World of O News
A very technical middle distance course in Czech Republic is the “Orienteering Course of the Year 2018″! The course really challenged the competitors – both with tricky orienteering, challenging routechoices and tough climbs and downhills. To top it off, the area is truly spectacular, with big sandstone “rock citys” setting the scene. A very worthy winner!
The winning course was also one of the courses receiving most nominations. – The course contains lots of interesting route choices, even the best runners made several mistakes, was the comment from one of World of O’s readers nominating the course. You find the men’s course with GPS-tracking here and the women’s course here. World of O’s analysis of the race is available here.
Before heading over to the interview with the course setter – a big thanks to all the sponsors of “Course of the Year” – without you this would not have been possible. Dear readers: Please head down to the bottom of the article and consider the fine sponsor prizes. Information about “lucky voter” prizes will be published after the “Orienteering Achievement of the Year” contest is finished.
Sprint and Long/Ultralong course of the year
JWOC Sprint in Hungary is the “Sprint Course of the Year 2018″ (overall 14th place) and the Norwegian Championships ultralong is the “Long/ultralong distance course of the Year 2018″ (overall 3rd place). Another course from JWOC – JWOC Middle – finished in second spot.
See full results below the interview with the course setter of the winning course.
Interview with the course setter of World Cup Final 2018 Middle: Jindřich Kořínek
Q: Congratulations with your course being awarded “Course of the Year 2018″! What are your thoughts about your course getting this type of award?
It is a tremendous success, I can’t feel more happy! Big thanks to everyone who voted for my course. However, I do have to include everybody who participated in the organisation of the event here. Big thanks belong especially to David Ales who entrusted me with creating the course, and Adam Chromy and Daniel Wolf who taught me a lot. It is important to mention that the beautiful, yet demanding (maybe sometimes too demanding for middle) terrain played a significant role in winning the award.
The course setter Jindřich Kořínek in action (private picture).
Q: Did you get any surprises with respect to which routechoices were fastest or were the athletes made mistakes?
I was actually expecting faster times in general, especially in the women’s category. But this could be due to the hard program in the previous days with some athletes running many kilometers on Thursday.
Illustration: Many women lost time already to the first control on a tempting routechoice to the left.
Q: Many athletes seemed to have trouble with taking the correct routechoices – both micro-routechoices and on the longer legs. Did you expect this?
Yes, I was expecting that. This kind of sand-stone terrain is very special a who knows it was definitely in advantage. Specific training is for sure needed especially in regards to the upcoming WC 2021.
Course setter Jindřich Kořínek surrounded by the Top 6 men – who all seem to be happy with the course-setters job (private picture).
Q: What is your favourite part in the course – and why?
Definitely between control points 14 and 18 in men (10-14 in women). Its a wonderful ragged valley which is not really steep. I wanted all athletes to enjoy this part
Q: Can you take us quickly through the main challenges in the course, highlighting the legs where you see special challenges?
OK, let us go through the course. The description is actually very similar both for the men and women’s course; here we describe the women’s course. First there is a very short control point to the 1st control right after the start, and then already to the 2nd control a route choice where it was necessary to take your time when making the choice, and not be afraid to climb back up to the path. Then we have transit leg and a TV leg (control 5), with the TV control point not being easy at all.
[Editors comment: Routechoice illustrations are made by World of O to accompany comments from the course setter]
Next is technical control with a routechoice, and then a transit leg to control 8.
The next six legs from control 8 to control 14 are 6 legs where it was essential to make the right choice on each leg, while staying focused with the position on the map.
Then follows the long routechoice leg to control 15, and a wonderfully technical leg to control 16.
[Editors comment: The men’s leg is actually a lot more interesting, and is included in today’s “Route to Christmas”. So head over there to submit your solution and read the analysis]
Then there is a routechoice to the final, 17th, control which is not too obvious … A right choice here was actually also essential.
Q: Did you have any special worries about the courses before the race?
Well, during the test runs, I was shortening and shortening the courses. So in the end I was actually worried that the athletes would complete the course in a too short time! Below you see an earlier version of the course from March 2018 with four extra control points and a map exchange.
Q: When did you start planning the courses – and how many hours do you think you spent on it?
The first version was done in spring 2017. I decided it is better rather not to count the time I have spent on it, but it was hundreds of hours in total for sure, including the sleepless nights before the race due to nervousness…
Illustration: Earlier version of the course from september 2017.
Q: Have you got an earlier version of the course with a leg which you really hated to let go?
Not really. The fundamental part in the valley stayed as I had intended from the beginning, even though I had to shorten the courses repeatedly and also make several compromises. A middle with 50 minutes would be the best, in my opinion. The only thing I regret is that I could not take the athletes further to show them more of this gorgeous terrain, as the start and finish being on the same place imposed certain limits to the course creation.
Q: Have you got any other comments to World of O’s readers?
Last but not least, I would like to thank my fiancée for the patience and support during the time I was drawing the course. And Merry Christmas to all!
Jindřich Kořínek had good help preparing the World Cup Final Middle courses (private picture).
Q: Thanks a lot for the interview, Jindřich. And again congratulations to a great course and a fantastic job!
Results: Course of the Year 2018
We have again two technical courses on top in “Course of the Year″, the World Cup Final Middle in Czech Republic on top and JWOC middle distance in Hungary in a very special green/yellow maze terrain in Hungary in second spot. The Norwegian Championships ultralong distance in Norway is in third spot (Long/Ultralong distance course of the year) – this is the second year in a row that we have the Norwegian Championships Ultralong in Top 4. In the 6 top places we have courses from 6 different countries – Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, France. This again shows how important it is to travel in order to really enjoy orienteering!
The “Sprint Course of the Year 2018″ is JWOC Sprint (Hungary) in 14th place overall – a great sprint course with many challenges, with sprint courses from Italy following in the next three places.
See also:
- All the nominated maps here (or as a slideshow)
- Intro article: Submit your suggestions to “Course of the Year 2018″
- Interview Isia Basset
- Interview Ruslan Glebov
- Interview Marika Teini
- Interview Milos Nykodym
- Interview Kamilla Olaussen
- Interview Tim Robertson
- Article: Last chance to add suggestion
Prizes from our Sponsors
Prizes from our Sponsors always makes it more fun! There will be a prize for the first one suggesting the course which ends up becoming “The course of the Year 2018″, and prizes drawn among the ones suggesting and voting. All prizes are transferable to other persons (you don’t have to travel yourself).
Event sponsor: WMOC 2019 Public Race. July 4th – 12th (Latvia)
- Prize offered: Competition + accommodation package for 2 persons including: 5 races (two sprints in Riga, 3 forest races), accommodation 8 nights with breakfast in twin/double room, 4-12 July 2019 . Total prize value: EUR 820.
- Watch the world’s best master runners in action and find out how good you are in the same terrains! Be equally prepared for a maze of narrow streets in Riga and a fast run in a perfect dune forest. Watch out – it may be 8 nights! And, certainly, enjoy the sun and beach immediately after your run! Read more: www.wmoc.2019.lv
Event sponsor: 52nd Kainuu Orienteering Week (KOW), June 30th – July 5th 2019 (Finland)
- Prize offered: 4 packages, each consisting of 2 free participations for the whole week in any class (competition classes or open courses) at Kainuu Orienteering Week 2019. Total value up to 800 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- Open and International Orienteering Week in Finland, Sotkamo, Tipasoja (WOC2013 terrain)
- More information: Kainuu Orienteering Week is the Finlands’s biggest orienteering week and the world´s second oldest orienteering week, as it has been held annually since the year 1966. Kainuu O-Week is held in the Kainuu region of Finland and traditionally the event is held in the beginning of July the week 27. In 2019 Kainuu Orienteering Week will go back to perfect pine forrest and moor terrains of the WOC2013 events. Come to enjoy the orienteering and holiday week for the whole family in the great sceneries and terrains and pure and beautiful nature of Kainuu region in Finland. First entry period will be closed on 30th of november 2018. For more information see www.rastiviikko.fi.
Event sponsor: Murcia O-Festival. February 16th – 24th
- Prize offered: Competition and Training Package – including entry to Lorca-O-Meeting and Costa Calida WRE (6 events in total), 9 nights accommodation in Apartamentos Aixa, and a 8-map package to train on diverse terrains between the 2 events. Value about 680 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- 9 days of fun trainings and high level competitions in surprising Murcia! More info at https://sun-o.com/en/camp/murcia-o-festival/
Event sponsor: MOC 2019 – March 15th – 17th 2019 (Malta)
- Prize offered: Competition and hotel package for two persons: Entry for two person at the 15th anniversary of MOC Mediterranean Orienteering Championship in Malta, including 3 nights accommodation half board. Value about 650 EUR. Transferrable to other persons.
- You are welcome to MOC 2019! The 15th anniversary Mediterranean Open Championship Orienteering 2019 is organized on March 15th – March 17th. Great events with World class runners with 3.000 euro of prize money! Follow the sub! Read more at the competition web-page and on www.orienteering.it and www.facebook.com/pwtorienteering
Event sponsor: Durmitor Orienteering Challenge 2019. August 27th – 31st 2019 (Montenegro)
- Prize offered: 2 packages – each for 2 people– consisting of: Entry to complete 5 Day Durmitor Orienteering Challenge, + 2 x 2 special T shirts „My life, my sport-Orienteering“ product of Oland. Total value about 620 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- At the end of summer 2019, after WOC in Norway, you can visit the exceptionally nice and beautiful 5 Days of orienteering in the Montenegro mountain pearl Durmitor. For most orienteers this is a new area, offering much more than orienteering. Also excellent conditions for club trainings with new maps and terrains at 1500 meters altitude. More infomation: Dochallenge.me
Event sponsor: 5th Antalya Orienteering Festival 2018 – October 27th– November 3rd
- Prize offered: One Big Antalya O-Meeting package consisting of 1 complete Antalya Orienteering Festival package: Accommodation + Entry for all 6 races for one person. Value about 540 Euro. Transferable to other person.
- Antalya Orienteering Festival will be held for the 3rd time in Side by the Mediterranean coast of Antalya, Turkey. We provide 6 different terrains and challenging courses, good maps and good weather for orienteering holiday. See more at www.antalyaofest.com
Event sponsor: Sprint Scotland, June 20th-23rd 2019 (Scotland)
- Prizes offered – 2 complete packages for 2 people each – All training / races + event t-shirt. Total value around 400 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
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Sprint Scotland will again host 4 days of high quality sprint orienteering in the Stirling/Edinburgh area. 2 training days with warm-up sprint races, followed by a weekend with 3 sprint/urban races (WREs), as well as three talks about sprint orienteering. Short travel from Edinburgh and Glasgow. More information here: http://
sprintscotland.co.uk
Software sponsor: OCAD Orienteering 3-year license
- Prize offered: One 3-year licence for the software “OCAD Orienteering″. Value about 350 EUR. Transferable to other person (before activation).
- More information: OCAD 2018 Orienteering – Perfect to Produce Orienteering Maps. This edition is dedicated for orienteering map making with a step-by-step wizard for analyzing of LiDAR data, mobile geodata capturing, smart editing and drawing tools, generalization tools, desktop publishing, course setting and much more. Read more at ocad.com.
Event sponsor: OOCup 2019 – July 24th – 28th (Slovenia)
- Prize offered: 2 packages – each for 2 people – consisting of: Entry for the complete 5 days OOCup competition plus OOCup 2019 T-shirt for each competitor. Total value around 325 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- In 2019 OOcup goes back to where it all started back in 2002. Stunning orienteering areas around Soriška planina will deliver memorable orienteering challenge for everyone. Even though Soriška planina is well known among orienteers, we’ve mapped a lot of new exciting areas, so there will be plenty of unseen for all participants. Gorenjska region with Lakes Bohinj and Bled and Triglav national part is considered as the most beautiful part of Slovenia by many. More at oocup.com.
Event sponsor: 22. International Thuringian 24-Hour relay. May 31st – June 2nd 2019 (Germany)
- Prize offered: Two packages, each package consists of one 6-person team for the 24-Hour-Orienteering Relay (min age 15) and one 4-person team for the youth relay. Included in the 24-Hour Relay is also opening party, parking, camping and open-air swimming pool. Total value about 300 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- Description. Be part of the world’s longest orienteering relay starting on Saturday June 1st 2019 at 9:00 AM and finishing on Sunday 2nd of June 2019 at 9:00 AM. The competition takes place in a typical German low mountain range in the middle of beautiful nature. More information here: https://www.24h-ol.de/en/
Event sponsor: VARIANT 5 DAYS – August 13th – 17th 2019 (Bulgaria)
- Prize offered: Package for two persons consisting of entry fee and accommodation for Variant 5 Days 2019 – 5 days of orienteering in Stara planina mountains, Kalofer, Bulgaria. Value about 270 EUR. Transferrable to other person.
- Enjoy an unforgettable orienteering holiday in the beautiful nature of Bulgaria.Five races in mountain terrain including a chasing start. Variant 5 Days is an affordable way to experience and explore the Stara Planina mountain region near Kalofer, just below the highest peak of the mountain – Botev, 2376m asl. Besides the great terrains there are many sightseeing options around including mineral pools, which makes it a perfect place to visit during the summer of 2019. Plan a trip to Bulgaria now and you will have a splendid vacation in August. Find out more at http://5days.variant5.org or email us at teamcontact@variant5.org. Visit also our facebook page at: com/variant5cup.
Event sponsor: Kapa 2019 – June 28th – 30th (Latvia)
- Prize offered: Two family entry packages to Kapa 3days, where each package includes entry for two adults and one child, space for a tent at the event camping and a car parking voucher. Total value around 250 EUR. Transferable to other person.
- More information: Kapa 3-days is the largest orienteering event in Baltics with 2000 participants from around 20 countries. It is a nice, long o-weekend for families – from Friday to Sunday. The best new maps and terrains are available, kindergarten at the event centre, fantastic prizes and great atmosphere, including live music in the evening. Just come with your family and relive WOC 2018 as the course planners are the same! This year’s event page: 2019.kapa.lv. Facebook page: facebook.com/Kapa3days, Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.
com/events/912631195590739/
Event sponsor: Orienteering Adventure 2019. August 7th – 11th (Czech Republic)
- Prize offered: Entry fee for two persons with accommodation in hotel Lenka in the event centre during the competitions (6th -11th of August). Value: 250 EUR, transferable to other persons. Note that the package is available only until the first entry deadline (April 30th 2019).
- Orienteering Adventure take place in the biggest mountains in Czech – The Giant Mountains. It is a national park nicknamed as “Tundra in the heart of Europe”. You can expect clean mountain forest with poor path network, stone fields, a few rocks, one stage in poor visibility area, sprint in a mountain village, beer relay and even more. Read more here: http://www.o-adventure.cz (In English from early December)
Event sponsor: Easter4 2019 – April 19th – 22th (Slovenia)
- Prize offered: One package for 2 people – consisting of: Entry for the Easter4 competition in the beautiful Izola & Kras regions, Slovenia + accommodation in pension (B&B). Value about 250 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- After the 2018 edition on Cres island, in 2019 we go back to Slovenia. The race will be organized by the same team and quality standard as you might be used to from Lipica open, OOcup and Bubo cup. Excellent mixture of tough karst terrain and one Sprint stage, partly on newly mapped areas. Did you know that Swiss star Simona Aebersold took part in all 3 editions so far? More at easter4.com.
