Discussion: IOF seeking feedback on future of JWOC
in: Orienteering; General
Jun 22, 2014 7:55 AM
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The IOF is seeking feedback on the future of JWOC - you can post it here or send it directly to Aron as detailed below. (I'll be involved with the working group myself; our initial discussions will be at WOC, so don't lose too much sleep over the notional 23 June date).
From http://orienteering.org/junior-world-championships...
The IOF Foot Orienteering Commission (FOC) was asked earlier this year by the IOF Council to further develop the programme of the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC). The project group’s report should be presented to the Council by October 2014. Introduction of a possible new programme should take place by 2018 at the latest.
Áron Less, as the FOC member responsible for JWOCs, is commissioned to form a project group to perform this task. The project group will be formed of former JWOC participants (current elite athletes), junior and senior coaches, past and future JWOC organisers, and other experts.
At the first stage, we are making an open call for ideas from different stakeholders. Any ideas from Federations, coaches, competitors, media, former and future organisers and everyone else interested are particularly welcome.
Please write an informal letter to Áron Less (aronless (at) gmail.com) by 23rd June about any ideas you have for developing the Junior World Orienteering Championships (any aspect of it).
The project group will then shortlist the most viable ideas and the Federations’ official opinion will be requested. A very important stage of the hearing process will be a presentation of the ideas during JWOC 2014 for the national team coaches.
From http://orienteering.org/junior-world-championships...
The IOF Foot Orienteering Commission (FOC) was asked earlier this year by the IOF Council to further develop the programme of the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC). The project group’s report should be presented to the Council by October 2014. Introduction of a possible new programme should take place by 2018 at the latest.
Áron Less, as the FOC member responsible for JWOCs, is commissioned to form a project group to perform this task. The project group will be formed of former JWOC participants (current elite athletes), junior and senior coaches, past and future JWOC organisers, and other experts.
At the first stage, we are making an open call for ideas from different stakeholders. Any ideas from Federations, coaches, competitors, media, former and future organisers and everyone else interested are particularly welcome.
Please write an informal letter to Áron Less (aronless (at) gmail.com) by 23rd June about any ideas you have for developing the Junior World Orienteering Championships (any aspect of it).
The project group will then shortlist the most viable ideas and the Federations’ official opinion will be requested. A very important stage of the hearing process will be a presentation of the ideas during JWOC 2014 for the national team coaches.
Jun 22, 2014 9:47 AM
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My first thought:
What exactly is the problem you're trying to solve here? Do we need to "further develop" a concept that I hardly ever hear any complaints about? A championship programme is not something that needs to be changed every ten years just to stay attractive...
What exactly is the problem you're trying to solve here? Do we need to "further develop" a concept that I hardly ever hear any complaints about? A championship programme is not something that needs to be changed every ten years just to stay attractive...
Jun 22, 2014 10:10 AM
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The two main items which seem to be points of discussion are:
- should a sprint relay be introduced to the program? If so, what else (if anything) should change to accommodate it?
- does the current long distance day take too long (with current numbers, the start list extends over 5-6 hours)? If so, how should numbers be reduced? (smaller set number for each team? some kind of qualification?).
- should a sprint relay be introduced to the program? If so, what else (if anything) should change to accommodate it?
- does the current long distance day take too long (with current numbers, the start list extends over 5-6 hours)? If so, how should numbers be reduced? (smaller set number for each team? some kind of qualification?).
Jun 22, 2014 1:30 PM
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I vote for a Sprint-Relay banquet in addition to the current Classic (Long?) one.
Jun 22, 2014 6:23 PM
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The two main items...
Beside the main focus on harmonization of the program with the WOC, what are other items which are open for a discussion? What about side events, like a development clinic for national coaches or IOF training camp after the JWOC or similar ideas. A clear information how Council or FOC see this would be a good starting point. It should be an important aspect of JWOC development project.
Beside the main focus on harmonization of the program with the WOC, what are other items which are open for a discussion? What about side events, like a development clinic for national coaches or IOF training camp after the JWOC or similar ideas. A clear information how Council or FOC see this would be a good starting point. It should be an important aspect of JWOC development project.
Jun 22, 2014 10:07 PM
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Just curious: why is the JWOC middle distance a 25min winning time (same as old short-distance) when all the other middle competitions have gone to 35mins?
Jun 23, 2014 12:52 AM
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IOF changed the WOC program primarily to suit TV - well, at least that is the best conclusion I can reach after reviewing the discussions - for example http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp/me...
To paraphrase - In particular the length of the start list was the concern - a TV show is probably 1-2 hours in length therefore to see the winners you have to cut the start list down so that the winners finish during TV coverage.
Surely this is not an issue at JWOC?
To paraphrase - In particular the length of the start list was the concern - a TV show is probably 1-2 hours in length therefore to see the winners you have to cut the start list down so that the winners finish during TV coverage.
Surely this is not an issue at JWOC?
Jun 23, 2014 1:18 AM
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TV broadcast windows aren't usually an issue at JWOC, but with the long distance stretching over a 7-hour day, there have been a number of occasions in recent years when late starters have run in very different conditions to early starters, which potentially raises fairness issues.
At the moment, anything is open for discussion, so all ideas are welcome.
At the moment, anything is open for discussion, so all ideas are welcome.
Jun 23, 2014 1:55 AM
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As a parent of JWOC competitors spanning the last 6 years I will say that I really like the format where every competitor gets to run in every race. Well, they don't all get into the A-final but there are the B & C finals so they at least get to compete.
From my perspective, this is a huge benefit of JWOC over WOC where a competitor might only get to run one race.
I understand the fairness issue of the long start window. I was at Passe Rollo at the Italian JWOC Long in 2009 when early and late starters had decent weather while those in the middle got to experience a torrential downpour, cold temps, hail and strong winds. It certainly wasn't "fair" but still, I think it's better to let them all compete than to limit the numbers.
Of course, all things change, so when the format for JWOC does change, I really hope they keep the concept that every competitor gets to run in every event.
From my perspective, this is a huge benefit of JWOC over WOC where a competitor might only get to run one race.
I understand the fairness issue of the long start window. I was at Passe Rollo at the Italian JWOC Long in 2009 when early and late starters had decent weather while those in the middle got to experience a torrential downpour, cold temps, hail and strong winds. It certainly wasn't "fair" but still, I think it's better to let them all compete than to limit the numbers.
Of course, all things change, so when the format for JWOC does change, I really hope they keep the concept that every competitor gets to run in every event.
Jun 23, 2014 6:57 AM
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I really hope they keep the concept that every competitor gets to run in every event.
If they will put another event into the program (most probably they will - mixed relay) than you get 6x races in 6 days with no other changes. Every runner should be allowed to run max. 5x races which is already a lot from a competitive and medical/physical perspective. Some runners might want to run all but this shouldn't be a runner's or coach decision. If we know where is a recommended limit than we should put this limit into the rules.
I'd suggest to change middle B/C final into LongQ. Best 60 (MiddleF) and best 20 from qualifier get into LongF.
1. Mixed Relay
2. Sprint Final
3. Middle Qualification
4. Middle A/B/C final or (Middle A final and Long Qualification)
5. Long Final
6. Relay
If they will put another event into the program (most probably they will - mixed relay) than you get 6x races in 6 days with no other changes. Every runner should be allowed to run max. 5x races which is already a lot from a competitive and medical/physical perspective. Some runners might want to run all but this shouldn't be a runner's or coach decision. If we know where is a recommended limit than we should put this limit into the rules.
I'd suggest to change middle B/C final into LongQ. Best 60 (MiddleF) and best 20 from qualifier get into LongF.
1. Mixed Relay
2. Sprint Final
3. Middle Qualification
4. Middle A/B/C final or (Middle A final and Long Qualification)
5. Long Final
6. Relay
Jun 23, 2014 10:53 PM
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IanW:
Seems strange to be worried about the length of the long distance day at JWOC, given the change at WOC (with the removal of qualis) will result in a similar situation...
This discussion thread is closed.