A while ago the SA National team for WOC was contacted by the Norwegian Orienteering Press. They were on a mission to find out what everyone else was doing in preparation for WOC.
We were asked to answer a list of questions. The Irish team blog shows that they did a great job and duly thought long and hard before putting their fingers to the keyboard and issuing a well considered response.
I have seen too many questionnaires in my time, so as the 'less-capped' South African team member, Jeremy Green was asked to answer it. Being South African, he decided to do away with the political correctness and answer with full honesty. No responses from the Norwegian journalist (Bernt O. Myrvold) as yet...
How do the team prepare for the detailed and hilly Norwegian terrain?
Lots of hill work - Westcliff stairs - 3 minutes of stairs - improve on speed for when I can run - lots of core stability work (pilates).
Are there any specific preparations for running in the soft marshes?
Not yet - but I suppose I should think of something.
Has there been or will there be any training camps in Norwegian terrain before the event?
No
How large team are you planning to send?
2
How far before the WOC does the team plan to arrive in Trondheim?
Tuesday 3rd lunchtime
Do you expect any specific problems with food, culture etc.?
Nope
Do your federation covers the expenses for the runners, or do they have to do it themselves?
Entry clothing and some accommodation only. Flights, food and balance of accommodation covered by ourselves.
Do you have any specific goals for the results?
Not to make any big mistakes and thereby not to come last. (not sure I should say that in an interview)
Friday, 25 June 2010
Friday, 18 June 2010
SA Team for WOC 2010 - Norway
South Africa will send two men to this year's World Orienteering Championship in Trondheim, Norway. The Champs take place from 07 - 15 August on the country's west coast. The terrain is expected to be hilly, wet and generally slow going.
The two competitors are:
Jeremy Green - Adventure Racing Club, Johannesburg
Nicholas Mulder - Rand Orienteering Club, Johannesburg
Both have competed in WOC before, with this being Jeremy's third appearance ('06, '07) and Nicholas' ninth ('99, '01, '03, '04, '06, '07, '08, '09). Both runners will be competing in all three individual races.
Unfortunately, this will only be the second time since South Africa's admission to the IOF (in 1993) that they will not be fielding a relay team at WOC (there were no South African representatives in Japan in WOC 2005). Since 2004, when World Championships changed from an biannual to an annual schedule, the country has struggled to field strong teams due to the increased annual costs and time burden on the runners. On a more positive note, there is a recent revival of interest amongst the elite runners in the country for participating at future WOCs. Together with a strong crop of juniors currently working their way through the ranks (a team of 8 juniors will represent the country in JWOC Denmark next month), the team should look forward to stronger representation at WOC 2011 in France and WOC 2012 in Switzerland.
More info on this years WOC can be found at http://woc2010.com/
The two competitors are:
Jeremy Green - Adventure Racing Club, Johannesburg
Nicholas Mulder - Rand Orienteering Club, Johannesburg
Both have competed in WOC before, with this being Jeremy's third appearance ('06, '07) and Nicholas' ninth ('99, '01, '03, '04, '06, '07, '08, '09). Both runners will be competing in all three individual races.
Unfortunately, this will only be the second time since South Africa's admission to the IOF (in 1993) that they will not be fielding a relay team at WOC (there were no South African representatives in Japan in WOC 2005). Since 2004, when World Championships changed from an biannual to an annual schedule, the country has struggled to field strong teams due to the increased annual costs and time burden on the runners. On a more positive note, there is a recent revival of interest amongst the elite runners in the country for participating at future WOCs. Together with a strong crop of juniors currently working their way through the ranks (a team of 8 juniors will represent the country in JWOC Denmark next month), the team should look forward to stronger representation at WOC 2011 in France and WOC 2012 in Switzerland.
More info on this years WOC can be found at http://woc2010.com/
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