Sally Calland tells us about her experiences as a volunteer at the World Orienteering Championships
The World Orienteering Sprint Championships took place in Edinburgh this year where 330 athletes from 45 countries took part. In addition, around 1200 other competitors, again from all over the world took part in races over the same areas around the city of Edinburgh.
I had already entered the WOC tour races with a bunch of Royal Signals soldiers, and a couple of months ago, I was fortunate enough to be selected as part of Andy Yeates’ elite start team crew.
There were lots of early starts and late finishes, but it was worth it. I was allocated the role of handing over the race maps to the athletes at the starts. What fun to get up close and personal with all the athletes.
What was interesting was how the athletes were in the build up to the start and their individual subtle preparations. Here are a few of the things I noticed:
- Shouting ‘huh’ like a US Marine!
- Taping SIACs onto fingers was a thing!
- Focusing exercises with thumbs and maps and compasses.
- Leg slapping predominantly by the men.
- Shaved legs and I am not talking about the women!
- Some shaking with nerves, some happy to chat.
- What was not so interesting was the smell and the snot, but I will leave that for now!
All the races were extremely technical and there were lots and lots of mistakes (it is not just us!)
Daniel Hubmann posted this on social media about the individual sprint final:
Lots of athletes struggled to see the small gate at the foot of the steps. Analysis is here: http://news.worldofo.com/2024/07/13/woc-2024-sprint-analysis-maps-and-results/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1j3eFrgIOFg5sASafiH14x3v0k025y84o0jUIvikhCL_dDCdt1KKU7-oQ_aem_ijl-cbgttmBcSjvT37RPhQ
The GBR athletes raced hard and of note Megan Carter-Davies made it to the knockout final. A very brave solo dash saw her take a 10 second lead ahead of all the pack.
She maintained the lead until just before the end when she made a mistake and climbed a set of dead end stairs. Which way would you have gone?
Here is the map, route 4–5 is the challenge. Megan’s route is below.
I managed to catch Grace and Peter Molloy ahead of their races on home soil. They both had some great results and it was a pleasure to meet them.
When I was not helping at the start I managed to run. It was tough and we ran on most of the areas the elites runners did.
I had some good runs not dipping below 5th place and even managed to get around the indoor event.
