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. )
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