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Controller’s Report – Terry O’Brien, STAG.
My sincere congratulations and thanks to the main architects of SC 2007 -Dougie, Pat, Blair & Steve - for making my job an enjoyable and almost stress free experience.
Individual Championships
For those unfamiliar with BOF National Guidelines for Championship Events, the length of M21E Course is decided first and from this information the length of the remaining 16 Courses are formulated based on a % of the M21L Course Length (100%) with M21E being rated as 120%.
The courses were all within a few % of the guidelines but, as Blair explains in his report, having 3 distinct zones of differing runnability within the competition seems to have meant that going with these % in themselves that the courses with the “better” runnability were a little short in distance and the winning times a little below expectations.
Otherwise the feedback we received was mostly positive and appreciative of the work involved.
Relay Championships
Great assembly area, pity about the hill! This was an issue that Steve & I tried to resolve but eventually felt there wasn’t any real alternative and the way the majority of orienteers coped was admirable to see.
The area itself was technically challenging & the highly runnably and made for a fine competition.
May I offer my sincere thanks to all the members from the West Area Clubs who helped bring in the controls after the event. Your help was invaluable.
SOC Individual
Planner’s Report
I think that most competitors discovered that Craigengillan presented a better challenge than it had seemed two years ago when the SOL was held there in the Autumn. The toughness that a summer’s growth gives to the area took away from its quality and was the main talking point after the event.
There is little doubt that the areas of marsh are tough but the raised areas between these provides for fast running and in many cases added route choice.
The area divides into three with everyone using the new part of the map to complete their courses. This wooded area provided a good contrast to the open moor and looking at routegadget shows how this caught many out.
The southern area is only reached by long relatively featureless legs and was therefore only used by the longest courses.
The middle section above the main start is the best part of the area and with a high start point this reduced the climb required to enjoy this well contoured part of the map. If you had time I am sure that you would also have enjoyed the views over Loch Doon and the Galloway hills.
Thank-you to everyone who took the time to comment on the courses. Almost everyone was very positive, even those who went out late in the heavy downpour!
I have certainly taken on board the other points raised.
Thanks also to everyone who helped to bring in the controls after their runs. The area is very “physical” to plan on and your help in clearing the area ready for the relays by 7pm was much appreciated.
Dougie, Pat and the other Ayroc members also deserve a lot of praise for the work that went into the biggest week-end of orienteering that Ayrshire has ever seen.
Last, but certainly not least, my thanks to Terry who certainly went well beyond normal Controlling duties on a number of occasions to keep me on schedule.
Blair
Scottish Relays 2007.
Planner’s Report
I’ll start by apologising for the steep climb from the start; I looked at many ways of getting out of the changeover field but finally came to the conclusion that there was no easy way so opted for the short and steep route. I hope it didn’t cause too much distress to anyone, it certainly provided a good bit of entertainment to those looking on.
This was my first attempt at planning a relay and it certainly presented a lot of different challenges non-more so than sorting out the various gaffles. I don’t think I got it quite right on some courses but most seemed to produce some close racing – I hope you all enjoyed your race.
Many thanks to Terry for being a relaxed but very competent controller, thanks also to Dougie and Pat for working so tirelessly.
Steve Barrett
Forth Valley Orienteers
Organiser’s Report
Just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming along to support our event and thank all my West Area Orienteering team leaders and club helpers on both days for their help.Without their help and support it would have been very difficult to put on a very successful operation. Also thanks to the computer team for their hard work getting the results out very quickly. Also thanks to the Controller and the two Planners for their help over the months leading up to the event. Last but not least to the owners Mark Gibson and Alastair Gavin thanks for letting us use the estate, which I am sure you will agree was a beautiful setting for the event. I hope you enjoyed the views.
P.S. I hope you appreciated the value for money. (Levies cost more than £3 per adult, Oentries/Paypal and toilets added £2.20 each). Because of the large entry we will finish with a small surplus.
Dougie Condy AYROC
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