2003 COCs in Kamloops- "Especially the M21E course on Day 1 suffered pretty badly."
This might get slightly off topic, but I couldn't disagree more. I would agree that Day 2 was more interesting, but both courses would make my "best of decade list", not that that's a short list. I think these two days together fully utilized a fantastic looking area (I was not there).
The main reason I think they are great is specifically their economy of controls, or more bluntly their lack of controls. My immediate split second impression back in 2003, was that these courses were a breath a fresh air, in contrast to the current trend in Long courses, which are more like extended Middles, but with more mindless legs.
Instead these courses featured long, well crafted legs, as long as the terrain allowed, with only enough controls for constant O interest, placed in optimal spots create route choices, maximize rough map reading, and provide technical control sites.
When done right, a single control site can provide most, if not all of the challenges specified in the IOF's definition of the Long course, including change-of-pace. I think these courses are "exhibit A" of how to do that, with a little help from a wonderful looking piece of terrain.
These courses can be viewed in the O-log archive at
http://www.mapsurfer.com/
While there, check out the 2003 COC Short Champs for a litle contrast. 300m and a control, 300m and a control, 300m and a control, 300m...