Analysis of Micro-O at Norwegian Champs Middle

Some like Micro-O - some not. Micro-O is - however - not dead, even if it was not included in the WOC program for 2006. The World Cup Event at Hovden 22/6/2007 is planned as a middle distance with Micro-O, and strong forces within the orienteering movement are still working on further developing the Micro-O concept - either as a part of the middle distance as today, or as a part of other distances like the long distance or the relay.


Stig Alvestad was one of 8 men managing to run through the Mirco-O at the Norwegian Champs Middle without errors. This achievement gave him the silver medal.

No training - but important for outcome

Several of the Top-6 runners in the Norwegian Championships middle distance at Hovden this year admitted after the race that they had not done any specific micro-O related training before the championships. And close to nobody has run a competition with micro-O the last year. This may sound strange to the ones not closely familiar with norwegian orienteering and Micro-O in particular, as each penalty loop in the micro-O costs the runner about 20 seconds, and the Micro-O part of the competition had direct impact on the medals. Add to this that no women runners(!) managed to get through the Micro-O part of the course without penalty loops.

However, the fact that close to nobody has run competitions with Micro-O the last year is not strange - as there has been very few such competitions (some have been made for the youth categories in Norway, but there are few others that I am aware of). If the Micro-O concept shall survive, it is extremely important that the number of competitions with Micro-O is increased significantly. Special rules for some kind of "Micro-O light" which is easy to organize (Micro-O like it is defined today gives a large load for the organizers) should also be defined. Maybe with penalty of e.g. 20 seconds for each wrong control instead of penalty loops, and with no change of map scale for the Micro-O part.

Analysis of Micro-O results at Hovden

Only 8 men and no women managed to run through the Micro-O course without doing any errors. One of the men without penalties was the surprise silver medalist, Stig Alvestad. With one penalty round, he would have been out of the medals. Anders Nordberg won gold even with two penalty rounds. In the tables below you see the results summarized. It seems like the reason that no women managed to get through the Micro-O without errors is that the womens course is somewhat more difficult than the mens course. Note that in addition to taking the wrong micro controls, many runners did other mistakes in the micro part as well - such as route choice errors - as the micro part contained a lot of "real" orienteering also this time. You can see route choices of Jon Pedersen for the Micro-O part here, and Øystein Kvaal Østerbø for the Micro-O part here.

# Penalties Men Women
080
1208
21116
346
414
510

Rank Name Club Time Penalties
1 Marianne AndersenNydalens SK 32:50 +00:002
2 Anne Margrethe HauskenBaekkelagets SK 34:24 +01:342
3 Lene MoeNydalens SK 35:19 +02:292
4 Ingunn FristadHalden SK 35:43 +02:532
5 Hanne StaffBaekkelagets SK 35:46 +02:563
6 Birte RiddervoldNTNUI 36:23 +03:333
Rank Name Club Time Penalties
1 Anders NordbergBaekkelagets SK 31:51 +00:002
2 Stig AlvestadWing OK 32:11 +00:200
3 Holger Hott Johansen/td>Kristiansand OK 32:14 +00:231
4 Hans Gunnar OmdalOvrebo og Vindbjart Orientering 32:18 +00:271
5 Hans TroanNydalens SK 33:12 +01:211
6 Carl Waaler KaasNTNUI 33:30 +01:393

Analysis of Micro-O course at Hovden

One way to learn how to get a better Micro-O runner is to study previous Micro-O maps and courses - and to analyze where and how runners made errors in previous Micro-O courses. There are a number of Micro-O examples available at a special Micro-O page at the homepage of the Norwegian Orienteering Federation - showing maps and courses including false controls from NOC 2005 and a number of other competitions. Even more important than looking at maps and courses is to see where and how the competitors made errors. Below, an analysis is made for the mens and womens categories for the Micro-O part of the course at the Norwegian Championships Middle distance at Hovden. For each of the 6 controls, the percentage of the runners punching each of the controls is shown. The correct control is drawn in red for the women and blue for the men. Note that the men and women Micro-O courses are similar, but not equal. To see from which angle the runners came to each of the controls, see this map of the mens course:

Men

1. control
88% of the men took the correct first control. This is in contrast to the women, where only 41% found the correct first control (see further down on the page). The women control was, however, further down, such that the women passed three controls before they came to their control.

2. control
70% of the runners found the correct 2nd control. Somewhat better for the women (who had the same control here), where 79% did it right.

3. control
Running down a slope and surching for a stone among hundreds is not easy... 68% of the men did this correctly. In the womens class, the number was 52%, but the women control seems more difficult as the mens control is at two stones close together.

4. control
This was the most difficult one for the men - only 54% found the correct control. For the women, the corresponding figure is 64%, but this time the womens control seems easier, as this is a control which the runners get to earlier when taking the control from above.

5. control
79% for the men - 70% for the women. Both have the same control.

6. control
97% for the men - 73% for the women. The mens control seems to be easier than the mens control in this case, although the womens control is the only one which is at the south side of the path.

Women

1. control

2. control

3. control

4. control

5. control

6. control

WorldofXC.com - Athlete news from sister site for Cross Country Skiing
09.02 Robin Bryntesson

Dag 5.. Film?

Sista dagen på Baltic tour bestod av en jaktstart på 15 km i den klassiska stilen.Å jag stack ju ut som 18e man och jag tyckte att ja ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

09.02 Daniell Tynell

Optimerar planen…

Med rådande omständigheter, där magproblem som jag fick under Marcialonga har spökat den senaste tiden, väljer jag nu att göra en justering av ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

09.02 Anders Södergren

OS-uppladdning i Kanada

På grund av stränga OS-regler får inte Anders Södergren skriva egna krönikor på sin hemsida eftersom den är f ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Giorgio Di Centa

Ringraziamenti...

Carissimi amici sportivi, siete stati davvero in tantissimi a dimostrare il vostro affetto e la vostra soddisfazione per la mia recente prima vitto ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Kris Freeman

No More Hero Worship

I check fasterskier regularly because I love this sport and there are frequently informative updates and news on the website. Over the past few yea ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Anne Maria Nilsson

I OS byn!

Vi är på plats i en super fin och mysig OS by. Vi bor i ett helt nybyggt villa område i fina villor. Efter spelen kommer husen köpas av vanliga ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Marcus Hellner

Härligt liv på ön!

Allt går fint här på Vancuver Island! Vi har våra egna kockar Pelle och Jenny som fixar grymt käk åt oss. Nu till lunch serverades det till ex ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Aurore Cuinet

Suite des courses

Bonjour,Voici des nouvelles positives. Le test de fatigue est mieux, je récupère donc dans le bon sens. Cette semaine maura fait du bien car jaura ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Aurore Cuinet

VANCOUVER

Bonjour,Me voici arrivée à Vancouver, du moins à Whistler exactement.Cest ici quauront lieux les courses de ski de fond. Je vous donnerai plus de ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

08.02 Kristiana Strandberg

Marathon Weekend

I have a bit of a sore back at the moment. It happens after a weekend with two marathons back to bak. I figured I needed some long distance racing e ...
Read at WorldofXC.com

WoO Calendar and Omaps

Visit WorldofXC.com - Just like World of O, but for XC-skiing and Biathlon

Sponsored links

Search Orienteering Pages

Worldofo @ Twitter

Most read last 7 days

101 Orienteering Maps Sekotsuji (Mt. Fuji 富士山) (05.02 08:00) +24

World of O 3 Minutes Start Interval for WOC Long! (04.02 15:05) +23

Helena Jansson Jag har synat oss... (04.02 12:40) +5

Daniel Hubmann OL im Schnee (08.02 09:00) +6

Simone Niggli Kulinarische und andere Leckerbissen (07.02 14:00) +4

101 Orienteering Maps Les Bouzigasses (02.02 08:00) +37

Ines Brodmann Lanzarote-La Santa (07.02 22:00) +3

Jan Prochazka De-freezing (07.02 14:00) +1

OKansas - daily thoughts about O Tiny map...far, far away (03.02 23:00)

Matthias Müller mit eingefrorenen Fingern... (08.02 12:00) +1

Norwegian O-Federation Omorganisering på orienteringslandslaget (08.02 12:00)

Kim Fagerudd Viivi 1 år (06.02 08:00) +1

Jostein Andersen Rømte til fjells (07.02 18:49) +1

Swedish O-Federation Fair play, hängning och JVM-stjärna i nya Skogssport (05.02 08:00)

Minna Kauppi The wisdom of hindsight (29.01 12:00) +13

Holger&Sandy Hott this is our life (01.02 20:20) +3

Marte Renaas & Christian Hohl Maps from Bulgaria (03.02 14:00)

Swedish O-Federation Hängningsregeln skrotas internationellt (04.02 14:00) +3

Martin Hubmann Neuseeland - Reisen & OL (02.02 04:00) +10

Marte Renaas & Christian Hohl World cup victory! (03.02 14:33) +3

Andersson & Eliasson Lägerperiod avslutad (06.02 08:20) +2

Hanny Allston Run the Bridge - 10km, first place, and ouch! I`m stiff! (09.02 08:00)

Holidaymappers.eu Two more Italian maps for MOC 2008 added to archive (04.02 22:00) +1

Miguel Silva 1st long session at track / O`follow or not? (06.02 12:27) +1

Swedish O-Federation Nordiska mästerskapen läggs på is efter 2011 (05.02 12:00) +3

Sites included in 'World of O'
AUS
Australia National Team
Australian O-Federation
Hanny Allston

AUT
Austria Junior Team
Austrian O-Federation
Austrian O-Freaks
Erik Nilsson-Simkovics
Felix Breitschädel
Gernot Kerschbaumer
Henrik Sulz
Karin Leonhardt
Markus Lang
Markus Plohn
Martin Pongratz
Pierre Kaltenbacher
Sporty Talk
Thea Lillehov
Wolfgang Kampel

BEL
De Laatste Post
Fabien Pasquasy
Orienteering in Belgium

BUL
Ivan Sirakov
Ivo Danailov
Kiril Nikolov

CAN
Team Canada

CRO
Darko Duhovic

CZE
Czech O-Federation
Czech Orienteering Team
Dana Brozkova
Eva Jurenikova
FO-OT Zlin
Holidaymappers.eu
Jan Prochazka
Michal Smola
Thomas Dlabaja

DEN
Bobach.eu
Christian Christensen
Christian Nielsen
Danish Junior Team
Danish O-Federation
Faaborg OK Eliteteam
Mikkel Lund
O-Coach Kenneth Buch
Orientering.dk
Rasmus Søes
Rune Olsen
Tue Lassen

UK
British O-Federation
Chris Wright
Google News Search EN
Graham Gristwood
Helen Palmer
Maprunner
Marck Lockett: I need to train
Marte Renaas & Christian Hohl
Martin Dean
Matthew Crane
NOPESPORT
Orienteering England
Orienteering Sport Now
PWT.org
Rachael Elder
Scottish Orienteering Association
South Africa Junior Team
South Africa Orienteering Team
Ultimate Orienteering
woO-TV 2: Online Orienteering TV
woO-TV Prime: Online Orienteering TV
woO-TV: Jukola Video Competition

ESP
News-O from Spain
Spanish Bomb Kids

EST
Kirti Rebane
Lauri Sild
Markus Puusepp
Olle Kärner

FIN
Finnish O-Federation
Great Expectations
Jukola
Kalevan Rasti
Katri Lindeqvist
Kim Fagerudd
Mårten Boström
Mats Haldin
Minna Kauppi
Olli-Markus Taivainen
Pasi Ikonen
SuunnistusNet
Tuomo Mäkelä

FRA
Celine Dodin
Damien Renard
French Orienteering Federation
OZone
The Team - French O-news
Thierry Gueorgiou

GER
Christian Teich
Christoph Hofmeister
Esther Doetsch
German Junior Team
German O-Federation
Google News Search DE
Patrick Hofmeister
Planeta Radebeul News
Robert Krüger
Roman Schulte-Zurhausen
Torben Wendler

HKG
Choi W K Points O-Blog
Hong Kong O-Blog
Honk Kong Island Orienteering

HUN
Andras Szabo

INT
101 Orienteering Maps

IOF
International O-Federation
Ski-JWOC 2009
World Masters Orienteering Champs
World Orienteering Championships

IRL
Ireland National Team

ISR
Dan Chissick - Israel

ITA
Alessio Tenani
Emiliano Corona
Klaus Schgaguler
Manuel Negrello
Ski-O Blog Italy
Skodeg-o.com

LAT
European Orienteering Champs
Martins Sirmais
Orienteering in Latvia

LTU
Ski-o.lt
Team Lithuania

NOR
Øystein Kristiansen
@HOKBloggen - Twitter
@WorldofO - Twitter
Alfonssoon
Anders Nordberg
Anders Skarholt
Anders Tiltnes
Anne Margrethe Hausken
Askoy OL
Audun Bjerkreim Nilsen
Audun Weltzien
Bækkelaget SK Elite
Bedriftsorientering Hordaland
Bergen MTB-O Cup
Bergen Sprint Camp
Birte Riddervold
Bjørn Eriksen
Blodslitet
BSI Orientering
Carl Waaler Kaas
Christian Wiig Bøen
Dag Solberg
Fana Orientering
Fana Treningsblogg
Gøril Fristad
Germund Glesnes
Gneist Orientering
Gular sladder
Halden SK Elite
Haverstad.com
HOK Bloggen
Holger&Sandy Hott
Hordaland O-krets
Ingunn Fristad
Jørn Sundby
Jon Pedersen
Jonn Are Myhren
Jostein Andersen
Jostein Moe
Jørgen Rostrup
Kondis.no
Kristian Dalby
Kristiansand OK Elite
Lars Skjeset
Linnkas O-side
Marianne Andersen
Marianne Riddervold
Michael Sørensen
Naked Aas Boyz
NM uka Orientering
Nordhordland Orientering
Nordvestgaloppen 2008
Norsk Skiorientering
Norwegian O-Federation
NTNUI Elite
Nydalens Skiklub Elite
O-festivalen
Olav Lundanes
OPN.no
Orienteering Today
Orienteering.is
Per Harald H Johansen
preO.no
Ronnerdals O- og tur-blogg
Samnanger IL Orientering
Silje Ekroll Jahren
Stord Orientering
Team Kvåle
Tore Sandvik
tTime News
Varegg Orientering
Viking Orientering
Vitalturen
Voss Orientering
WOC 2006 Special Edition - World of O
woO-TV Norge: Online O-TV
World of O
Øystein Kvaal Østerbø
Øystein Sørensen

NZL
Maptalk.co.nz
New Zealand O-Federation
NZ JWOC Squad
NZ National League
NZ OSquad
Ross Morrison

POL
Polish Orienteering Federation
Wojciech Kowalski

POR
Maria Sá
Miguel Silva
Nelson Graca
Nuno Rebelo
O-Laranjitas
Portuguese Orienteering Blog
Tiago Romao

ROU
Zinca Iounut

RUS
Alexey Zotov
O-site.spb.ru
O-sport Russia
Ski WOC 2007

SLO
OK Azimut
Orienteering Online

SRB
Blazo Maksimovic
Dejan Avramovic
SPORTholic4EVER

SUI
Andreas Rüedlinger
Baptiste Rollier
Birgitte Grüniger
Christian Ott
Daniel Hubmann
David Schneider
Dominik Koch
Fabian Hertner
Go for WOC09
Ines Brodmann
Lea Müller
Marc Lauenstein
Martin Hubmann
Matthias Müller
Matthias Merz
OL Fachschrift, Switzerland
Rahel Friederich
Sara Gemperle
Simone Niggli
Ski-EOC
Swiss Orienteering
Swiss Ski-o Team
Thurgorienta.ch
Vroni König Salmi

SWE
10MILA
Albin Ridefelt
Alternativet.nu
Andersson & Eliasson
Anton Tynong
Asplövet goes H40
Champs Meeting
David Andersson
Emanuel Winblad
Emma Engstrand
Erik Holmberg
Fredrik Löwegren
Göran Winblad
Google News Search SE
Helena Jansson
Johan Modig
Johann Näsman
Kalle Dalin
Kart-Bosse
Katarina Svahn
Kontrakurs.se
Lena Eliasson
Linnea Gustafsson
LiU Orienteering
Marcus Millegård
Martin Johansson
Mats Troeng
MTB-O Sweden
O-Ringen
Orientering.se Webb-TV
Peter Öberg
RunOway - Route Choice Analysis
SkidObloggen
Swedish Champs
Swedish O-Federation
Testzone.se
World University Champs

UKR
Pavlo Ushkvarok
Ruslan Glebov

USA
OKansas - daily thoughts about O
Sandra Zurcher
Team USA