Wrap-up from Finland

Well, the World Cup in Finland is over. The final two races (Middle and Sprint distances) were a definite improvement for me. Although the final placings on each event weren't great, I was still quite happy with the improvement in my orienteering technique compared to the Long distance race.

On the middle, I had a fair run, with few mistakes (no major ones) and a slightly faster running speed in the forest. The GPS tracking for Nordic Champs / World Cup allowed for some great internet spectating, but also for some good post-race analysis for the runners.

Below is a section of my GPS route over the first 4 controls. Although I had good contact with the map and was always aware of my exact position, it's clear that I now need to focus on running more directly, rather then bouncing around like a pinball.


The GPS tracking system that was used at NOC is a superb development for orienteering. Competitors could be tracked live over the internet. The tracking also allows a spectator to analyse every competitors route in elapsed start intervals or head-to-head with a mass start.

Results, split times and the GPS tracking for all the NOC races can be found here.

As predicted, the Sprint Qualification was fast and furious. With 33 runners in each heat and only 11 going through to the final, you needed to finish within 27 - 36 seconds of the heat winner to make it through!

As also predicted, I was never in with a chance. I would not have put money on myself, even with odds of 100-1. I ran a pretty clean race, with a 30 second route choice error to # 2 and a double back leaving # 15 (10 seconds), but I was still 4 minutes off.


I thus joined the crowds in the central market place in Salo to watch the Sprint Final later in the day. Once again, a great PR exercise with live television coverage incorporating the GPS tracking on display at the finish. There were some great performances from the world's best, and some very tight competition once again. It was interesting to note that none of the 34 men in the final caught the person stating just 1 minute ahead.


With Finland over, I can now focus once again on the World Games in July and World Champs in August. Finland was a good tester to see where my orienteering ability was against some tough international competition. I've come away from it feeling reasonably positive and fully aware of my weaknesses.

Up Next
The South African National Team still has various events coming up this year. First however, the Junior Team (their blog is here travel to Italy to compete in the Junior World Champs, 5 - 12 July. The Senior team however first compete in the World Games (17 - 19 July) in Taiwan and then the World Champs (15 - 23 August) in Hungary. We'll have more blog postings on these competitions in the coming months.

Nicholas Mulder

Nordic Champs

, Well, the first half of Nordic Champs in Salo, Finland is over. The Long distance took place on Saturday and the Relay on Sunday. The region around Salo is simply beautiful!


I had a so-so run at the Long. The terrain is very complex, and the GPS tracking of various athletes showed some major mistakes, even amongst the worlds best. I had 2 major mistakes, one of 10 minutes and another of 5 minutes. Then there were lots of smaller mistakes within the control circle at various controls.

Looking at the bright side, it could have been worse. I at least had some decent legs, particularly towards the end of the course when I got used to the map and when my endurance stamina was still going strong. My running speed on the terrain is still poor however, and this is one item I will need to focus on at the Middle distance.

Results, split times and GPS tracking for the race is available here.


As I'm the only South African here, I got to watch the relay from the side lines. Fascinating stuff once again. Sweden seem to be in very strong form at the moment, in both mens and womens as well as the junior categories. Some countries managed to field 2 or 3 relay teams, with the 'B' teams quite often giving their 'A' team compatriots a good run for their money.

The GBR mens team where one of those.


There are 2 races left. On Tuesday we have the Middle distance, where I hope to improve my performance. Then on Wednesday it is the Sprint, which will take place in and around the suburbs of Salo. It will be fast!

Nicholas Mulder

Hungarian update

The 4th Training Camp for WOC 2009 is almost finished. I've had a heap load of training in the last 5 days, between 1 and 3 training runs / races per day. Hungary is a very enjoyable country, but the mountains where we've been orienteering have probably been the best part. They are really beautiful for O' and for being an (active) tourist - walking trails, bike trails, caves, lakes, etc.

Although Miskolc is a pretty sizeable town with plenty of shopping malls, traffic lights and apartment blocks, you don't have to go far to find rural gridlock...

Anyway, back to the forests. They are mixed broad leaf, mainly beech with some pine. The photo is typical of the light green, but it doesn't slow you down much.

The geology is karst, so lots of limestone rocks, negative depressions, etc. Big boulders like this aren't too common though.

One of the better training runs I did was interval training, with SI timing provided. The intervals were unusually long, but then the terrain was also very fast and relatively flat. I was a bit scrappy towards the end of the training.

However, the most enjoyable session was actually a race, the Hungarian Night Champs. This was the first 'proper' night event that I've ever done, as I've only orienteered in park-type terrain at night before (and 1 rogaine). The thought of navigating in the dark through proper European forest was a bit intimidating before the start.

I managed to ace the first control, which gave me some great confidence. The 2nd control was hidden in a vegetated pit, which didn't help and then I messed up the first long leg. However, I settled down nicely after this and started picking up competitors who had started ahead of me. My big mistake was not realising where the water point was (#10) and running straight past it. I bonked big time and ended up walking large sections from #13 onwards. Nevertheless, I still thought it a great experience. Can't wait for another one!

Following the end of the training camp, I'm off to Finland to compete in the Nordic Champs / World Cup near the town of Salo. The first race, the long distance, is this Saturday.

http://www.noc2009.fi/

Nicholas Mulder