Discussion: Venice Orienteering
in: Orienteering; General
Nov 22, 2009 5:04 PM
#
AZ:
Just back from running a race in Venice. I'm sure most of you have heard about what a super race that is, but if not - this really is great fun.
This year Matthias Mahr was the course planner. I understand that he had run the race thirteen times and this year was looking for something different, so offered to set the courses from England. He did a great job, creating a bizarre combination of sprint-like map reading, middle-like concentration and technical, and long-like endurance and route choice. Absolutely amazing combination!
Great fun. Everyone should go to this race given the slightest opportunity.
Does anyone have Matthias' email address? He was asking for feedback, but I lost the address
This year Matthias Mahr was the course planner. I understand that he had run the race thirteen times and this year was looking for something different, so offered to set the courses from England. He did a great job, creating a bizarre combination of sprint-like map reading, middle-like concentration and technical, and long-like endurance and route choice. Absolutely amazing combination!
Great fun. Everyone should go to this race given the slightest opportunity.
Does anyone have Matthias' email address? He was asking for feedback, but I lost the address
Nov 22, 2009 6:09 PM
#
feet:
You have an email.
Matthias is a CSU member, was in Boston for a couple of years in the early 2000s. He has run for CSU at Tiomila and at Jukola.
Course is at http://www.dxdeluxe.se/linnekartparmen/show_map.ph...
He was also (quietly) a course consultant for a couple of meets I've set in the US - including this year's US sprint champs. (I take all the blame; he made improving suggestions.)
Matthias is a CSU member, was in Boston for a couple of years in the early 2000s. He has run for CSU at Tiomila and at Jukola.
Course is at http://www.dxdeluxe.se/linnekartparmen/show_map.ph...
He was also (quietly) a course consultant for a couple of meets I've set in the US - including this year's US sprint champs. (I take all the blame; he made improving suggestions.)
Nov 22, 2009 8:53 PM
#
I vote "one against" people telling us how nice it is to orienteer in Venice. Bragging about the quality of the courses just makes it worse. ;-)
Nov 22, 2009 11:29 PM
#
As I live in Slovenia....I regularly ran Venice:) and this year course was my best elite course ever. Congratulations and very big applause to Matthias Mahr.
I am putting my comment just for the long leg. I really like the philosophy of leg 22. I didn’t have time to plan in advance or to think before what to do. When I was running I folded my map and I haven’t had time to saw the whole leg. I was also tired at that moment (very strategic to put leg at the end) so I immediately choose right option, as I already ran one part of the leg. Right option (17 bridges/5 large – more steps) instead of left option (12 bridges/1 large). I still think that left option could be the fastest one, but Jan Troeng really make an impressive time with straight option. This option was high risk for me as you need constant reading, hard to run full speed with too many chances for mistakes.
I am putting my comment just for the long leg. I really like the philosophy of leg 22. I didn’t have time to plan in advance or to think before what to do. When I was running I folded my map and I haven’t had time to saw the whole leg. I was also tired at that moment (very strategic to put leg at the end) so I immediately choose right option, as I already ran one part of the leg. Right option (17 bridges/5 large – more steps) instead of left option (12 bridges/1 large). I still think that left option could be the fastest one, but Jan Troeng really make an impressive time with straight option. This option was high risk for me as you need constant reading, hard to run full speed with too many chances for mistakes.
Nov 23, 2009 3:41 PM
#
AZ:
;-) If I had been bragging I would have mentioned the previous week's event - the Istanbul 5 Days. Possibly the most exotic back-to-back set of races possible - Istanbul then Venice. The orienteering tourist's dream. I'm still pinching myself
Nov 23, 2009 4:37 PM
#
bubo:
Talking about bragging (well, not really) - I actually ran in the first two Venice O-meets back in 1980 and 1981 (?).
The first was held on the regular tourist map with all the street (and canals and bridges) names and sights marked on it. Next year the map was stripped from all additional information, but not yet adapted to O-mapping standards.
I remember one of the runners in my travel group actually took a gondola from the last control to the finish! It cost him a lot of time (and money) but what the heck...!
I guess I could dig up the old maps if someone is interested.
The first was held on the regular tourist map with all the street (and canals and bridges) names and sights marked on it. Next year the map was stripped from all additional information, but not yet adapted to O-mapping standards.
I remember one of the runners in my travel group actually took a gondola from the last control to the finish! It cost him a lot of time (and money) but what the heck...!
I guess I could dig up the old maps if someone is interested.
Nov 23, 2009 5:25 PM
#
re: Gondola. That rocks! That guy has spirit!
Lisa and I visited Venice before our O days but even then we spent much of our time with our heads in the tourist map navigating and exploring every alley. Some day we will be back for some real O. But I guess we had better do it before Venice sinks or it is renamed "Walt Disney World: Venice."
Lisa and I visited Venice before our O days but even then we spent much of our time with our heads in the tourist map navigating and exploring every alley. Some day we will be back for some real O. But I guess we had better do it before Venice sinks or it is renamed "Walt Disney World: Venice."
Dec 9, 2009 7:07 AM
#
AZ:
I just ran the Venice race again.
This time on Catching Features.
It is a super race - filled with all the fun and frustration of the real thing. Hats off to whoever made it (though he didn't use Matthias' course)
This time on Catching Features.
It is a super race - filled with all the fun and frustration of the real thing. Hats off to whoever made it (though he didn't use Matthias' course)
Dec 10, 2009 11:09 PM
#
Having spent 4 days exploring the back streets of Venice before JWOC this year, I am deeply jealous. I guess this event needs to be added to my "1001 Remaining Things to Do in My Life" list.
Dec 10, 2009 11:20 PM
#
bl:
What an excellent "rabbits' warren O puzzle" opportunity. Imagined it might feature canoe-O prior to viewing course. Someday, before it submerges....
Dec 12, 2009 1:59 PM
#
Thanks for the tip on Catching Features. I hadn't checked it in a while and might otherwise have missed it. Good fun.
Dec 13, 2009 1:37 AM
#
Canoe O' in Venice might sound fun... but the wakes and turbulence created by motorized traffic on the larger canals would make it pretty dangerous. There are also lots of legal restrictions on boat ownership and types of boats. Come to think of it, I do not recall seeing a single canoe or kayak when I visited Vencie. Are they permitted at all?
This discussion thread is closed.