WTOC in Olomouc, Czech Republic

We have just got back from the Trail-O World Championship in Olomouc and while it was exhausting, it was also an exciting, exhilarating and fascinating adventure. The team (see picture) was made up of 3 paralympic and 3 Open (any ability) competitors and they have all done extremely well.

For a first attempt having a 10th place in the paralympic class and a 12th place in the Open class was excellent. It was such a joy watching the 6 of them gelling into a real team - watching, helping and looking after each other. Those with more experience were teaching the others and generally they were all having fun. Having worked years to have Trail-O accepted by the Hungarian orienteering establishment, these good results hopefully have gone a long way towards achieving that.

We also had a chance to look at the main event, the Foot-O WOC. We saw the Long Qualification races and even ran in one of the spectators' races that day. We also had a look at the Middle qualifiers, but as only one Hungarian made it into the final, we didn't wait for that one. Just as well, as the trip home was very uncomfortable with the 5th passanger in the car we had a lift in.

Finally, I don't wish to comment on the organisation of the Czech Hana SK, as I would like to keep the tone of this entry friendly. We will show them next year how to do it!! We also had a less than pleasant experience at the Clinic, but the less should be mentioned of that the better.

Apologies to my non-orienteering readers, but nothing else occurs to me at the moment. Except the fact that I did come back to an extremely pleasant surprise when examining my bank account. TP had paid my lump sum bang on the earliest day they could (1 day after my birthday) and now we know we can pay for the car and the wedding - the two major expenses of the year - rather than just hope we can! :-)