What an exciting day. People running every where, wet cobble stones, possibility for collision. The sprint final had it all. The arena was the same as yesterday's qual but with a much more complicated start, run through and finish chute all in one.
Today Tash was off first and took the pressure well. She did unfortunately mp at the run through when her emit didn't register her punch :(
Krystal was off next and pushed hard all the way through the race. She was impressive through the spectator arena and finished well. Henry was next in the men and he too had an awesome run but said he was feeling tired. We are all super proud of all our sprinters today.
Tomorrow is the sprint relay, the most exciting race of the week, (what?? The long is not exciting?) the team will be Krystal, Henry, Simon and Tash. Go team!
Today was the sprint qual and the first race for WOC. The weather was not kind and at points it was pouring which meant for a very slippery course. Simon, Belinda and Brodie ran hard and only just missed out on the final. Congrats to Krystal, Henry and Tash who had amazing runs and finish in the top 15. Tash was actually equal 15th which was very nerve racking as we waited to see if she was in or not.
We also had the opening ceremony after the qualification where the Estonian president opened WOC officially. Austria was a no show so Bridget was offered the Austrian flag for the March because " you are like Austria, can you carry?".
Tomorrow the sprint final is in the afternoon so make sure you stay awake and cheer on the Aussies.
Krystal Tash and Henry
Stealing the signs for the teams that couldn't quite get to the March...
Tomorrow WOC begins and our sprinters are ready for the qualification. The race starts from 1pm with the girls running first and the boys after. Before WOC begins we would like to say a big thank you to all our supporters and people that helped us get to Estonia.
Athlete profile: Tash
Name: Natasha Key
Nick name: strapper, Tash
Age: 23
Number of wocs: 9
Disciplines: Sprint, sprint relay, long, relay
State of origin: On the border
Coffee or tea: coffee
Favourite orienteering map: 24 white ave beer-O
What do you do in your non-orienteering life?: prods and cups people with her extremities.
Arrival of the final bulletin for a World Championships is like awaiting the federal budget, there is a lot of hype beforehand and then once it's released no one really understands it and there are plenty of errors and omissions.
The 2017 edition has been characterised by the "Contour Interval Dilema", much to Bridget's frustration. In bulletin 3 the contour interval for the middle distance was 2.5m and hence the team had been training on similar maps. NEWSFLASH: Bulletin 4 states contour interval is 5m. Bridget was originally annoyed but being the resilient person she is decided to head out today and train on a 5m contour interval map. NEWSFLASH: There is a mistake in bulletin 4 and the contour interval is in fact 2.5m. Bridget was irate, feeling much like the child in this video, out of control in a foreign place. The only thing that could fix her rage was Craney buying her an ice cream, much like the operator who steadied the young child at the end of the video.
Anyway...moving on
Athlete profile: Matt Crane
Name: Matt Crane
Nick name: Craney
Age: 23;)
Number of wocs: 7
Disciplines: Long, Middle, Relay
State of origin: ACT
Coffee or tea?: coffee
Favourite orienteering map: there are some good ones in France..
What do you do in your non-orienteering life?: I look after a small human being and I think about Henry.
Favourite quote: The world is your lobster.
Why do you like orienteering?: because it is the only sport I am good at.
Today the Australians arrived at their WOC accommodation. We are staying at a house outside of the town of Puhja (poo jar) which is close to a number of competition maps. Our house includes two suanas, an outdoor eating area, disc golf and oversized showers.
We initiatiated our newest Australian to the team (Matt Crane) by making him place the Boomerang magnets onto the team cars. He seemed happy about it.
Today the team split up to do different training. Brodie, Henry and Belinda went sprint training in Otepaa. Bridget went running around the ski fields and Tash and Matt went Orienteering in the terrain.
Nick name: here are the various names people have given me in my life: biddy, chops, stumps, budgie, bridgo, tegdirb, bridgididge, Richard, Pricard, and birdshit.
Age: 28
Number of wocs: 2
Disciplines: middle
State of origin:South Australia
Coffee or tea?: coffee
Favourite orienteering map: cascades and kangaroo crossing
What do you do in your non-orienteering life?: I look after small children and laugh at their misconceptions behind their backs… in other words, a teacher. ALSO CATS!
Favourite quote: it's not that I must succeed, it's that everyone else should fail.
Why do you like orienteering?: the people but also the isolation from people, the travel, the thrill of finding something with no other ability but your brain and a map.
Hello again!
As it was St John's day in Estonia today we are going to introduce you to some of the quirky culture of Estonia.
On the 22nd of June Estonian people celebrate St John's eve which is like their midsummer celebration. Estonians light bonfires and drink till the wee hours of the morning. During these celebrations it is customary for people to jump the bonfires and make a wish. I would guess that most people would just wish to make it to the other side.
On this night people also head out into the forest to look for the elusive fern blossom which is suppose to bring good luck and fertility to those who find it. According to google no ferns flower, so that's probably why the Estonian population growth is slow.
Athlete profile!
Name: Brodie Nankervis
DJ name: Brodizzle
Age: 22
Number of wocs: 2
Disciplines: sprint qual and sprint final
State of origin: Tasweigen
Coffee or tea?: tea
Favourite orienteering map: Tinpot creek
What do you do in your non-orienteering life?: eat breakfast at traffic lights and prods other people with his extremities
Favourite quote: “but they were big beers”- MCK
Two truths, one lie: I don't like orienteering, I once pooed in the shower and I am a Physio.
