they were 10 years ago.
Look at recent years
Simone dominates
Scandis fight back
Simone dominates
Scandis (+Oz) Fight back

Where does this leave the other nations ? Running to stand still, running even harder to close the gap.

Our women have done a remarkable job in recent years - getting closer to the top whilst that top has been getting ever higher.

What then do we make of the men's situation -
perhaps that fitness has reached as far as it can go and gradually more nations are reaching that standard.

[DIDSCO]

I agree with Kitch about Simone raising the bar in womens orienteering, however it's important to mention that Simone whilst certainly a great runner, is also an extremely good map reader with an excellent technique.

I still believe that alot of British runners have along way to go to get their technique up to the level of those guys and girls who consistently race at the top - like Thierry, Merz, jani, Simone, etc.
Whilst not forgetting the physical side much more attention needs to be spent on having a faultless technique where even 5 seconds mistakes are not acceptable.

If I was Dave Peel I'd get athletes - to be far more self-critical, to analyse their training and races in far more detail, to have very clear objectives for every technical training session, to have a goal of 100% perfection, to love the feeling of a perfect race or training.