Women
Long Distance
Louise Oram, Pam James, Charlotte MacNaughton (1st alternate Sandy Hott Johansen).
Middle Distance
Sandy Hott Johansen, Pam James, Philippa McNeil (1st alternate Marie-Cat Bruno)
Sprint Distance
Sandy Hott Johansen, Philippa McNeil, Marie–Cat Bruno. (1st alternate Pam James)
Relay
Sandy Hott Johansen, Pam James, Louise Oram (1st alternate Philippa McNeil).
Alternates
Victoria Smith and Heather Smith are first and second (non-travelling) alternates.
Men
Long Distance
Nick Duca, Jon Torrance, Brent Langbakk (1st alternate, Mike Smith)
Middle Distance
Mike Smith, Nick Duca, Wil Smith (1st alternate, Jon Torrance)
Sprint Distance
Jon Torrance, Mike Smith, Wil Smith (1st alternate, Nick Duca)
Relay
Nick Duca, Mike Smith, Brent Langbakk (1st alternate Wil Smith, 2nd alternate, Jon Torrance)
Alternate
Chris Piller has been named as the 1st alternate. If he chooses to travel to Japan, he will be the 1st alternate for all events except the relay.
Looks like a strong team. I am excited to see how you will do in the Sprint Jon. If you run as well as you have been in NA, you should be able to get a pretty good result.
Looks like Charlotte & M-C are going to Japan with the expectation to run only one WOC race each, and M-C for about 15-20 minutes (or twice that, incl. the qualifier.)
Who out there would be willing to travel to WOC to run just once race? Before having kids, my answer would have been definitely yes, and even with kids, it's a probably.
If it were in a place where I could run lots of other cool races on the same plane tickets, then I would too!
Not me. One 15 minute race is not enough to justify the expenditure of thousands of my own dollars, hundreds of the team's dollars, hundreds of my club's dollars and thousands of miles on an aircraft. I wouldn't feel right about using other people's funds that way.
I don't think I would have gone had it only been one race, unless it were a place where I was going to other races too (as jfredrickson said)... but I am not really sure what I would really do if I found myself in that position.
For me I am going for two races (well, kinda 3). One 36-43 minute one and one 50 min qualifier then an A or a B final at 70 mins... but keep in mind this is the winners that would have these times... so for me it will be even more money's worth ;)
I would go for one race. A lot of nations do it this way, but then again those athletes don't pay to go¨.
I really like the Canadian system of deciding who runs what within the decision of who is going. I personally would like to see it done that way on the US team. Slowly I am getting anxious to know what I will be running at WOC, it would make the most sense to prepare for a specific event, right?
Ted de St. Croix went to WOC in Australia and ran "only" 1 race. He came 10th - the best ever by a North American.
I've been to WOC twice, run 5 quals and never placed higher than 24th in a qual. What are my odds of becoming the next "Ted" if I fly halfway around the planet and run for 15 mins? What are any NA folks' odds of that at this moment in time?
The other nations that do it this way have the depth to support specialists in particular races. As far as I can tell there are no single-discipline specialists in NA.
More importantly, for those of you who would jump to go to a single short race, what about the two world cup weekends held each year? There was ample opportinuty for multiple races at each of those for anyone who wanted to go, but only Pavi went from the US to the UK (Karen and Sandra being quite a bit closer at the time, but yes they were there too). Peter sent around a note about getting a NA person into a PWT race this year, but I guess no one was interested in flying around the world for *that* 15 minute race. There are other big races each year - Spring Cup, the big relays in Scandi, DK, Nordic Champs, O-ringen for that matter. And lets not forget about the dearth of americans at the NA champs last year...in Ohio. All of these are fine races with strong, international fields. Why are people willing to go to great lengths to run in a single WOC qualifier, but turn up their noses at all of these other great opportunities to represent their country? I think its just the name association with running at WOC. The "prestige" if you will. If the US had a Haldin or Johannsen or Ikonen or Luder I could understand sending someone for a single race, but with the small numbers we have I just don't think we could justify it.
If selection had turned out differently, I would have gone for just one race, even if that one was the sprint (no B final) and the prestige of running in WOC clearly is a factor. Of course, I'd then also have run several of the public races to make the trip feel worthwhile from an O point of view. And I've never been to Japan so the trip is pretty cool independent of O.
I can't argue with Eddie's point about other international races - though everyone faces budgetary and time constraints, I hope those and the US and Canadian selection procedures next year will allow me to see many Canadians and Americans at the European Champs/WC Round 1.
Addendum: on reflection, we already know the US Trials aren't a conflict so I just need to lobby the COF to make sure Canadians who want to can go.
I think the answer to Eddie's question--though re-phrased here as to why anyone ever goes to any one particular race rather than the single WOC qualifier Eddie points to--is that each orienteer has a varying set of personal goals and interests and circumstances that interplay and dictate what races/events look attractive and which are less attractive.
It could be that someone among us has had a lifelong desire to visit, say, New Zealand, and would jump at the chance to combine a trip there with a WOC there, even if the only race they were going to get to run was the Sprint qualifier. And it could be that someone else, at the very peak of their O' career, declines a chance to go to a WOC being hosted by Lower Bratwurstia, simply because they just aren't that into sausage countries. Who knows. Sometimes it's just going to work out that some folks aren't interested in a particular WOC (or whatever other event) and sometimes more or less everybody is going to be interested.
In the end, you get the best team together that you can, try to get the best results possible from that group, and try to have some good times while doing so. It's just sport, and there will always be another crop of athletes and more races and new possibilities.
I would definitely jump at a chance to go to Bratwurstia even if only for the sausage.
Strongbadia! Population: tire.
To comment on what Sandra said about the way the Canadian team was chosen...
I think we were all a bit nervous to take this plunge but we knew it was a huge improvement from previous years. In the end, it boiled down to all of us completely trusting Ted to make decisions that are in teh best interest of our team and that we could all live with. Our trust was well placed. There were some tough decisions and negotiating, especially with re to the women but I think we are not only sending the best team we can but also have people competing in the events in which they excel. Finally, it is nice that we have a larger team than before and more people can gain experience (even if it is only for one race)
My only previous WOC experience was the long in Switzerland but I was able to do races as part of the Swiss O-week as well and I feel like I have a bit of an idea of what the whole WOC experience is all about and what to expect going in to this one.
To answer Eddie's question/remark that is starting to make me look like a selfish fool: I am NOT using anybody's money, because Canada DOES NOT have any money. So no Eddie, I am not feeling guilty at all.
I have been to WOC and WC plenty of times, and I don't need the prestige of it either.There are lots of other reasons to travel to other countries. How long was Ellen's wedding ceremony? Don't you think it was a bit silly to travel all that far for a wedding? No, because you had other reasons to wanna go.
It is quite rare that we get the group of girls (national women) all together to go on a trip. We have a fantastic camaraderie, and it's always great to spend time together. I like the sprint, I do well at it, and they wanted me to go. We will also run other races in Japan (including a 7 person relay), eat sushi and drink Sake. So really, there is absolutely no guilt and I am looking forward to my only 15 minute race.
Voila.
You can spend your money any way you like of course. The question was posed and I gave my answer with my reasons. The US team funding comes purely from fund-raisers that the US team members and supporters put on...much like the one Sandy is running this weekend (In other words, "bake sales"). The US team does not get a free ride, if thats what you meant to imply. I know how much effort goes into that because I'm a part of it, and would feel bad if I presonally used those funds in a way I felt was less than efficient. Going on a trip with your friends is great fun. I had a BLAST in Sweden last year, but I also felt like I had a responsibility - a job to do - as a member of the team and I did the best I could. I don't like being paid for more than I'm worth (or at least my own opinion of my worth as an orienteer) and as a member of my country's team I would feel bad if I only ran 15 mins as their rep, on my nickel *or* "theirs."
Hail Strongbadia! I'd go there for just one race, although the map would be pretty simple (one fence, a couple of black X's, and that's about it). I should draw that up in 0CAD. If it's a relay, I want Senor Cardgage, Frank Benedetto, and Homsar on my team.
Aha, by September, it's expected that there will be a pit in Strongbadia as well!
Hello Attackpointers! Interesting discussion... I thought I would weigh in.
The way I see it, we send people to WOC for 2 reasons:
1) To represent our country with the best races and results possible
2) To give up-and-comers experience, so they will get inspired and have the best possibility to do (1) in the future.
I think the way this year's Canadian team has been selected beautifully fulfills both objectives. By sending the largest team possible we give more people the exposure (experience, chance to get inspired!), at the same time maximizing everyone's chances of racing their best race possible at WOC (by being able to focus on a limited number of races and not spread their physical and mental energy thin). The most positive thing about it, is that people are willing to pay from their own pocket to do this! This is the brightest moment in Canadian orienteering as long as I can remember!
As for "getting your money's worth", do you think 100m runners in the Olympics grumble (or feel guilty) about travelling halfway around the world for a race that only lasts 10 seconds? Sheesh. The length of the race is unimportant, it's what you do in the race that matters. I really think the people who support our National Teams are hoping for good results, not wondering if they're getting the most racing time possible for their bake-sale-dollar.
Train on!
Eddie (and others),
I completely understand your point of not wanting to waste the US Team's money for just one race. However, such a situation that someone would only be going for one race can only appear if the ESC chooses to spend its money in such a way. We both know that the money is hard-earned and never plentiful (which is why we have never had the luxury to select someone for just one race- at least not recently), but certainly if the ESC were to choose to send me or you or anyone else to WOC for just one race, I see no reason at all to feel guilty about it. Just go, do your best and, of course, have fun.
As for other, non-WOC events, I can't speak for others, but as for myself there are a couple of reasons why I have not gone to World Cups so far:
1) Personal goals. You are right, prestige is part of it, but it's only a way that I have chosen to compare myself against the best in the sport. It also happens to be a way the US Team has chosen to compare itself to its rivals. As part of that team, I want to help it fulfill its goals. This is why, if those were my only options, I would choose one race at WOC over several at a World Cup - it simply means more to me.
2) Time - World Cups tend to be during the school year when I either teach (2002-2005) or "learn" (19987-2002) and (2005 ----). WOCs tend to be in the summer.
3) $$$$ nuff said.
On that note anyone want to join me at the World Cup in Italy this fall? :)
- Boris
Yes! Actually I spent Saturday counting vacation days and I think Italy is doable in the balance.
Oh, and Gregory told me you are in Paris marrying Matthias this weekend. Is this true?
The biggest difference between me and olympic 100m runners is: I'm often slow and lost.
The length of the race is not really the issue for me. 15 mins or 90 mins makes no difference. Its the #. Plain and simple, 2 races doubles my odds of a result I'll be happy with for the next year of my life. If I run one race and run it poorly I'll be disappointed with myself for a long time - no matter how long that race is. And representing the US in a race (as opposed to just myself) makes this even harder. Training is hard. Improving is harder. Getting over disappointing races is hardest.
Boris married Matthias and Abi... but this is a sidetrack for this thread.
People always say that the french are more open-minded than we are. But marrying two orienteers?? Next thing you know, people will want to marry attack badgers or tall, seedy grasses.
The Canadian team almost had no single-event runners as she initially said no way. It took a lot of convincing to get her to change her mind.
MC - I think it is awesome that you are going, and hope that you have a great time, and a great run. Mikell got it right when he said that everyone has their own circumstances ... (some of us would be spending 'other people's money' with or without team sponsorship - our spouses money, our children's (college?) money)
And I think Eddie got it right when he says there is some responsibility when you represent your country (money or not): to do your best. So, for MC that means she has to promise not to do anything silly and to do everything she can to stay uninjured, healthy, and out of trouble in general!!! No rattlesnakes, no heat exhaustion, no broken necks from falling off cliffs ... and all those other things that seem to befall you MC! :-) Have a great time!
Thanks Kristin!
I am living in the Popemobile until WOC just in case... ;-)
This discussion thread is closed.