The 2001 International MTBO Masters Shield

Masters Competition at MTBO World Cup Events

The IOF MTB-O Committee is assisting the introduction of an open Masters (M/W 40+) 
competition to run alongside agreed 2001 MTB-O WC events.

Rationale.

1. MTB-O WC competitions currently attract fairly small entries, and it is considered 
that the introduction of a Masters competition would increase competitor numbers 
significantly, leading to greater financial event viability.

2. There is a significant demand for Masters classes and competitions in most countries 
which have an established MTB-O calender.

3. The Masters age group often have greater flexibility to be able to take leave from 
work, and have a greater likelihood of being able to fund their own travel and 
accommodation.

4. There is a potential for sharing transport costs with WC teams, which will make cost 
savings for Federations competing in the WC series.

5. It is likely that the competition will eventually mature into an IOF Masters MTB-O WOC.

Proposed Format.

1. The competition will be open in nature - the competitors entering as individuals, and 
not as representatives of their country. 

2. Competitors may  send entries direct to organisers, or via Federation team managers.
Entry fees to be similar to WC entry fees.

2. Competitions will run alongside the current MTB-O WC events and will use courses based 
on WC control sites.
On WC relay events, Masters will ride an appropriate leg as a sprint course.
Courses to be designed to provide similar winning times to those of WC riders.

3. Age classes to be M40, W 40, M50, W50. 

4. The programme will be based on the 2001 MTB-O World Cup rounds:
July 30th and August 1st      Tampere, Finland        (2 events)
September 15th to 17th  Mieming, Innsbruck, Austria   (3 events)
September 21st to 23rd        Vezprem, Hungary        (3 events)
November 2nd to 4th           Vaucluse, S France      (3 events)
The best 6 events from 11 will count.

5. The scoring system to be the same as in WC individual rounds - ie the best 35 scores in 
each class to be awarded points.
In the event of a tie in the final overall placings, the following tie break will be used:
i. The better  result where any tied competitors have raced against each other.
ii. The best three results only of any tied competitor shall be compared. The better 
result shall be that in which the mean of his/her times are compared with the best other 
two competitors in his / her class in those events. 
All other rules, where appropriate,  to follow the principles set out in the IOF  MTB-O 
Rules.

6. Prizes to be simple, and awarded to the first three in each class in each event. 
Shields or medals to be awarded to to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing in each class.

Colin Palmer.  31.1 2001.
Secretary, IOF MTBO Committee