Firstly, I would like to offer a wholehearted apology for the error that caused us to void the relay result and, by consequence, the overall Veterans Home International 2011 event. Quite simply, we made a labelling error for the all of the 2 Women + 1 Man category courses, i.e. on 4 of the 8 Courses. This resulted in competitors being given the wrong length courses for their legs, which meant that many senior veterans were sent out on much longer courses than anticipated, which after their efforts to conquer Birsemore Hill yesterday was, I’m sure, less than welcome. There was also confusion for later leg runners, who also had to run out of class and, no doubt, a severe feeling of let-down. The fact that this problem was greeted with such grace, forbearance and, amazingly, sympathy from competitors was truly humbling. I can’t say how grateful we all are for your responses, especially as I know of the long lengths many people went to to come and represent their country.
Following consultation, the Team Managers agreed that the preferred option was to not to attempt to declare a result on the basis of the remaining classes and as a result, there are no 2011 Relay, Overall or Stonewall Trophy Winners. It was felt that the extent of the voided courses was such that any result would not be fair. If the courses voided had crossed both categories, there may have been a case for declaring a result.
We will publish the results of the ‘valid’ relay courses and attempt to reconstruct the splits of those who ran on the wrong course so that we can provide a set of results by gaffle.
I hope you all enjoyed the Individual Event, narrowly won by England, the social evening in Ballater, that the problems on the Relay did not ruin your weekend and that at least some of you enjoyed running around what is a beautiful forest on courses that attracted praise from the competitors.
I’d like to record my thanks to all of the Team from Grampian and Mar Orienteering clubs that put the events together for their hard work and commitment as well as the landowners and the staff at the Lodge on the Loch.
Once again, please accept my apologies and I wish you all luck if you are selected next year.
Regards,
Pete Lawrence
2011 Veterans Home International Coordinator
09/10/11_VHI_Relays_Coull_2M+W_Results VHI_2M+W_relay_points
09/10/11_VHI_Relays_Coull_2M+W_Splits_by_gaffle
Splits for unaffected S and L course runners plus times for affected runners:
09/10/11_VHI_Relays_Coull_2W+M_Splits by_gaffle
GRAMPIAN ORIENTEERS 