JAPAN – WOC 2005
Heat, Humidity and Hills (the three H’s) – that’s what will confront our competitors at WOC 2005 in Japan. The first-ever World Championships to be held in Japan, scheduled for August 7-14 in conjunction with the World Expo, will sorely test the physical strength and endurance of the world’s best orienteers. Heat, humidity and hills will require both physical and mental toughness to succeed. Summer in Aichi Prefecture sees maximum temperatures in the 27 – 35OC range with 60 – 94% relative humidity. Maintaining high levels of body fluids during competition will be extremely important.
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HIS will be a championships to remember for the world’s elite - a warm welcome and fine Japanese hospitality combined with terrain which will provide a major physical and technical challenge. Training camps in Japan have been well attended, and much has already been said and written about the skills needed to achieve success in terrain with steep slopes, often complex contours, and areas with ‘bamboo bush’ and prickly vegetation. National squads from many countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Britain and Australia have already spent time training in Japan. The Australians were there in March where they trained with the UK squad and took part in the All Japan Championships. Familiarisation with accommodation, local food and customs, as well as the Japanese terrain, are all important factors in preparing the squad for those vital days in August. Troy de Haas returned to Japan for another month of training after his success at the Aust 3-Days. Troy then went back to Finland for competition and to fine tune his training program. He will be back in Japan in July for at least two weeks of acclimatising to the summer conditions there.
Mt Fuji – Japan’s sacred mountain
14 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER JUNE 2005
Above: Japanese hills. Photo: Sara Thörn – Skogssport Below: Map of region around WOC2005 Event Centre
