Discussion: 2005 US Classic Champs

My early appraisal is that this year's US Champs was one of the best ever--terrific terrain, great map, great courses. It was exceptionally good. Congratulations to ORCA and everyone else involved in putting together the event! If you weren't there, well, then you missed out big time. If ORCA offers future "A" events at the US Champs venue, by all means go. You won't be sorry.


It raises the standard for future US Champs hosts--and guess who will be under the gun next year! (For those who haven't heard yet, the LROC/RMOC bid was approved and so the 2006 Night and Classic Champs will be part of the 1000 Day next year, with the Night at Laramie and the Classic at Buena Vista, CO.)

Thank you for the glowing praise!

I just got the day 1 courses on Routegadget, so you guys can have a look at what you missed. The software is limited on the number of pixels it can handle, so it is a bit grainy. I'll get the day 2 out when I get the latest database from Andy (my usb stick died on me). Everyone who came out to Oregon to our fun terrain is invited to draw their routes.

Routegadget for Day 1

I'll second Swampfox's compliments. It was a terrific weekend.

I'll also mention that the mid-week events -- sprint and middle distance on Wednesday, and relay on Thursday -- produced by Sergey, Ellis, and Andy, were also really fine.

WRE points are posted.

Oregon is the Vermont of the West.

I'll third Swampfox's compliments. Really enjoyable orienteering. Nice mix of terrain, good running, some nice technical challenges too.

Congrats to Sergei and Pavlina!

I had a good run going on day 1, but got kicked in the pants by the last 3 controls in the lava terrain. Haven't been that screwed up in a long time. Day 2 was a very good run for me - and lots of fun. To be 5 minutes back reassures a person that training really does matter (i.e., I'd better get back on the horse).

I'll fourth the glowing praise. The map was awesome, and the terrain was a lot of fun. In many ways, the week was a kind of orienteering breakthrough for me, and I'm sure much of it has to do with the mental clarity I could have with such a well organized event. Thanks to all the organizers!

Sweet terrain, great courses. A memory to savour.

For the benefit of those who unfortunately missed the event, could you please describe some of the things that you found so special about the meet?

In a word: Balter

That goes with out saying, but he is portable. It must take more than that?

Ahh yes, you have reminded me. It was the 6 porta-johns.
SIX! Count, em - 6! Yow.

That must have been why, after the 2.7km walk to the start, everyone was still smiling...

What I liked was the variety of terrain and of challenges all in one package. For example, on Saturday, the RedY course (map) started with a couple of controls in mixed area of lava outcrops and open areas, then a steep hillside, then a variable hillside where the best route wasn't obvious, then a little loop higher up with a mix of vegetation and landforms, then a series of moderately sized knolls and outcrps, then (to #11) the same but more subtle, then last bit in the lava forest where they gave you a blown-up map (1:7500 for Red) and you really had to match your speed and tactics to the terrain (and your abillity).

And all the features and the placement of the controls were fair. Oh, and then there was just the stunning beauty of the terrain.

And Sunday was just as cool.

Clem, besides me being grim at the finish of Day 1 (see my training log), and happy at the finish of Day 2, Zhuk finishing closely after me with time, I knew at the moment would be tough to beat, and good runners finishing in small groups yet short of beating Sergei's time, it was great place, excellent map (and you know how critical I am on that part), good competition and fair courses. Interesting enough was that I predicted my and Zhuk's time for day two on Saturday after running day 1 courses. And of course my admiration goes to Mr. Swampfox, with yet another win at US Champs day, A-meet day and WRE.

The training with Sarah is paying off.

Thanks for posting those maps, PG. I hadn't realized nobody else except the M21s visited the really cool areas at the top of the map (northwest of no 8 on your Sunday map, and continuing about as far as Sisters (or so it felt like when you weren't looking at the view...).

We tried very hard to get the red courses up to the very top also, but we couldn't do it without stringing out the courses or making them even longer.

Next time I'll either make everyone drive up the crappy road to get super deep into the map or we'll have a Dutchman Highlander and visit all the areas (especially the very detailed far northwestern corner).

Or if I can get the permissions, we'll let you guys run on the good map. Swampfox already has a snippet.

I agree with PG. The variety of terrain and challanges, combined with the beauty of the place, makes this the most exciting map I have ever been on. The area around Bend has huge potential to be a real orienteering mecca! I also enjoyed the sprint, middle and relay tremendously. Thank you for a fantastic event.

Here are my photos from the sprint and the relay.

The good map?? Did you let out the Waldo map, Jeff? This is our secret ORCA training area, and about the most beautiful forest you can imagine. The chance of orienteering permission is virtually nil, but if Jeff can sweet talk the Forest Service ... :)

Actually, there were 7 portapotties. 1/50 people is the guideline we used.

Wha? You mean I miscounted the portapotties?? Rats, a parallel error.

I have never enjoyed getting lost as much as last week-end.

I've posted my maps from the mid-week events in Oregon.

If the maps/terrain are as good as everyone is saying AND you have a secret 'better map', then perhaps PG's suggestion of a WOC or similar world class event in the future on the secret map or other similar areas should be considered?

Wish I was able to come out there...

I like Clint's idea a lot. I'll help :)

then perhaps PG's suggestion of a WOC or similar world class event in the future on the secret map or other similar areas should be considered?

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha [[rolling around on the ground holding my sides]] ha, ha, ha. [[wiping tears from my eyes]] This is the funniest joke I have heard in a long time! You guys are a riot!

Don't worry. You can have a month or two to tell yourself that you'll never do it again. But, an effort like this deserves an encore, or indeed something more triumphant. Think about it - once you've established the enduring standard for the US Champs, there are only a select few goals more worthy.

Like the Sprint Finals? :-)

Well, that is one. But, for it to be better than the innaugual one I think we'll need some big time sponsors, real TV, and no micr-O.

Actually, I'll do it again, but you guys have to buy me a map. Oh yes, you also have to fly in Valerie and Andy (he has to leave the US in December).

Yes, I'd do it all over again too. I don't see the months of running up there every weekend as any great hardship!

Me too!! And it would only cost you two bottles of wine this time. ;)

Jeff, what is your current email? I tried sending you an email to the address listed in your Attackpoint profile, but it bounced.

Never mind, I just noticed your latest USOF Clubnet email with your email address.

Well, I might add that the terrain was so wonderful that I decided to add 1.5km to my run on Saturday. A simple gesture for the organisers to show them how much I was appreciating it ;-)
Having said that, I vote for Jeff, Paula and Andy (and the rest of their crew) to organise our COC's from now on - if the US won't give them a permanent job, we will!
Well done you guys, I loved it. And I also really loved the relay and the sprints too, was awesome that some women kicked some butts...

I felt the same way, Marie-Kat! I decided to visit #10 before #3, #6 before #5, and #16 before #15. Not to mention some other interesting side trips in the last K.

A terrific job of course setting in some fantastic terrain.

On the women's side, I thought it was the COCs.

I gotta say we had a secret plan for a Canadian sweep... but only, they forgot that I can sometimes be quite creative with my running...therefore ruining the plan.
Oooohhhh, I should slice my wrists open now. I am so sorry...I am a failure... boohooo...

I knew it! I love a good conspiracy. Those Canucks...