World of O News
Today’s edition of “January Classics” is from the relay formerly known as “Krokskogstafetten” which now has changed name to Night Hawk. The year is 1979 – and the course we bring is the 8th leg. We have got some nice, long legs here!
- Map and course in omaps.worldofo.com
- NightHawk 2014 – the relay keeps some of the characteristics of “the good old days”.
The relay was a bit different from relays today in that it was an A-to-B relay (at least partly) – although the leg shown above is a leg which returns to the same place.
– Smart Swedes and Finns
To get some insight into the history of Krokskogstafetten, we talked to Anders Tiltnes – the “Night Hawk general”.
– After the second world war, orienteering was equaly popular in Norway, Sweden and Finland. During the 60ies and 70ies several relays emerged. At the time Jukola, 10Mila and Krokskogen were of similar in size. All 3 relays grew steadily, but in the 80ies something happened, Tiltnes explains.
– While the smart Swedes and Finns changed their concept to adapt to the modern times, the Norwegians did not understand what was happening. While the Swedes and Finns changed their relays to have the complete arena in a small area, Krokskogstafetten continued to have the start- and finish line on opposite sides of the forest. As the history unfolds, Krokskogstafetten declined in popularity, and 10Mila and Jukola became gigantic events – driving the orienteering sport in the respective country forward.
A book about the history of orienteering relays
– Some may argue that relays includes both the most prestigious and the most social aspects of orienteering, Tiltnes continues.
– This binds people to the sport, creating lifelong ambassadors for orienteering. Some even feel that relays is to orienteering what Tour det France is to cycling. Somebody should write a book about the history of orienteering relays, and I am sure these January Classics can provide valuable insight to the orienteering history.
Tiltnes always has big ideas – does anybody want to take on the book project idea of Tiltnes?
Newspaper article
Below you see a newspaper article from the race (in Norwegian – click to see larger).
A short quote from the article: “The ladies category started from Vestmarkssetra with a loop course, and already after the first leg there were big time differences. There was no forking on this leg, and the field was split in two – half of the field got an extra loop of 20 minutes…”
