Why go to an A meet?
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Topic created by kathyu on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 9:51 pmAt Mt. Penn, a couple of people asked "Why go to the A meet in November? It seems expensive and it's far away. And it's a whole weekend." Well, if you haven't enjoyed an A meet, you've got to see what you're missing. The first time I pinned on a bib number (in my entire life) was at an A meet, and it was a true Moment for me (with a capital M). So how about it, DVOA, what's so great about an A meet?
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Reply by Sandy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 9:28 amOne big reason to go to an A meet is that the map is a new map and no one has a "home field" advantage. Everyone will be seeing the map for the first time when they turn it over after punching the start box. And since it's a new map, it's up-to-date - no new rootstocks to confuse you, no new trails, the vegetation hasn't changed, it's all just the way the map says it is.
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Reply by edscott on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 11:03 am...and the courses have been checked and rechecked. All have been approved by two and probably more people so the basic design is good, the controls are all in the right place, and as Sandy has already mentioned; the map is either a brand new area or an older, but remapped, venue. A Event courses are often planned a year in advance so the course setter sees the terrain in the same vegetation condition, then finalized a month or more before the event.Local event courses often have less quality control due to a number of factors.. time, number of volunteers, experience level of course setters, ....To use my recent Mt Penn courses as an example: Since the use of the fire tower area wasn't confirmed until about a week before the event, I did the initial desk top course planning one night, hung the ribbons the next day.. moving two controls just a bit from the desktop plan, and headed off to Fred Kruesi's the next day to deliver the master maps for printing. If you look at Red and Green I should have reversed the two controls at the east "turn around" leg to allow more route choices and probably made some other more minor adjustments. Had I put the courses away for a day or so and then looked at them again I would have probably seen that option and had better courses. Also, who on Yellow realized that one control was hung in the wrong place? No one complained, but two people noticed. One advanced runner that ran it for extra exercise and the volunteer that picked it up at the end of the day.
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Reply by DaveUrban on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 7:54 pmThere are many things I like about an A meet. I like watching/being around world class orienteerers. I can
participate in the same event as US champions! -
Reply by furlong47 on Fri Oct 22, 2010 at 9:09 amI go to A-meets to orienteer in different types of terrain and see beautiful new places. Often the maps at A-meets are world class terrain that you might not have locally. As others mentioned, the map is new or updated and the courses are usually top notch. There is the additional bonus of visiting other states and towns that I might not otherwise see and getting to check out local restaurants and attractions. I usually take an extra day off of work to travel or run in a third event, so every A-meet is like a mini vacation.
At A-meets you will meet new people from all over the country and even the world, and they all share the love of orienteering with you so there is instantly something to talk about!
And anyone can compete, even in championships. There are no qualifiers so you can enter and go head to head with the best, or you can just set personal goals and shoot for those. Who knows, you might even go home with an award or a new accomplishment. You will certainly go home with fun stories to share. -
Reply by Sandy on Fri Oct 22, 2010 at 9:26 amWe will be trying to enhance that social experience at Hickory Run Rocks by having music and announcing at the finish area. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate!
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Reply by Orienteeringmom on Fri Oct 22, 2010 at 6:05 pmTo also enhance the evening after a great day of orienteering the US Teams are offering two different types of entertainment as fundraisers for their teams. The Senior Team is putting together a Wine and Cheese social at the Event Center saturday evening 4:30 to 6:30 in the meeting room with the cost at $8.00 a person. So come out and discuss your course from saturday while enjoying a glass of wine and cheese and crackers before going to dinner. OR
The Junior team is taking over the meeting room at 7PM for a night of games and fun. Bring your favorite board or card game to share or teach to others and have a great time together with your family and friends. The Game night is from 7PM to about 9PM with the juniors providing some cider and snacks for everyone's enjoyment. The cost is $3.00 a person or $8.00 for a family of 4.
Just a reminder that we gain a hour of sleep this night so playing games until 9PM is like playing to 8PM so every one can have some fun and still get plenty of sleep.
The senior team would like for interested person to contact Janet Porter at djporter2@verizon.net by November 2 to reserve a spot at the Wine social and so that enough Wine and cheese can be purchased. -
Reply by j-man on Sun Oct 24, 2010 at 10:30 pmParticipating in an A-meet, like the upcoming one at Hickory Run, is like playing at Augusta National. A whole lot of attention is dedicated to ensuring that the technical aspects of what you experience are as appropriate and well-executed as possible.
If you like golf, that would be a great experience, and worth some travel, some extra $s, and a little extra time dedicated to enjoy it. -
Reply by Sswede on Mon Oct 25, 2010 at 2:45 pmI enjoy running the quality courses and seeing how I stack up (or don't!) against others in my age group. I also like the social aspect of an A meet, and meeting people I don't tend to see at local events.
