The Spring season really gets underway in Scandinavia this weekend with the Spring Cup in Denmark--though the weather can be anything but spring-like. Lots of the best clubs will be there. Since it's a short relay (just 4 legs for the Men) and since the terrain is so fast and continental, and since it's also so early in the season (a big disadvantage for clubs from snowier regions), it's not necessarily a good indicator of who will be strongest at the tougher relays that take place later. But, it is part of the Nordic4 relay series, and of course the best clubs tend to win no matter the circumstances. Last year, despite the contrarian indicator (namely, my presence!), IKHP was a mild surprise and won the Mens race. This year the IKHP women may present the stronger card, now that some of their best women have returned from child bearing breaks.

I think Farum (Men) and Halden (Women) are picked as favorites.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), March 30, 2001

Answers

There is a nice website in english for the Spring Cup 2001 that sort of indicates a "live speakning" (coverage?) of the events, although that particular link may not be established yet. Do we want to cover this thing live? It might be interesting, but not an easy thing to cover given the time of day.

A list of current local times for cities around the world shows Copenhagen currently 8 hours ahead of HST, but this will be 7 hours ahead of HDT, which those in the Homeland will see on Sunday sometime. Since the relay starts at 9:00am local time on the first, this is 1:00am HST next Sunday or 2:00am HDT.

We can chat on the forum, YM, or BL4. Anyone interested?

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), March 30, 2001.

I see that Richard Wren was 5th in H21E for the night sprint.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), March 30, 2001.

There is a very small chance that I'll check out the live coverage. But, I'm not certain it is worth staying up so late. I am, however, interested in the "live speakning."

R. Wren's result looks impressive. I think he is living in Finland to get ready for the WOC.

-- Michael (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), March 30, 2001.

At 9:22 (local time) the music is playing mildly, and it isn't raining. It's foggy and about 3 degrees Celsius, but the organizers are trying to put the best possible face on things by pointing out that it isn't raining or windy. (And to judge by last year, they are right to be glad for that.)

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), March 31, 2001.

The o' season in Sweden is about ready to get underway with a series of meets hosted by OK Orion!

First up is the 7-manna relay (4-dams for the women). First starts are at 21.00 Thursday in Sweden. The registration list looks good.

Next Sunday-Monday kicks off the Elite Series for 2001 with short and classic courses. The top 12 ranked men and top 13 ranked women in Sweden are in the startlist. It should be a good chance to see where people stand in this WOC year.

You can get a look at the training maps by following the Träningspaket link and looking at the OK Orion träningspaket 2001. It looks tough - low relief terrain!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), April 10, 2001.

7-manna is definitely one of the top relays. It'll be fun to see how it goes! (IKHP now has an agent posted down in Orion-land on a near permanent basis, the infamous "Vagnis" Matthias Karlsson.)

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), April 10, 2001.