Discussion: WOC Middle Final
in: Orienteering; General
Aug 4, 2006 1:07 PM
#
Holger Hott Johansen - World Champion!!!!!!!!!
With an early start (15th out of 45) it was a long wait and a lot of nail biting but Holger did.
An amazing run from Jamie Stevension as well to take the bronze.
Congratulations Holger!
With an early start (15th out of 45) it was a long wait and a lot of nail biting but Holger did.
An amazing run from Jamie Stevension as well to take the bronze.
Congratulations Holger!
Aug 4, 2006 4:19 PM
#
For me, it has definitely been the most exciting 60 minutes of orienteering spectating that I've ever done, though 13 years of World Championships and World Cups....
Starting so early in the field, we knew his chances were not good. But he had taken a clear lead at the radio controls and spectator control.... At first, his time looked pretty good, and I was thinking - wow, maybe if he's lucky it's a top 10 finish. That'd make up for his disappointment in the classic.
Then, as time wore on and the big names came through with Per Forsberg adding a "but he's too late to beat the time of Holger Hott Johansen" to their announcements, then I though maybe he might even be in the top 6 and get onto the podium photo.
Then it became clearer and clearer that he had, after missing a little in the beginning of the course, absolutely smoked the last part of the course - then I understood that unless you were about 30 seconds ahead of Holger by the spectator control, your chances were not good....
His time withstood challenge after challenge, but finally two guys came through well ahead of him - Huovila and Novikov - and it started to get really nerve-wracking. By this time we could believe that maybe, just maybe, even a medal was possible....
Then Novikov made a big boom, and unless Gueorgiou (who had missed early but was steadily picking up places) pulled out some magic, then it was looking very good for a medal - Stevenson had come through at about the same time as Holger, and so it was also looking good for the British....
Jamie pulled out all the stops, but couldn't quite match Holger's time. And then we started to really believe that it just might be a golden run for Holger....
The pre-warning came for Huovila and we were wondering if he might have just appeared in time to snatch the victory away, but after his furious finish sprint came up short, it was done. Gueorgiou was also too late, and victory was his.
What a day of sweet redemption for Holger, after a disastrous experience with leg cramps in the classic!
Sadly, it's probably not enough to get him onto the Norwegian relay team for tomorrow (barring an 11th hour reprieve) - so for the first time in ages, the newly-crowned World Champion may have to sit out the relay....
Starting so early in the field, we knew his chances were not good. But he had taken a clear lead at the radio controls and spectator control.... At first, his time looked pretty good, and I was thinking - wow, maybe if he's lucky it's a top 10 finish. That'd make up for his disappointment in the classic.
Then, as time wore on and the big names came through with Per Forsberg adding a "but he's too late to beat the time of Holger Hott Johansen" to their announcements, then I though maybe he might even be in the top 6 and get onto the podium photo.
Then it became clearer and clearer that he had, after missing a little in the beginning of the course, absolutely smoked the last part of the course - then I understood that unless you were about 30 seconds ahead of Holger by the spectator control, your chances were not good....
His time withstood challenge after challenge, but finally two guys came through well ahead of him - Huovila and Novikov - and it started to get really nerve-wracking. By this time we could believe that maybe, just maybe, even a medal was possible....
Then Novikov made a big boom, and unless Gueorgiou (who had missed early but was steadily picking up places) pulled out some magic, then it was looking very good for a medal - Stevenson had come through at about the same time as Holger, and so it was also looking good for the British....
Jamie pulled out all the stops, but couldn't quite match Holger's time. And then we started to really believe that it just might be a golden run for Holger....
The pre-warning came for Huovila and we were wondering if he might have just appeared in time to snatch the victory away, but after his furious finish sprint came up short, it was done. Gueorgiou was also too late, and victory was his.
What a day of sweet redemption for Holger, after a disastrous experience with leg cramps in the classic!
Sadly, it's probably not enough to get him onto the Norwegian relay team for tomorrow (barring an 11th hour reprieve) - so for the first time in ages, the newly-crowned World Champion may have to sit out the relay....
Aug 4, 2006 5:45 PM
#
Thanks Wil - having missed the coverage due to that sleep thing I could almost hear the "Holger with Gold ...that's for sure!" over the loudspeaker in my head.
Aug 4, 2006 6:04 PM
#
"Jarkko is too late that's for shore...i think...yes indeedy".
The best interview was with Tero (orienteers don't seem to be as good with the sound bites just yet). Anyway, I can't remember the exact wording but he was asked if he was disappointed about ending the series (streak) of wins. His answer
"Yes...but it will start again soon"
The best interview was with Tero (orienteers don't seem to be as good with the sound bites just yet). Anyway, I can't remember the exact wording but he was asked if he was disappointed about ending the series (streak) of wins. His answer
"Yes...but it will start again soon"
Aug 4, 2006 6:21 PM
#
Agreed. Just needs the right spin. Maybe we should hire Karl Rove...?
Seriously, with the TV controls, spectator controls, trac-trac, interviews, and the finishers getting progressively better as the event wears on ...and an announcer like Per, it would be very easy to put together 46 exciting minutes per hour.
Seriously, with the TV controls, spectator controls, trac-trac, interviews, and the finishers getting progressively better as the event wears on ...and an announcer like Per, it would be very easy to put together 46 exciting minutes per hour.
Aug 5, 2006 1:08 AM
#
Congrats to Jaime Stevenson also making some history for the GB team. It's been a marvellous WOC for the Brits, and they have strong relay teams to come. If Jon Duncan isn't completely shattered after all the racing so far I think he could be contending to be 1st back on the relay 1st leg.
Go GB, US and Canada!
Go GB, US and Canada!
Aug 5, 2006 4:57 AM
#
My favorite interview snippet was with Jarkko, when the announcer said "So, you have mixed feelings about winning silver and being so close to gold?" And Jarkko said, "Not mixed. I am not happy."
Aug 5, 2006 5:46 AM
#
If only one control could get thrown out. Jarkko made a 1-minute mistake on 16 only to lose by 8 seconds. Novikov had an even better race going, but he lost it on #17 with a 2-minute error. The dreaded pink control in Winsplits got several of the top runners.
Congratulations to Holger and to Simone!
Congratulations to Holger and to Simone!
This discussion thread is closed.