Discussion: WMOC--scandal in the making?

Well, supposedly the prestigious WMOC got underway yesterday, and yet numerous hours have passed already--not to mention an entire calendar day--without even a smidgeon of reporting on the festivities, ceremonies, and actual races and race preparations from any of our esteemed, fellow APers. One is left to ponder a very basic question: have they all been consumed by FDFs? Is there an international wireless connection crisis? Has some horrid monster eaten all the Austrian internet cafes?

All I know is that the NY Times isn't shedding much light on the mystery. This may demand crack investigation by the noted internationalist expert Kiki.

Hey, cool it, Swampfox.

Yesterday was the warm-up event, which I passed on, having just gotten off the plane.

Today, the city/park/sprint in downtown Wiener Neustadt, very fine. Don't know for sure, but I think Pavlina won F45 and I think I won M60. I've been more concerned since then (I ran just an hour ago) with a question posed by Joe B -- how many bonus points should be handed out? He, or maybe it was Randy, suggested 100 to both Pavlina and me, and then lesser amounts to others in the top 10 (including Joe in M40). The Commissioner is pondering this -- 100 is a very nice round number, though there might be a few objections. Stay tuned....

Has some horrid monster eaten all the Austrian internet cafes?
There must be some seroius misunderstanding here. If anything at all is eaten in an Austrian café - by a horrid monster or any regular human being - it has to be Sacher Torte. I´m sure that PG has a "Sacher Torte pig-out" on his agenda...

just back from the price giving. pavlina 1st F-45, peter 1st M-60, Sharon 2nd F-60, Evalin 2nd F-10, Viktoria 8th F-19A, Joe 7th M-40

You guys are awesome!

Looks like they have results up now for the Park event, here. Impressive show by the US! w00t!

Well, that's more like it!

I'm talking about the Sacher Torte, of course, in case there is any confusion. This looks like an excellent choice. I'm sure even Dessert Lady would approve (though she may require several tastings.) I doubt a torte or two could possibly move the G, so hopefully Peter can send along a comprehensive apres race report as well.

Congrats on the the fine results!!!

Peter, I guess the real question is, do you want to run in the A-heat at sprint finals. I'm sure a 100-point bonus would do the trick. The way you've been running this year, it might not even be necessary.

The Commissioner strikes again, shell we reward the 100 points? What the High Commissioner top assistants think?
I think, considering the effort to get there and the level of international competition, the fare amount of points would be 75 (it is a round number too ;-), and what we would have to reward for WOC win in sprint - 200 or 150 (I believe making the finals equals 50 points).
Congatulations to all, nice racing! (Bede, I want to see your medal when you come back)

Toby Imhof, 1st in M-50, has a US connection too. He won the 1000 day about 10 years ago, and amazed us with his fine vaulting ability.

Let's not ignore Vancouver's Margaret Ellis, who came 1st of 67 competitors in W60, just ahead of Sharon.

Seems like the Sprint Series has paid off in WMOC results :)

Day one of the qualifying for WMOC, lots of good results. Some preliminary numbers – Sharon and Pavlina (probably) leading their heats. I’ll be in the top few. Joe B and Tom Hollowell probably in top ten and looking good for A final. Randy and Gail around #15 to 17 (20 make it to A final in their age groups). For the Canadians, I remember Ted in 4th and Nic Duca in 3rd.

Amongst the Australians, Eric Morris, Eddie Wymer and Jim Russell leading when I left. We look like getting about 10-15 through to A finals at this stage. Most amaing performance was by Karen Staudte, who arrived in Vienna at 10.15 this morning (thanks to an exam back in Australia), and managed by a combination of train and taxi to get to the start 90 seconds before her start time. When I left she was 4th in W35-1 (and she passed the exam too).

Peter, Sharon, & Pavlina all finished at the top of their heats. Great job!

Eddie! Eddie! Eddie! Go man go! Be sure to hit the loo before entering the start chute (this time).

uh?

Eddie Wymer had a "bathroom incident" at the start of the Italy WC Long last October. Looks like Randy just missed qualifying today by 97 seconds. How was your FC run on Sunday? It was hot as hades. I had some trouble finding #14 on that southmost rock, then I botched the next one, pulling up short. My punchcard turned back into pulp on the way to #6 from all the sweating.

Before or after the start? I feel for the guy.

Well, since you are co-opting this thread for a private conversation, I'll play along.

I also had a small problem with #14 -- the only one where I had a problem in the control circle. Otherwise, quite a good run, but I felt slow and way hot. My card was soaked, too -- to the point that it fell off my strap and I had to stick it down my pants.

You should draw your route in the DVOA route gadget setup. You can get to it off the DVOA homepage.

Did the folks at the finish know you had stuck it down your pants when you handed it to them? We might have to add latex gloves to our finish line equipment.

The 1000-Day finish line crew has been trying for years to remember to bring gloves. Pants or no pants, some of the cards that are handed in are really disgusting. The bloody ones are probably more hazardous than the ones dripping with smelly sweat, although the muddy ones grab your attention as well. Open safety pins are a danger to be alert for that gloves won't protect against. It's a point that epunch proponents should remember to mention.

Well, not unless they read this. But, I can't take all the blame.

First, we shouldn't be using disintegrating paper punch cards. Second, they should make the forest more comfortable for runners.

If the meet crew did those basic things (I'd be happy with the latter) no one would suffer from these problems.