- There are not many such technical terrains in the world, Thierry Gueorgiou said after finishing his first World Ranking Event this year. After a, for him, slow start in the sprint yesterday, he was at his best today – beating his team mate in the French National Team, Francois Gonon, with 1 and a half minute. Third was Norwegian National Team runner Øystein Kvaal Østerbø. In the womens class, Norwegian National Team runner Marianne Riddervold took the victory, less than a minute before Swedish Lina Sundqvist and Mhairi Mackenzie of Great Britain.

Map with course

Below you see the first part of the Men Elite course

Results

Men Elite
1. Gueorgiou Thierry FRA 65.25
2. Gonon Francois FRA 66.59
3. Kvaal Osterbo Oyste NOR 67.29
4. Kahrs Christian NOR 74.11
5. Karner Olle EST 74.29
6. Vaher Sander EST 75.06

Women Elite
1. Riddervold Marianne NOR 59.25
2. Sundqvist Lina SWE 60.17
3. Mackenzie Mhairi GBR 61.21
4. Pietila Maria FIN 62.47
5. Egseth Elise NOR 63.32
6. Larsson Linda SWE 63.41

Pictures

Some pictures from todays race are shown below. From the top: (1) Top three in men and women elite. (2) Relaxing at the beach before the race. (3) Francois Gonon. (4) Thierry Gueorgiou. (5) Øystein Kvaal Østerbø. (6) Winners in afternoon city sprint race.

Thierry Gueorgiou had some trouble with a small injury in todays race – which marked the opening of this years MOC Championships – and did not manage to take home the victory. Instead his team mate, Froncois Gonon took the victory in Men Elite – 16 seconds in front of Øystein Kvaal Østerbø. Michela Guizzardi took the victory in the womens class. The MOC Championships started with a city sprint in Citta di Oria in Italy, and will continue with a long distance tomorrow. in the Men and Women elite categories, respectively. Below you see the map with course from the Mens category, which had two loops.

This is my first race of the season, and I am of course very happy to win it…

There was some tricky orienteering around the city castle – which Francois Gonon handled best. - This is my first race of the season, and I am of course very happy to win it, Francois Gonon said after the race. - Øystein did not see the direct route choice to the 3rd control on the second loop, and run all the way around to the left. He was probably faster than me, Gonon continues. Italian Marco Seppi snatched the second place between Gonon and Kvaal Østerbø.

The home victory of Michela Guizzardi in the Women category – in front of strong Norwegian runners – was very popular among the spectators. Second and third in the women’s category where Norwegian National Team runners Marianne Runnervold and Elise Egseth. Only the first loop of the womens loop counted in the overall results.

Results (unofficial)

1. Michela Guizzardi ITA 11.36
2. Marianne Riddervold NOR 11.47
3. Elise Egseth NOR 11.48

1. Francois Gonon FRA 18.27
2. Marco Seppi ITA 18.43
3. Øystein Kvaal Østerbø NOR 18.48

• Full results
• MOC Champs

Pictures

Source: MOC Championships

How do you orienteer and plan your routechoices in the terrain used for OO.cup in Slovenia? OO.cup 2008 – staged from July 23rd until July 27th 2008 in the western part of Slovenia – is one of the events featured in the article series “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ at World of O – giving you event presentations with a special twist! Read more about the “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ feature articles here – including information about how to submit your event. The content in this article is written mostly by the organizers, and World of O is not responsible for any inaccuracies – and the spelling errors.

The terrain – and how to master it!

There will be 3 terrain types in OO.cup/08, but here we will describe the one which is probably the most interesting. The map extract below is from a typical karst terrain. The only way to master this type of terrain is to be really careful with your orienteering, and to work hard on simplification.

Typical routechoice challenges

The first stage (also WRE) will be middle distance and this is the kind of leg which you can expect:

• PURPLE: This is a rather safe route, 580m long. The idea is to follow the small paths – simplifying the navigation and taking advantage of the faster speed you can develop comparing to the terrain running. Small paths can be tricky, though, and very easy to miss!
• GREEN: Probably the fastest route, 480m long. Not just that it’s fastest, it also gives you the most pleasure, as you have to navigate through intricate forms and try to simplify them. One should always try to avoid stony areas on this map, as when it’s drawn stony it’s really stony. Try to navigate on positive forms like hills and ridges, since, unlike depressions, you can spot those from farther distance.
• BLUE: Or the chicken route :). 680m long. This is fast running and a bit less thinking. Often it will be possible to approach controls by paths. But we will do our best that it will not be worth it!

Why choose OO.cup 2008?

… you can be sure we make no compromises regarding terrain and maps

As always since 2002, we will try to deliver a race in top terrain and on high quality maps. Races of OO.cup/08 will be staged around Ajdovščina, which is situated in the west of the country. Runners will have a chance to experience orienteering in karst forests at different speeds and with different navigational challenges. OO.cup is known as an event organized in a somewhat spartan manner but in friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Coming to OO.cup, you are not to expect luxorious Finish area, but you can be sure we make no compromises regarding terrain and maps.

• OO.cup 2008 in World of O Calendar

OO.cup: A lot more than only orienteering!

Hiking and cycling possibilities are rather good in the area. Just above Vipava valley there is a big plateau with highest point Nanos (cca. 1300m). This is a great place for hiking (pictures 1 & 5 below). Very close to Ajdovščina (direction Kras) there are also many small roads with sparse traffic, which are great for cycling. In the area there is also a so called Wine road, by which it is possible to travel and visit farms with home made wine (pictures 2, 3).

Then in the circle of 30-50 km from Ajdovščina you can reach the following: Triglav national park and Soča River (both just 30km from stages 1, 2), Postojna cave (just 10 km from stages 4 & 5, pictures 6, 8), Škocjan caves (UNESCO), Lipica (famous for Lipizzaner horses, picture 7), Adriatic coast (Slovenian or Italian …) and many other points of interest (even Venice is no more than 165km by highway).

How do you orienteer and plan your routechoices in the terrain used for Aveyron 2008 in Southern France? France 6 Days of 2008 – staged from August 2nd until August 9th 2008 in the Larzac region of France – is one of the events featured in the article series “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ at World of O – giving you event presentations with a special twist! Read more about the “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ feature articles here – including information about how to submit your event. The content in this article is written mostly by the organizers, and World of O is not responsible for any inaccuracies – and the spelling errors.

The terrain – and how to master it!

The terrain can best be described as a Labyrinthique zone with reduced visibility! There are lots of rocks, relief and many vegetation elements, as you can see at this map extract to the right. To manage a good race, you very well have to manage your speed and raise your eyes as much as possible to observe the most characteristic objects!

Typical routechoice challenges

Take a look at this 400 meter long leg. The map is full of information – there is so much information that you really have to be careful with which part of the map information you use for your orienteering – reading all is close to impossible in high speed! To take the good route, you must know if you are ready to fight with elements, physically and mentally!

There are three main alternatives for this leg:

• Routes of the North : 560-655 m (25 m elevation). Fast running and post control attack safe, but long!
• Routes of the South : 560-675 m (35 m elevation). Fast running with a part convenient to the anticipation and post control attack safe, but again long!
• Direct routes : 470-480 m (30 m elevation). The shortest route, but you have to read the map carefully – especially in the final part !!!

Thus, the direct route is the winning choice and of the most risky at the same time!

Why choose Aveyron 2008?

I already know that I will have to face a lot of challenges there… [Thierry Gueorgiou]

The region of Larzac (in the South of France) is a paradise for your holidays of orienteering! This region is one of the most touristic regions of France. The terrains and the maps are exceptional!
- I definitively think that there are only very few terrains in the whole World who can match the difficulties of these ones. I already know that I will have to face a lot of challenges there and that it will be THE hit of 2008! I wouldn’t miss this competition for anything in the world, Thierry Gueorgiou says about the terrains.The organization waits for you for an unforgettable feast of orienteering! You are welcome in the Aveyron.

• Aveyron 2008 in World of O Calendar

France 6 Days: A lot more than only orienteering!

A multitude of sites is to be visited ; historic sites (templars towns), natural sites (Montpellier le Vieux, Cirque de Navacelle, les Gorges du Tarn, Aven Armand and Dargilan, etc.), the Viaduc de Millau and the Mediterranean near from there.

This region, it is also the french epicentre of the activities of open air ; mountain bike, canoe, paragliding, caving …

• Aveyron 2008 in World of O Calendar

The grounds of the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and a small area of forest belonging to the Kenyan Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) was the venue for the 2008 Kenyan Sprint Orienteering Championships (see map).
This terrain, roughly 20km west of the capital Nairobi, was chosen for the race at short notice when the original terrain, Uhuru Park in central Nairobi, was closed due to the political unrest in Kenya. A trouble-free event was ensured though thanks to the support of the authorities at KARI and KEFRI who gave permission to use the area and provided other infrastructure, security etc.

… it was especially pleasing to see the great interest for the children’s race where competitors came from both the Bushtrekkers o-club and from schools nearby

The new map (IOF Sprint standard) at a scale of 1:5000 provided an ideal sprint area with both forest and built-up areas. The terrain was mapped in less than a week by Samwel Ndegwa Wanyeki and Esther Wangui Mwihia (Bushtrekkers Kenya) and Ursula Kadan and Thomas Krejci (TV Fürstenfeld Austria). Thomas Krejci also planned the courses. The weather on the day was perfect (lightly overcast and windy with a temperature of 25°C) for the 62 competitors, including guests from Sweden. After brief instructions, the race began at 10.15 when the first runner Micah Samoei (Bushtrekkers Kenya) started off. - Besides the highly concentrated and motivated runners in the main categories, it was especially pleasing to see the great interest for the children’s race where competitors came from both the Bushtrekkers o-club and from schools nearby, according to organizer Thomas Krejci.

While as expected the winner of the women’s elite class was Isabel Moraa, a Kenyan who lives in Sweden, the surprising winner of the men’s elite class was Stephen Kiarie (Bushtrekkers). In spite of difficult training conditions due the lack of maps of forested terrain, Stephen won in the excellent time of 18:01 min on the 2.5km sprint distance. Particularly surprising and pleasing was his clear lead of around 1:30 min to the experienced Swede, Lars Anderson, in second place. The basis for the good performances here and in the future for Bushtrekkers’ runners has been the weekly club training organised since September by Ursula Kadan. The new “KEFRI / KARI” map (800 kB) though means that a significant improvement in the training opportunities is guaranteed. With the well-known athletic capacity of the Kenyan runners (the majority can run 10km under 30 minutes; Bushtrekkers’ club record times are under 28 minutes for 10km and under 65 minutes for the half-marathon), a future breakthrough for runners from Kenya in the international orienteering world is perhaps not so far away.

• Results

Source: Press release, Thomas Krejci, Kikuyu-Nairobi-Kenya

How do you orienteer and plan your routechoices in the terrain used for Nordvestgaloppen 2008 in Western Norway? Nordvestgaloppen 2008 – staged from July 30th until August 3rd 2008 in Voss in Western Norway – is one of the events featured in the article series “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ at World of O – giving you event presentations with a special twist! Read more about the “Top Multiday O-events 2008″ feature articles here – including information about how to submit your event. The content in this article is written mostly by the organizers, and World of O is not responsible for any inaccuracies – and the spelling errors.

Note! Only two contributions so far – please use this possibility to get som PR for your event!

The terrain – and how to master it!

The terrain around Voss is dominated by marshlands (easily run) and grassy slopes, with a moderate degree of steepness. To get an impression about the terrain, you can take a look at the below map extract from the map of day 3 and 4. Beside the map extract, you see a picture of the terrain taken from the top of one of the mountains surrounding the map. A suggested route for this short leg is drawn in red:

As you see from the map extract, some areas are quite detalied, and reading all details in full speed is not easy as runnability is good in most of the terrain. A runner not familiar with this terrain, would probably try to avoid the marshes. In the area around Voss, you do exactly the opposite. The marshes have usually very good runnability, and in addition they are your best aid in the navigation as they are easily distinguishable (see picture to the right above where two of the marshes are marked with blue rings). Thus, you can use the marshes to make the leg easy as you see with the route drawn in red. In addition, reading contours accurately – and identifying the biggest of the small hills – is very important in this type of terrain. For example, the small hill with three cliffs to the left of the control will be a valuable aid in your navigation, as you will see if from quite a long distance.

Routechoice challenges

Again we use a leg from the new map to be used for day 3 and 4 – but an area of the map which will not be applied for the race. For this long leg, there are several alternative route choice alternatives, and it is not readily seen which is the best.

• For the leftmost (blue) you have to take some height (55 meters) in the first part of the leg – and the steep hill side at the start of the leg is probably not very good to run in (but these steep hillsides are not really bad to run in either), and from then on you have easy and fast running for the rest of the leg and a total of 60 meters climb.
• The rightmost (red) is fast and easy all the way down to the water, but then you will have to take a massive climb up to the control (65 meters). Note also that the small tracks are usually not very fast to run on compared to the marshes. Actually you will run faster down a marsh than down a small track.
• The direct route (green) is the shortest one, but it has significantly more climb than the other alternatives (90 meters climb).
• The yellow alternatives won’t help you much either regarding climb (there is actually some more climb than the green route), but you get more road and track. If you are a good road runner and poor in running uphill in the terrain, you should probably rather take the yellow than the green alternative.
• The pink route choice will take you very fast down to the road as runnability in the marshy hillside is very good and it is only downhill. It also saves you some climbing compared to the green alternative (75 meters of climbing).

In conclusion, the pink alternative will probably be the fastest if you can take the final climb. However, the blue alternative is also an interesting option.

Why choose Nordvestgaloppen 2008?

Nordvestgaloppen will give you a lot more than just the orienteering races – this is perfect holiday for the whole family!

This summer you have the possibility to combine fantastic orienteering with a spectacular nature experience. Nordvestgaloppen 2008 will take place in Voss – close to the Western Coast of Norway – about one hour by train or by car from Bergen, the Fjord capital of Norway. Voss is surrounded by high snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and fast flowing white water rivers.

- Nordvestgaloppen will give you a lot more than just the orienteering races – this is perfect holiday for the whole family, says leader of the organizing committee Håkon Mogstad. - You will travel back home with memories of fantastic nature, interesting orienteering with overwhelming views and a big bite of the Norwegian Fjords.

It is also easy to combine Nordvestgaloppen with O-ringen. Take the bus from Salen, Sweden to Oslo, Norway, and thereafter the famous train trip from Oslo to Voss.

Orienteering + Holiday in Voss = The perfect combination!

Note! First registration deadline is March 1st – save money and register now!

• Nordvestgaloppen 2008 in World of O Calendar

Nordvestgaloppen: A lot more than just orienteering!

Voss is surrounded by high snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and fast flowing white water rivers. It is a paradise for outdoor activities – and can offer something for all tastes: Rafting, paragliding, horse riding in the mountains, sports angling, mountain hikes, bicycle tours, kayak trips, parasailing, sightseeing by sea plane, golf – and much more.

One of the highlights in the Voss is a mountain hike to one of the mountain ridges where you can look 1000 meters directly down to the narrow Nærøyfjorden (a hike which you often can make without meeting anybody at all). Or to sit in the very same Nærøyfjorden in your Kayak looking up at the very same mountain ridge. Highly recommended – you have to experience it to know what it is like! You can take a look at the hiking possibilities at the Nordvestgaloppen homepage to see hike details and pictures for a hike going to one of the mountain ridges along Nærøyfjorden.

What are the best multiday orienteering events of 2008? It is not always easy to find all the interesting orienteering events out there – and to choose between them when you singled out your main favorites. World of O Calendar, and lately the World of O Wall Calendar, has made it easier for you – but still there is room for something more. In a series of short feature articles the coming month, World of O is planning to put focus on some of the top multiday o-events of 2008 by allowing event organizers to present their events at World of O (for free). World of O will act as an editor, and make sure the content is well balanced.

Event presentations with a special twist

When I am deciding about going to a multiday o-event, what I am looking for is usually:

Will there be interesting technical orienteering…?

• What kind of orienteering will I meet? Will there be interesting technical orienteering and/or challenging route choice problems.
• What kind of terrain is there? Preferably I want something else than what I am used to from my home terrain.
• Are there good recreational possibilities? A multiday o-event is holiday – and there should be other interesting things to do in the area – like for example nice nature, good hiking possibilities, magnificent mountains, swimming, or …

You can see which events I choose in 2006 based on these criteria here.

A map sample with a typical long route choice leg from a map in the area

The answers to these questions is also what I want to have highlighted in the event presentations. This will give event presentations with a special twist – and require a bit more work for event organizers who want their event highlighted at World of O. From all event organizers who want their event presented, I need the following:

• Event name and dates
• Link to event in World of O Calendar
• A short introduction about the event – why should somebody choose YOUR event! Max 150 words.
• A map sample with a short leg from one of the most technical/difficult areas in one of the competition maps / a typical map in the area. Accompanying the map sample, there must be a discussion (max 200 words) about how to manage the technical orienteering in this type of terrain, vegetation, undergrowth and other specialties about the terrain. Map sample will be scaled to width 590 pixels.
• A map sample with a typical long route choice leg from a map in the area – possibly from one of the event maps. Accompanying the map sample, there must be a discussion (max 200 words) of the route choice alternatives and how to think when doing route choices in this type of terrain. Map sample will be scaled to width 590 pixels.
• Two pictures from the terrain and two pictures from the nature/surroundings/recreational activities, including a presentation of recreational activities in the area (max 150 words).

The content should be sent in plain text in an e-mail to jan@kocbach.net with the pictures as attachment (no word/pdf files!). Max size of the e-mail should be 10 MB.

To be included in the event presentations, the following must be fulfilled:

• The event must be at least a 3 day event – between March 2008 and December 2008.
• The event must be included in World of O Calendar with geographic position, map sample and picture.
• The event should have at least 500 participants.
• The event must be an International event open to anyone – that is not an elite-only event, a national championships or similar.

All events who fulfill the above and send an e-mail with all requested details, will get their event presented at World of O. Please do as written in the instructions: No PDF/Word files! I hope to hear from many events – like for example French 6 days, O-Ringen, Nordvestgaloppen, WOC spectator races, EOC spectator races, Sørlandsgaloppen, OO.cup, and all the ones I forgot now ….

The first Kenyan Sprint Orienteering Championships has been relocated to an alternative competition terrain due to the political unrest in the country – but now everything is ready for the race. It is now only three days away! The Bushtrekkers-Kenya orienteering club is organizing the first Kenyan Sprint Orienteering Championships and is looking forward to welcoming as many competitors as possible.

… an ideal area has been found at Kikyu – 20 km west of Nairobi – in the grounds of the Kenya Forest Research Institute

The intended terrain of Uhuru Park in the centre of Nairobi is still closed and after an intensive search for an alternative venue, an ideal area has been found at Kikyu – 20 km west of Nairobi – in the grounds of the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI).

The map of the area is having to be made in the very short time available and the race preparations are hectic, but everything is going according to plan. In addition to the numerous competitors from the organising club, Bushtrekkers-Kenya, lots of youngsters are also expected to take part from the schools in Nairobi that have been contacted. We would of course love to welcome competitors from Europe too!

The A4 map will be at a scale of 1:5 000 and the area has been mapped in accordance with the Sprint ISSOM Norm. Competitors can choose between four different categories and a special course for children: M Elite, W Elite, M up to 18, and W up to 18.

About the first Kenya Sprint-O-Champs

Orienteering without borders is the motto of the Thermenland Open orienteering event which was initiated three years ago as a cross-border cooperation project between three orienteering clubs in Slovenia, Hungary and Austria. An additional element to this project was the participation of athletes from Kenya at this year’s Thermenland Open event organised in Lenti in Hungary.

• More info about the race in woO Calendar

How to get to the competition:

• From Nairobi follow the Nakuru Highway to Zambezi, then turn left, through Nderi and follow the road approximately 3 km to Kari (past the entrance gate and turn right at roundabout). If travelling by Matutu, take the no. 131 (Nairobi bus station – Kari).
• Entries will be accepted at the race. Entry fee for M/W Elite (19+) is 200 Ksh. Entries for competitors in the younger classes and for children is free. Entry fee for non-African runners is € 10. Please contact +254 – (0) 710 – 717019 if you need more information or have any questions.

Source: Press Release / Thomas Krejci