WTOC starts tomorrow!
Posted on | August 22, 2016 | Category: WOC news
Today was the last chance for the WTOC competitors to prepare before the deciding events start tomorrow. At the scenic model event, competitors from 22 different countries had the opportunity to tune in on the Swedish terrain.
The atmosphere is relaxed. At the WTOC model event arena people are chatting and greeting opponents from other countries. Going from the arena to the start and along the path where the model event is held, the mood changes. 100 percent focus characterizes the competitors when they decide which control is marked in the right spot, if any.
Defending World Champion in TempO Antti Rusanen from Finland did the model event and feels confident after the course:
Antti Rusannen didn’t participate in the European Championships in Czech Republic in the spring because of just becoming a father, but now he is ready to go for the gold.
– The terrain was as I expected with some nice rock features. I am well prepared so I am aiming for gold in both TempO and PreO and I am sure I can make it, Antti Rusanen says with confidence.
As preparation Antti Rusannen has looked a lot at maps of the areas where the competitions will take place and has competed in both FootO and TrailO competitions back home in Finland:
– TrailO is all about understanding the map as well as possible. And the opposite way around, looking at the terrain and imagine how it would look like as a map, Antti Rusannen says.
Young Portuguese hope
In TrailO men and women compete in the same class, so among others Antti Rusannen can expect competition from Inês Domingues from Portugal. She is doing her second WTOC but with a 7th position from last year as debutant she can surprise. She has never been in the Swedish terrain before but still she is feeling well prepared:
Inês Domingues from Portugal just before the start of the model event.
– I have been looking a lot at maps and done competitions back home in Portugal and got some experience from the European Championships, Inês Domingues says.
An exactly experience is what Inês Domingues says makes it hard for her to be among the best in PreO. It really requires exceptional map reading skills, which only comes with experience. Instead she is fast at reading the map which is required in TempO; her favorite distance.
The Portuguese team consists of four people competing at WTOC. Who will make the team depends on the next day’s competitions but Inês Domingues feels confident about making the team, which she also was a part of at ETOC where Portugal came fourth.
Scenic Saltö
TempOThe form of TrailO where all the decision-making is timed, has gained much popularity in recent years, especially amongst younger orienteers. In WTOC the qualification event has 4 stations with 5 tasks at each, whilst the final will have 5 stations with 6 tasks each. The terrain will be a mixture of park and forest. |
WTOC starts tomorrow with the TempO qualification and final. The next days will contain of two rounds of PreO and
finish with PreO Relay. The competitors will meet varied terrain and three things are important for organizing a successful TrailO event. Good ground for moving, good visibility and a very detailed area. According to course planner Bosse Sandström, the competitors can look forward to all three things at all events.
If Bosse Sandström were to give a piece of advice before the championships start, it would be:
– Do not hesitate. And make use of the limited time, he says.
At this year’s WTOC, spectators will have the possibility to follow the elite competing in scenic surroundings. The first round of PreO takes place at the island and nature reserve Saltö. Especially the competitors will experience nice nature but spectators have the possibility to have a walk around the island.
The second round of PreO and the Relay take place at Tolvmanstegen, which is astonishing open mountainside containing a windmill park. Closest to Strömstad will be tomorrow’s TempO races, with same arena as the WOC Sprint qualification. The last controls will be possible for the spectators to watch, so it will be a great opportunity to get a feeling of TrailO.
Prepare even more for the TrailO events and read about the favorites here.
View on the way to first round of PreO at Saltö.
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