Veterans in Russian Heat Wave
Report by Kyosti Saksman, Finland

      The 1995 Veteran World Cup took place close to Lembolovo City, about
60 km north of St.Petersburg.  There were nearly 1,500 competitors from 24
nations.  The most entries were from Russia (465) followed by Scandinavian
countries :  Finland  (393),  Sweden  (208)  and  Norway  (168). Visitors,
including family members, made the total much higher.                     

      Lembolovo was an area of fighting in the Second World War  and  ever
in 1995 old trenches, tank barriers, dug-outs  and  barbed wire were still
to be seen.                                                               


Pleasant Terrain

      The terrain was very pleasant and easy to run in,  and - unlike most
Scandinavian forests - almost without stones.  It  was  mostly  coniferous
forest with a lot of ridges and depressions. In  several  areas  there was
a  complex  network  of  roads  and  paths.  The  weather  throughout  the
competition period was hot - almost 30 Celsius.                           

      The  qualifying  competitions   became  very  exciting  because  the
training area was easy  and many peple were under the impression  that the
other areas would be the same.  In fact  the two qualification areas  were
more difficult and required care with navigation.  Many favourites amongst
the competitors were unsuccessful and failed to reach the A Final.        


Good Organization

      Organization of the meeting went well  and  it  is  noteworthy  that
Russia has returned to full use of the international orienteering family's
rules.  In this event  an important job was done by  the  IOF  Controller,
Tuomo Peltola from Finland,  who  decided  on  the  international  way  in
several matters where there were differences of opinion.                  

      The  organization   during  the  competitions,  activities  such  as
participants' registration,  result service,  map reclaim  and  ceremonies
went very well. The prize-giving ceremony  especially  was  a very festive
occasion. In addition to the medals,  winners  were rewarded  with a vase,
a compass and a diploma.                                                  

      The Veteran World Cup is an important, interesting and unforgettable
occasion  and participants can meet friends from many countries  and  have
the chance to compare their condition  with that of their old rivals on an
annual basis. Most veterans  at this event  have already planned  to go to
next years's, in Murcia in Spain ( 8-12 April ).                          


Event Personalities

      Just two of last year's winners  in  Scotland  won again this year :
Erkki Luntamo in M80  and  Arthur Lindkvist,  moving  up  from M85 to M90.
After being forced to retire last year,  Katarina Paananen  was successful
this year in W90,  but  needed  an  almost  3-hour  stay  in the forest to
achieve her winner's medal.                                               

      Erik Engebraaten made it to the top at last in M55 after coming 3-rd
in Tasmania in 1992  and 2-nd in 1990,  both as an M50.  The 1990 event in
Hungary  also saw placing for W75 winner Gertrud Andersson  ( then 2-nd in
W70 )  and W70 victor Anna Nilsson  ( then 3-rd in W65 ).                 


                         ( "Orienteering World", 1995, No.4 - July )      

                          ( There are also some photos by Lennart         
                            Levin, Sweden  and  winners' results. )