Ori-Precision (Trail-O)

Precision Orienteering (Trail-O) at POM

For the first time, Portugal 'O' Meeting will provide orientation meant to everyone, the Precision Orienteering.

What is the Precision Orientation (Trail-O)?

Trail Orienteering is a sport involving map and terrain interpretation. Competitors visit the control points marked in the terrain usually in a pre-defined sequence. Using the map provided, with the aid of a compass, they choose from a number of markers the one that best represents the control description. The decision shall be recorded.

The mode of movement may be:

• on foot

• by wheelchair, either manual or electric

• on bicycle, tricycle or handcycle

• other modes, any recognised mobility aid.

No combustion-engine vehicle, or any battery driven vehicle designed for more than one occupant are permitted.

Restricted areas and routes

All terrain outside of the tracks (trails) in the competition area are out-of-bound unless otherwise indicated in the information marked on the map and, where necessary, marked on the ground. Additionally, some normally permitted routes and areas may be declared out of bounds, as described in the information and, where necessary, marked on the map and the ground. Competitors who deliberately enter a forbidden area will be disqualified.

Control descriptions

The precise location of the control point in the terrain shall be correctly defined by the centre of the circle on the map and by the control description. The control description will be in the form of symbols in accordance with the IOF Control Descriptions.

The column B has the number of control markers from each cluster, indicated by letters (e.g. A-E for 5 markers).

When necessary, indication of the approximate direction to view a control cluster shall be placed in column H of the control description, using a standard compass direction arrow.

The control description, showing the correct order of each competitor’s course, will be printed on the front side of the competition map.

Control Point

The control point given on the map shall be clearly marked on the ground by a cluster of control markers in the vicinity of the circle.

The control markers shall be hung so that they are all visible (at least one third of any marker) to competitors from the vicinity of the decision point. Only one marker is positioned at the feature at the centre of the circle on the map and correctly described, except in the Difficult class competitions where it is permitted that no marker is allocated.

The control markers shall be hung at a standard height in any cluster.

A decision point will be marked in the terrain along the route, but not shown on the map.

Control markers are designated from left to right, regardless of depth of view, ‘A’, ‘B’...'E’ from a decision point. The decision as to which marker is which is made from this point.

Control cards and marking devices

Traditional control card will be used as punching system.

At the finish, the competitor has to give the control card to the organization responsible person.

The punch system will be located at each decision point.

Competitors shall record their choice at each control before moving on to the next Control.

Competitors are responsible for the correct recording of their choice, whether doing so themselves or through an intermediary.

Any control with more than one selection recorded is deemed to be incorrect.

No change in recorded selection is allowed.

Competitors who lose their control card will be disqualified.

Equipment

The choice of clothing and footwear shall be free.

During the competition the navigational aids that competitors may use are only the map, the control descriptions provided by the organisation and a compass.

No mechanical or electronic aids, other than an odometer and a watch are allowed.

Telecommunication equipment may not be used in the competition area, except in an emergency by marshals. Any other use of telecommunication equipment during the competition period may result in disqualification of the competitor and team.

Start

Competitors should come to the start, according to their start time.

Competitors will be called by their names.

The point where the orientation course begins is shown on the map by the start triangle and marked in the terrain by a flag.

Finish

The competition ends for a competitor after crossing the finish line.

The time taken by the competitor over the timed section(s) of the course is not relevant to the competition result.

After crossing the finish line, the competitor has to give the control card to the organization responsible person.

The maximum time for each course is 2 hours.

Map and Terrain
The used map is the Figueira da Foz Camping. At this map, predominance of relief details exists, with higher incidence of steeps.
The map is at 1/2000 scale with 2.5 m contour interval and at ISSOM rules.

Courses

There are two courses, Easy and Difficult, where you should do your entry according to your experience in the sport. The difference between the courses does not reflect a difference of distance or number of controls, but a significant difference in the difficulty of the courses by the interpretation of the map/terrain.

The IOF rules for Trail-O courses will be followed.

The distance of the route is calculated by the route that athletes should do from start point to the finish, going through all the observation points of his course.

Timed Controls

There are two timed controls where the decision time is recorded, located after a pre-finish. A separate, specially prepared map is used for these time control.

The terrain detail at a timed control will not be shown on the competitor’s maps.

At timed controls the competitor shall be seated in a position so that all the control markers are visible and their locations confirmed. A map unit containing a segment of the map oriented in the direction of view of the control, with clear indication of the direction of magnetic north above the map segment and description below the segment, shall be handed to, or placed for, the competitor as the timing starts.

At timed controls timing is stopped when a clear answer is indicated. This may be either by the use of a pointing board or orally using the International Phonetic Alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, or Echo). The planner shall not set a None/Zero answer.

At timed controls a maximum of one minute is allowed. Both time and answer are recorded.

Results

Each correctly identified control (including Timed Controls) scores one point.

At the Timed Controls a correct answer in 0-60 seconds scores one point. A wrong answer scores no points and a penalty of 60 seconds which is added to the time taken to answer. No answer in 60 seconds scores no points and a penalty of 120 seconds.

The recorded times for all timed controls in any one competition are cumulative.

Competitors are ranked according to their points scores, with competitors on equal points being ranked according to their accumulated times.

Entries

Entries should be submitted online in OASIS after login or in direct form without requirement of registration of account.

The entry fee is 1 Euro.

You should choose the course Easy or Hard according to your experience in the sport.

People that have some experience at foot orienteering should do the Difficult course.
The deadline for entries is 10/02/2010.

Programme

10.02.2010 – Deadline for entries

15.02.2010

15h00 – Short presentation about 'Precision Orienteering (Trail-O)'

15h30 – Start of the 'Precision Orienteering (Trail-O)' competition.