last month IOF had some discussion on the split WOC format.
See here:
http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12...
Here are the details
Middle distance qualification
-3 competitors per nation
- reigning World Champion, World Cup Champion, Regional Champions have
additional place in the qualification
-FOC supports 3 heats
-Council believes 1 competitor / nation should qualify for the final if one fulfils certain quality criteria
-One option under consideration is for 15 automatic qualifiers per heat, plus 1
competitor per nation not otherwise qualified providing they were within 100% of the heat winner. Other options may be considered.
Long distance qualification
-Nation based qualification quota system supported by Council
-Favoured solution by Council appears to be using combination of past WOC results and World Ranking List and possibly selected World Cup races (long distance)
-FOC’s quality objective is to exclude competitors who can’t finish in a reasonable
time
Additional Sprint WOC format
-Council has two possible formats shortlisted:
-knockout sprint and an urban middle distance
-Council asks for a deep analysis of the two preferred options to determine best solution for additional format e.g. technical issues, organisational issues, broadcast potential, media attractiveness, spectator attractiveness competitor attractiveness