JK2004 > Programme > The Elite Competition

Index

The Elite Competition

The members of the two orienteering associations, North West and East Midlands, the Graythwaite Estate, the British Orienteering Federation and the members of the JK2004 organisation wish to welcome the Elite competitors to our festival of competitions. JK2004 has been working hard for the last four years to provide the highest quality of event for all competitors with special efforts for the elite competitions. JK2004 is a World Ranking, UK Cup and Future Champions Cup event.

Index

Spectators should get a good view of the run-in on both individual days and be able to hear the commentary provided by Andy Monro. Unfortunately the topography of the area is not good for radio communications and mobile telephone signals are patchy, if non-existent. This has denied us getting information on the runners from the forest so a spectator control has been placed in full view of the arena on Day 2. This control is about 1km from the end of the elite courses and information will be fed to the commentary position from the control as the competitors punch. The races for the Elite competitors on Day 1 are Middle Distance format (previously known as a Short Race). For them it is short; for most of us it would be long enough!

The results of these races will decide the starting order for the Classic length races on Day 2 at Graythwaite Hall. The fastest runner on Day 1 will start last on Day 2. This is not quite "a chasing start", the start intervals will still be 3 minutes. The aim of this is to produce an exciting finale to the Elite individual races. Also the times of the last starts on each Elite course are being arranged to provide the other competitors, spectators and visitors with an exciting finale lasting for about an hour in the middle of the afternoon. The climax will be between 2.30pm and 3.30pm when the leaders and winners of the Elite classes should be passing the spectator control and entering the arena. The expected race finish times and last start times are detailed below. Race numbers are being worn by the Elite runners in the four classes, blue by the men and red by the women.

• Blue 1-100 for M21E Blue 101-199 for M20E
• Red 1-100 for W21E Red 101-199 for W20E

The fastest runner on Day 1 will start last on Day 2 and will wear number 1 in the 21E classes and 101 in the 20E classes This should help spectators identify the runners as they pass through the control visible from the arena.

The two winners of the senior classes at JK2003 were Jon Duncan and Heather Monro.

Jon is a member of the Senior Performance GBR Squad along with Dan Marston and Jamie Stevenson. The three gained a Bronze medal in the relays at WOC in 2003 and Jamie is currently World Sprint O Champion and ranked 5th in the world. Heather, with a world ranking of 13th, is another member of the Senior Performance squad with Sarah Rollins and Hannah Wooton.

Watch out for them as they emerge from the forest towards the end of their runs! Hopefully they will all be here in a full field with an international flavour.

Index

Start times will be allocated for Day 2 to produce a "finish window" of about an hour for the four Elite races.

• W20E last start at 13.30 leaders finish around 14.30
• M20E last start at 13.30 leaders finish around 14.45
• W21E last start at 14.00 leaders finish around 15.00
• M21E last start at 14.00 leaders finish around 15.30

Index

Race numbers are being worn by Elite competitors on Day 2 ONLY. The wearing of race numbers is compulsory. Elite competitors may collect their numbers at their start on Day 2, the Green Start. Therefore, please allow enough time to collect your number and attach it. Remember - start times cannot be altered. The race numbers will reflect the finish positions on Day 1.

Index

. . . and some thoughts from some of our elite runners . . .

1) Are you excited about racing on Graythwaite again? If so, why?
I have never orienteered on Graythwaite before but I have seen the map and it looks great.  I love racing in typical lakes forests so the JK should be cool.

2) Who are your main individual rivals or club (relays) at the JK?
I'll be watching out for Fiona, Alison and Liz and if any of the 18s run up it could be a good race.

3) What are your main goals for this season 2004?
I am aiming to really improve my orienteering.  I have no specific aims for competitions but obviously I want to do as well as I can in everything.

4) What do you consider your best result ever?
15th place in the JWOC short race last year, and my run on the last day of O-Ringen 2003.

5) Is this good preparation for the World Cup 2005 in England?
It is probably not the most relevant competition but all the races you compete in help you do better in the next one.

Index

1) Are you excited about racing on Graythwaite again? If so, why?
Nice technical Lake District terrain and it will definitely be sunny!

2) Who are your main individual rivals or club (relays) at the JK?
Lots of people could run well either day. I hope FVO can beat SYO and INT in the relays!!!

3) What are your main goals for this season 2004?
European and world champs success.

4) What do you consider your best result ever?
21st place in WOC 2003 sprint distance.

5) Is this good preparation for the world cup 2005 in England?
Best preparation for these races is in the south, like National Event 1.

Index

1) Are you excited about racing on Graythwaite again? If so, why?
Yes! Graythwaite is a fantastic area, great for testing all your skills.

2) Who are your main individual rivals or club (relays) at the JK?
There are a lot of good girls in the elite group at the moment which is wonderful for competition. Obviously Heather Monro would be the one to beat but I'll be concentrating on my own race. As for the relays, SYO 2nd team is our main rival. Only kidding! Edinburgh and Sheffield uni's both have good women's teams but I think SYO's new recruits should be putting up a formidable performance.

3) What are your main goals for this season 2004?
My main aim this year is a top 20 at WOC in Sweden. I'm gearing my year around this competition in September.

4) What do you consider your best result ever?
World Cup 1998, Slovakia: 17th in middle race, World Cup 2000, Australia: 22nd in middle race

5) Is this good preparation for the World Cup 2005 in England?
The terrain is very different but there are definitely positive things to take away for the 2005 races. Any racing in front of 'home crowds' is good experience. It's easy to become complacent about racing in GB so competing against the best of British talent is good.

Index