Discussion: WOC 2008

Bad news!

I emailed about the online schedule and details. This is the answer I received:

Hi,
As I was informed by the WOC technical director, that due to technical problems there will be not any internet broadcast as video or audio stream.

The recordings of TV live transmission on Czech TV (sprint final, middle final and relay) will be available on internet page of Czech TV for review (not as live broadcast) on channel ČT4 shortly after the end of the event:

http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/vysilani/

Best regards,
Marek

Marek Petrivalsky
WOC 2008 Secretary

Jul 8, 2008 3:33 AM #

z-man:

bummer....

Jul 8, 2008 11:29 AM #

On the WOC website it at least lists online results/splits and online text comments from Clive Allen. Too bad no internet live audio or video; seems Jukola and TioMila are well ahead of them on those fronts, anyway.

http://www.woc2008.cz/en/homepage/news/woc-races-b...

Jul 9, 2008 3:04 AM #

Wyatt:

US Team Blog

US Team Members Info

Any other AP countries have team links? Canada, Australia, GB, NZ ?

Jul 9, 2008 10:22 AM #

Now the WOC website seems to indicate there may be online audio from the arenas available as well....

Jul 9, 2008 10:56 AM #

Shep:

Aussie teams AP Trog here.

Jul 9, 2008 12:35 PM #

JanetT:

US Team members' info is also on the USOF site.

If you see anything that needs updating, please let me know!

Jul 9, 2008 1:41 PM #

The website also now indicates online video streaming. w00t!

Jul 9, 2008 4:27 PM #

RichardLund:

South African Blog here

Jul 12, 2008 3:15 AM #

I just edited the first post in this thread with the scheduled times of the major events converted to NYC, LA, and Sydney times. I'm assuming the online streaming will start 30 or 60 minutes before the scheduled first start.

Jul 13, 2008 8:04 AM #

It just seems to be live chat and online resutls at the moment. No sound or video feeds for the heats :-(
I did read this in the chat though:
"Jorn Sundby is now getting into good voice with the sound commentary along with a Czech speaker. This afternoon at the finals you should be able to hear this live."

There may also be Czech TV broadcast for the final at this site from 16:40 local time.
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/vysilani/13.07.2008/20...
It is a bit hard to tell though, as the site is all in Czech!

Jul 13, 2008 8:25 AM #

Good start for Australia. 3/3 women in the A final based on preliminary results. Jasmine Neve 15th, Kathryn Ewels 12th, Grace Elson 12th.

Jul 13, 2008 8:31 AM #

Bruce, I can't get results at the moment so can you also update for the men

Jul 13, 2008 8:35 AM #

Now have the final results but can't get Online results

Jul 13, 2008 8:38 AM #

......:

Men are just starting.

Jul 13, 2008 8:53 AM #

Robin, Simon finished heat A in 11:37, 40 seconds behind the current leader. It is going to be a tense wait for him.

Jul 13, 2008 8:55 AM #

Thanks, we just wait

Jul 13, 2008 9:04 AM #

rm:

Does anyone know what happened in Samantha's sprint qualifier run?

Jul 13, 2008 9:10 AM #

Pink Socks:

Looks like she had a mispunch at #12. Too bad, because she was 11th fastest to #11.

Jul 13, 2008 9:11 AM #

Samantha Saeger is listed as a MP if this is who you ae interested in
see http://www.woc2008.cz/en/results-sprint-qualificat...

Jul 13, 2008 9:14 AM #

Simon and 2 others are equal 11th (just 45 seconds down) with about 10 runners to finish. I don't know if they will go to tenths of a second - if it gets that close.

Jul 13, 2008 9:14 AM #

Patrick Goeres through to the final. Great run MrPither - we knew you could do it.

Jul 13, 2008 9:19 AM #

What about Jules and Kerrin

Jul 13, 2008 9:22 AM #

Kerrin has missed the final. 27th so far 1.47down.
Jules had a good start but is 16th at the 2nd radio control.
Simon is currently hanging on to 15th.

Jul 13, 2008 9:23 AM #

Julian qualifies 15th.
Simon is =14-16th but may have to wait for the official results to be sure.
Text commentary says "Heat A, 3 runners in 14th place so 16 in final from this heat."

Jul 13, 2008 9:25 AM #

rm:

Way to go Patrick! Sixth! Beating or tied with Oystein Kvaal Osterbo (I can't quite understand the split results, which seem to give two different finish times for Osterbo...maybe just my browser). I wish him well in the Final.

Jul 13, 2008 9:29 AM #

Jim, Osterbo appears to have different control codes on his splits too?

Jul 13, 2008 9:32 AM #

rm:

It seems persistent after a few refreshes and updates...Oystein Kvaal Osterbo's finishing split is shown as 11:35 (and his splits leading up to this are consistent with this), but his finish time is shown as 11:19. I wonder which is correct.

Jul 13, 2008 9:33 AM #

strange splits for Eric Bone too. Racing similar times to Brent then nothing for the end.

Jul 13, 2008 9:33 AM #

Osterbo's control codes are the ones for heat C I believe.

Jul 13, 2008 9:34 AM #

rm:

Ah, thanks Hammer, I hadn't noticed that. Maybe belongs in another heat really (though the finish time is still odd).

Jul 13, 2008 9:36 AM #

rm:

Ah, that would make him tied for seventh with Thierry Gueorgiou, at 11:35.

Jul 13, 2008 9:38 AM #

rm:

Any stories from the runners yet?

Jul 13, 2008 10:35 AM #

Joe:

The runners are now returning from the event. Some having lunch at the moment.
Eric and Sandra both missed a control on a straight route. Same control on similar legs I believe. Sam MP'd. The course was very fast.

Jul 13, 2008 11:41 AM #

pi:

Here are some photos and a master map for the men. It was rather easy orienteering and super fast. Patrick said he went all out and left nothing in the tank. He had no mistakes, but maybe a bit zigzag on the long leg. Final in a few hours!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magjoh/sets/721576061...

Jul 13, 2008 11:54 AM #

Sudden:

if you are in sweden, i think you can watch the sprint final live on tv4 sport.

Jul 13, 2008 2:16 PM #

feet:

What a boring map and course.

Jul 13, 2008 4:07 PM #

Patrick - 8th. Awesome!!! (Ted who?)

Jul 13, 2008 4:09 PM #

Daniele:

Live-stream is here (in czech language):
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/vysilani/10183677624-b...
works better with Internet Explorer.

Jul 13, 2008 5:10 PM #

Sprint orienteering is definately a spectator friendly sport. wow!

Jul 13, 2008 7:48 PM #

feet:

The final maps look much more interesting.

Jul 13, 2008 8:33 PM #

ndobbs:

what, feet, admitting a sprint could be interesting? Pity most of us can't run as fantastically as Patrick G and didn't get past the "easy" one...

Jul 13, 2008 8:42 PM #

pi:

I added a few photos from the final to my flickr set. It was a great atmosphere at the old town square in Olomouc. It was crazy to see Emil run right by the second TV control when he would have taken the lead at that point. It was a really good course in the final!

Jul 13, 2008 11:07 PM #

A batch of photos from the Sprint today is being uploaded to my galleries at:

http://orienteering.smugmug.com

Really cool atmosphere for the final, and lots of excitement (including thunder, lightning, and a brief downpour...). Nice way to kick off the WOC.

Lots more photos to come - just takes time to upload over this connection.

Jul 13, 2008 11:13 PM #

Pics from today's Sprint Quali and Final, plus the opening ceremony - though mostly from the final. We had a ringside seat for the final so the shooting was good. 15 pages worth - 300 pics. Clem and Christina have some great shots...should be up soon.

Jul 14, 2008 2:46 AM #

What did the runners do at the start of the final? Was the triangle after a corridor or did they have to stand there and look at the map? Could you see their faces blanch white? (I had a prior commitment all day---I missed *everything*.) Awesome photos---The ones I've seen so far.

Jul 14, 2008 3:31 AM #

EricW:

The TV camera found eddie and his camera twice in the short time I was watching.

It was also dramatic to witness a runner (Wingstedt?) skipping a control. He blew right by. Hard to imagine what he was thinking, especially after seeing the printed course.

On paper, this looked like a candidate for the best WOC Sprint ever.

Jul 14, 2008 5:10 AM #

GOUGER:

Great run by Patrick....very proud of the young Manitoban. He can go through in the long as well if he orienteers well.

Best sprint result by a Canadian ever? best result period?

What are people thoughts of the Middle quali and final bein gon the same day.....bonkers I think.

Jul 14, 2008 6:13 AM #

bubo:

Best sprint result by a Canadian ever? best result period?

Best sprint: YES! Although this result was in the qualifier. For finals best are as follows -

Best result for women: Sandy Hott Johansen, 9th Middle (2005, Japan)
Best result for men: Ted deSt.Croix, 10th Long (1985, Australia)

Jul 14, 2008 10:45 AM #

slow-twitch:

Apologies to Mike or Wil if the answer to this question is "more recently than I'd think", but when did a Canadian man last make a final - or similar performance? Always good to see some more non-Euros in the final!

Jul 14, 2008 11:52 AM #

>best sprint result by a Canadian ever?

..in the finals I believe it is:
Nick Duca, 40th (2004 Sweden)
Sandy Hott, 30th (2004 Sweden)

Jul 14, 2008 12:19 PM #

>but when did a Canadian man last make a final

When there has been a qualification race I believe the Canadian men to qualify for an 'A' final at WOC are:

Sprint:
Nick Duca (2004, SWE)
Brian May (2004, SWE) - but running for USA ;-)
Patrick Goeres (2008, CZ)

Middle/short:
Ted de St. Croix (1991, CZE)
Martin Pardoe (1995, GER)
Mike Smith (1999, GBR)
Brian May (2003, SWI) - but running for USA ;-)

Long/classic:
Ross Burnett (1989, SWE)
Mike Waddington (1997, NOR)
Nick Duca (2003, SWI)

..and there will be a few more names to add to this list in a few days!

Jul 14, 2008 2:26 PM #

Ross Burnett -- Classic (Sweden 1989)

Jul 14, 2008 3:37 PM #

oops sorry Rossco. I've edited that above now. I've likely missed others as well.

Jul 14, 2008 5:24 PM #

GOUGER:

I think Mike S qualified for the Sprint final in 03 in Swiss?

Jul 14, 2008 5:53 PM #

......:

What are people thoughts of the Middle quali and final bein gon the same day.....bonkers I think.

I think its crazy that even the sprint quali and final are on the same day. I don't see how its possible to recover from a 15 minute all out effort in a matter of hours. How much time separation between semifinals and finals is there in an international track meet for say the 5k? For the few races I've seen, its been two days. The same with the middle - if they're on the same day, its effectively a much longer race.

Jul 14, 2008 9:11 PM #

Cristina:

Well, everyone gets the same amount of recovery time, and it's not like absolute times make a difference - unlike in track racing where people are going for records or established baselines. I really don't think a morning (short) sprint is going to make a huge difference on an evening sprint. The middle qual, OTOH, probably does take away some zip... Hopefully we'll have some home team opinions on this later this week!

Jul 14, 2008 9:24 PM #

Cristina:

Here are some pictures of Patrick from the final:

Start platform
Start chute
Go control

I've got lots (hundreds) more pictures of other people, but it's going to take me a while to sort through and post them all... and we've still got most of the events left!

Jul 15, 2008 9:32 AM #

Louise and Sandy through to the final for Canada in the long! Awesome!

Good run for Mike - but in a very tough heat.

Jul 15, 2008 10:34 AM #

BorisGr:

What happened to Patrick? He is listed as DSQ?

Jul 15, 2008 10:35 AM #

slow-twitch:

Yeah, great stuff Louise & Sandy. Shame there's no kiwi girls to race against this year, you'll have to beat the aussies on NZ's behalf ;-)

Jul 15, 2008 11:39 AM #

charm:

Patrick isn't feeling well today.

Jul 15, 2008 8:37 PM #

A nice day for Canada at the Long Distance Qualifications. Both Sandy Hott and Louise Oram managed to get through the qualifiers, ensuring that we'll have some cheering to do on Saturday!

Nice run by Mike Smith, only missing out by a couple of minutes despite errors at the beginning and end of the course. Patrick was a bit under the weather; he started bravely, but was unable to finish the race.

The courses themselves were quite simple, with no really complex route choices. There were some tricky controls in a green section at the very end of the race. The pressure seems to have gotten the best of some of the Czech favorites running at home, however. Otherwise, no really big surprises.

Both Holger and I were busy with our cameras, and as a result we have about 300 pics from the long qualifiers. I think in the end we covered about 90% of the runners - apologies to those very few we missed.

See more at:

http://orienteering.smugmug.com

Next up: Middle Distance (model tomorrow, qualifiers and finals on Thursday)

Jul 15, 2008 8:49 PM #

These are real nice, Wil. Very nice. Where were you located? And did you get your 85mm from the twins? I did some testing with it.

Jul 15, 2008 9:13 PM #

Thanks! Yours from the sprint are great - I'm looking forward to seeing your images from today.

I have a media ID so got to get into the forest - these were from the penultimate control. Vicious, harsh lighting there as the runners emerged from the forest shadows (ISO 800 gave shutter speed ranging all the way from 1/150 to 1/8000); even the pros didn't really know what to do. We just pointed and clicked and hoped for the best....

Did the 85mm work out? I found it takes some (or lots of) practice to use a prime lens and "zoom with your feet"...

By the way - those pics are pretty much sorted as to finishing time (real time), plus some extras thrown in at the end of the gallery. Apologies for the excessive Canada and USA content - trying to build a collection for future use....

Jul 15, 2008 10:10 PM #

backwoods:

congrats to the canadians...best of luck in the finals ladies!

Jul 15, 2008 10:18 PM #

Yes, it looked difficult! The ones you hit right on are great though. The contrast is cool.

Here are all my shots from the Long Qualifier today. We were on the chute, about 1/3 of the way up from the GO control. Still need to rotate a few of these.

I think I need to make a sorted set for the north american crowd too, so folks don't have to look through the whole set to find familiar faces. I'm taking waaay too many pics :) The 85mm definitely looks sharp. I took some comparison shots using the 85 fixed and my zoom set to 85. The fixed is about 4-5 stops faster (much wider glass, and fewer elements). But it does takes practice with the composition. I felt limited with the max 105mm on my zoom today standing so far from the runners. A 200mm would have hit the spot. I only got the magnification I wanted when the runners were directly in front of me, so the angles weren't always great. Had the advantage of direct, bright sunlight though.

See you at the middle model tomorrow. Gotta keep hammering at that stuff till it clicks.

Jul 16, 2008 12:51 PM #

As suggested by Eddie, I have added galleries for both Team USA and Team Canada; I will try to keep them updated during the week. There may not be (m)any pics tomorrow, as I actually have to put on some O-gear and find some controls myself....

These are all high-resolution photos and should be able to be printed at 8x10 or larger.

You are very welcome to download them freely for personal use. Just credit the website, please. Not many teams have photographers here, and we hope these images can be of some use to them on websites and so on. We just need to spread the word so that even more people can come find photos of their own favorite runners.

Jul 17, 2008 3:29 AM #

coach:

The Czech tv video of the SPrint final is great, USA team members are in several crowd shots, at about 0:33, 2:04 and 2:30:30

Jul 17, 2008 1:06 PM #

cool middle final course for the men

live tracking has started

http://www.tractrac.com/?page=woc2008

Jul 17, 2008 1:29 PM #

Spike:

Cool. It would be more interesting if there was a bit more route choice, but it is still great. It looks to me like the sort of course where we'll get some pack forming - it won't take much more than a little bobble around 3 or 4. I'd better get back to work.

Jul 17, 2008 1:42 PM #

seems strange to see the course before the competitors. Seems like the GPS loses some coverage in the rocky section on the west side of the map.

The course looks awesome. Would be a lot of fun to race that course. So many different terrain types.

Jul 17, 2008 3:25 PM #

Live tracking is cool, but here's a dumb question -- what's to prevent the women from seeing the map before they start?

Jul 17, 2008 3:37 PM #

I assume they're quarantined or the courses are different. I scanned the bulletin, and didn't see any mention of quarantine.

Jul 17, 2008 5:46 PM #

looks like Sandy will be 25th or 26th. awesome

Jul 17, 2008 6:55 PM #

markg:

Great results for the Aussie girls too: Grace Elson and Jo Allison were 16th and 17th respectively and Vanessa Round came in at 33.

Jul 17, 2008 8:08 PM #

"Live tracking is cool, but here's a dumb question -- what's to prevent the women from seeing the map before they start?"

All athletes in the finals were quarantined starting at 1445.

Some of Sandy's goals included being the first finisher, and leading the race until Brozkova finished. She managed to achieve both of these. A couple of 1-2 minute mistakes prevented her from having a really good placing, but based on how easy and continental the course was (except for the special rock section), she seemed satisfied with her placing.

Jul 17, 2008 8:57 PM #

Thanks Wil. Please pass on my congrats to Sandy.

Jul 18, 2008 1:53 AM #

coach:

I was actually thinking the technology is available to do a real hi-tech cheating. If the runner had a satellite phone, someone sitting at home could just direct them around the course. Kind of a neat idea actually, if the runner didn't second guess, just ran as hard as they could with some one whispering in their ear, right, left..
Watching this was great spectating...

Jul 18, 2008 1:59 AM #

BorisGr:

The Swedish women were complaining that it was too darked in the green areas by the time they started. Does anyone who was actually there think the late start times were an actual problem that affected the results in the women's race? (All 3 medal winners started in the first half of the start list...)

Jul 18, 2008 3:16 AM #

backwoods:

congrats Sandy!

Jul 18, 2008 4:42 AM #

It was certainly too late for me to watch online in Australia. I stayed up to 1:15am to watch the mens' race online, but then hit the sack. Great coverage though. I enjoyed TracTrac.
Well done again to the Aussie girls.

Jul 18, 2008 7:03 AM #

Nick:

was quite dark-or cloudy dark later in the day ( cloudy/rainy day )( especially in the green area i imagine was even darker)

Jul 18, 2008 7:41 AM #

Holger ran an hour after the last women, and at that time it was starting to be dark in the green areas. Sunset was about 2047, more than an hour after the last women finished.

However, it didn't seem to darken appreciably until after the women's race was over. I think the reality is that on a cloudy/rainy/overcast day, all of those "mature" green areas (such as in some sections of the middle distance finals) do seem dark, regardless of the time of day.

I did not have to make any adjustments to the light/exposure settings on my camera throughout the entire womens race, and the camera's light meter is probably more sensitive to light intensity changes than my own subjective judgment.

The two medalists who started in the first half of the start list are certainly no big surprise. Minna is Minna, and quite capable of destroying the field on a good day. She knew she had won as soon as she finished, and said so in the interview shortly thereafter. Radka has been running really well this year, even better than her sister Dana at times, and with a good race, running on home terrain, I think nobody who knows her is particularly surprised that she was capable of a medal.

Vroni started 31st, so in the second half of the list. She is by far the most experienced elite runner in the field, and on this type of course it doesn't surprise me that she was able to adjust her tactics and adapt successfully to the unusual terrain, compared to women who are less experienced at running in WOCs.

Overall, however, it was a pretty darned long day. Up at 0630, home again by 2130 after being out at the events all day long. It appears that the IOF may well be adopting this "two-races-on-one-day" schedule as part of a fixed WOC program, though, so we may as well get used to it.

My $0.02.

Jul 18, 2008 9:35 AM #