The last week has been tough for the two South Africans, Jeremy Green and Nicholas Mulder. There is very little terrain that can replicate the tough marshy and bushy conditions that exist in the forest around Trondheim. Despite some good training over the last few months, both competitors were left feeling worn out after just a few training sessions during the pre-WOC training week.
The predominant note about Trondheim forest is how wet it is underfoot. Every footstep sees you sinking into the loose ground at least a few centimetres, whilst at least 1/2 of any course sees a competitor running on either damp or full marshy ground. Indeed, many route choice options will actually see competitors purposefully running in the marshes as tree density is significantly less in these places. Add in some mountainous terrain, a thick layer of 15 - 30cm high blue berry bushes as ground cover and the stage is all set for some extremely physical terrain. The average speed of the course winners will be some of the slowest in many, many years. As a result, the two team members took a well-needed rest day on Friday before completing a short model event on Saturday morning.
The last week has also allowed the team to see some on the natural beauty of the region. The weather has been incredibly favourable in the last week, with hardly a drop of rain during the day (this has actually made the marshes relatively dry - at least by Trondheim standards). This has resulted in some beautiful sunsets and idyllic scenery. Apparently the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) has been going wild for the last few nights, alas the team has not been lucky enough to see them due to cloud cover, excessive light or the need for sleep!
The WOC Week gets off underway on Sunday morning at 9am with the Sprint Qualification. Jeremy starts at 10h10 (same time in Norway as in S.A.), with Nicholas off at 10h27. It should all be over in about 15 - 20 minutes. If either make the final (unlikely, but this is Jeremy's favourite event), this will take place later at 14h40.
In the meantime, there should also be some good Team SA support, with a small contingent of South Africans in Trondheim at the moment as spectators and to compete in the WOC Tour events. These include Kirsty Green (AR Club), Richard Lange and Jenny Bradshaw (PENOC) as well as Richard Gathercole (formerly PENOC, now resident in Austria).
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