Middle Distance WRE

Friday, 20 July 2007

The middle distance WRE event today bought hot weather again, but with more
tree cover and winning times of about 60 minutes it was much more pleasant.  
That is unless you were riding crosscountry (as is allowed here) down a big
slope and hit a hidden stump and do a somersault with pike, also breaking
one's mapboard. Besides this factor I'm still suffering jetlag and making
many mistakes, so can empathise with our trio who are still finding it hard
to adapt to the varied track mapping and density of tracks.

Maxim Zhurkin (Russian) won the men's in 57, while Alex was our best at 10th
(70 mins) and David S was further back.  Paul Darvo missed a control today,
so will pay by shouting us dinner when we next visit town.   Andy Conn (GB)
broke his seat today, but still finished 9th out of 38.  Michaela Gigon won
the women's course again (has been dominating) but only by a 1 minute margin
from a junior Russian girl, Anna Us...  The Estonians have gone home to race
in their national selection trials this weekend.     The competition has
certainly got stronger over the last 2 years and the depth of talent in the
guys is very impressive.   There are many juniors involved in MTBO over here
too, which is great for the future.

It is a lot of fun riding in these European forests though - something all
Aussie mtbo'ers should do at least once in a lifetime. The soft terrain
makes the landings a mite easier too!

We are living in a hotel in a holiday camp with numerous bungalows
surrounding it, with literally hundreds of Polish kids on summer camp.  
These kids are so active it makes us feel lazy They run and do aerobics
before breakfast and a military type program of activities keep them busy
all day long.  We had pasta with blueberries as a treat for tea tonight -
normally its just bread and cheese!  We have a half hour time slot for meals
and have an allocated table and any fraternisation with other tables is
frowned upon, as it upsets their organisation.

Long distance event tomorrow with courses of about 20 and 30 km for the elites.

Kay Haarsma

 

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A wrap Sunday, 12 August 2007 WOC is over and the team now heads it separate ways. Roll on the foot WOC team.
It's all over now Sunday, 12 August 2007 The wrap up begins...
For the Woodsie fans Saturday, 11 August 2007 Here is a photo and some other stuff about the long final.
Some photos from MTBO WOC so far Friday, 10 August 2007 A few pics of the Australian Team at the world champs.
Long distance qualification race Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Middle distance race Wednesday, 8 August 2007
My sprint race Tuesday, 7 August 2007 Paul's description of his sprint race.
Sprint race Tuesday, 7 August 2007 More from today
Alex 14th in WOC MBO Sprint! Monday, 6 August 2007 Alex Randall scored a brilliant 14th place in today's (Monday) was the WOC sprint race.
Monday morning 6 August Monday, 6 August 2007 Sprint race day
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A week in Czech Republic Sunday, 5 August 2007 Just a few bits and pieces from the past week.
Final training camp Saturday, 4 August 2007 The team is in the last day of the final training camp before moving into official WOC accommodation.
MTB WOC Bulletin 4 Friday, 3 August 2007
Blankso Wednesday, 1 August 2007 The team is training in Blansko, which is similar terrain to WOC.
So now to Poland and the team complete Tuesday, 31 July 2007 OK still more old news...but internet access is tough around here.
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Farewell to Ladek Zdroj Monday, 30 July 2007 The last race of the Euro meeting was a mass start 'one person relay'.
Polish Euro meeting - long distance Saturday, 28 July 2007
Polish Euro meeting middle distance Saturday, 28 July 2007
Ladek Zdroj - Euro meeting Saturday, 28 July 2007 Ladek Zdroj is one of the most famous spa towns in Poland.
World Cup Marathons Friday, 27 July 2007
The hardest map in the world? Thursday, 26 July 2007
More from Thorlene...this time from Zurich Wednesday, 25 July 2007 At last I have made it into the correct time zone.
Adventure racing in Canada (from Thorlene) Wednesday, 25 July 2007 Had fun and some decent training in the Raid Pulse, Quebec.
Of storks and Polish country roads Sunday, 22 July 2007
Aussie on the podium Sunday, 22 July 2007
Orienteering can be unforgiving Friday, 20 July 2007 Maps from the past two days races
Middle Distance WRE Friday, 20 July 2007
Training in Vermont Friday, 20 July 2007 Training in Vermont has been greener but no less challenging.
Rest days Thursday, 19 July 2007 Wednesday was a welcome rest day in the Polish 7 day.
Polish 7 day 2 and World Ranking Race Wednesday, 18 July 2007 Tuesday was the 2nd day of the Polish 7 day and an ultra long World Ranking Event
Polish 7 days - Day 1 Tuesday, 17 July 2007 The first day of the Polish 7 days had a sprint race in the morning and a relay in the afternoon.
Polish roads can be dangerous! Monday, 16 July 2007 Polish roads have many warning signs. Some of them rather unusual
Home again?! Sunday, 15 July 2007 One of the wonderful things about travelling is meeting people who go out of their way to make you feel at home.
Road trip Saturday, 14 July 2007 The European road trip has started.
Getting closer Saturday, 14 July 2007 Inching my way closer to the rest of the team.
The Aussies are coming! Thursday, 12 July 2007 The team starts to arrive today with Alex Randall reaching Prague this evening and others in Warsaw on the weekend.
Czech 5 day - the wrap Monday, 9 July 2007 The final day of the Czech 5 day was on Sunday in steep, rough terrain.
Training in Chicago pics Monday, 9 July 2007 Here are some pics...
Training in Chicago Sunday, 8 July 2007 Not quite the same as those Prague forests...
Czech MBO 5 days - Day 4 Sunday, 8 July 2007 Today's middle distance race was billed as a suburban forest, which meant lots of tracks and paths.
MTBO Sprint - Euro Style! Saturday, 7 July 2007
Its the little things Saturday, 7 July 2007
Czech MBO 5-Day Saturday, 7 July 2007 This week over 450 riders are competing in the Czech MBO 5-days near Pilsen.
Riding in Prague Wednesday, 4 July 2007 MTB riding around Prague is a joy on the extensive network of multi-use tracks.
Czech MBO 5-days in Pilsen starts Wednesday Monday, 2 July 2007 The Czech 5-day in Pilsen starts on Wednesday with over 450 riders entered.
World Ranking Events in Dresden Monday, 2 July 2007 Over the weekend Dresden MTBO Club held the latest round of World Ranking Events.
It is about the bike Thursday, 28 June 2007 One of the perils of travelling with a bike is that it doesn't always make it to the destination
NSW Time Trial Champs Monday, 25 June 2007 Paul Darvo scores 2nd place in the NSW individual time trial championships.
Team Uniform Sunday, 24 June 2007 Australian MTBO team uniform for 2007
Team training camp in Bendigo Saturday, 9 June 2007 Team members met in Bendigo this weekend for some technical training on some of the excellent local maps.
Race schedule released Friday, 25 May 2007
Official event website Thursday, 24 May 2007