Competition Instructions - WRE Bulletin 2

Finnish Sprint Orienteering Championships
Tampere, Finland, 19th of September 2015
WRE-competition in categories H21 and D21

Organizer

Epilän Esa ry

Main officials

Competition Rules

The rules of FOF, special rules of the Finnish Championship and WRE rules will be followed in the competition. The rules of FOF are available on the website www.suunnistusliitto.fi.

Guiding and event centre

Driving instructions to the event centre will be posted from the Pispalan valtatie, Tampere on 18th of September at 06:00 p.m.

It is recommended that Tampere Public Transportation will be used when approaching the event centre.

For safety reasons, it is not allowed to park cars near the event center. The car parking is in the area of Teivo Racetrack described below. However, it is possible to drive by the event center with car and leave competitors near the event center. In this case, the drop-off zone of competitors is by the Epilän katu street, from which the distance to the event centre is about 400 meters. The map of drop-off zone will be added to the event web page on 16th of September.

It is essential that driving instructions and routes set by the event organiser are obeyed when arriving to the event center. Moreover, when leaving from event centre, the instructed exit routes must be obeyed till the closing time of the finish of A-finals. The arrival and exit routes are shown in the event web page and marked with signposts by the roads.

The event center can also be approached by bicycle based on the driving instructions.  

The map of Tampere is available in http://www.paikkatietoikkuna.fi/web/fi/kartta?p_p_id=Portti2Map_WAR_portti2mapportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=exclusive&published=true&viewId=5551

There is a reserved area for club tents by the event center.

Shoes must be taken off when being indoors of the event center.

Car parking area

The car parking area locates at Teivo Racetrack, which address is Ravitie, Ylöjärvi (61º 31' 45" / 23º 37' 49"). The driving instructions to the parking area will be posted from Vaasantie, road number 65, on 19th of September at 07:00 a.m. The map of parking area is available in the event web page.

There is a regular bus transportation from the car parking area to the event center. The transportation time to the event center is approximately 7 minutes. Fee of 5€ must be paid in the INFO before returning to the parking area with the bus transportation. This fee covers both the return ticket to parking area and the parking ticket. Note that this fee is vehicle-specific, and the parking ticket is needed when leaving the car parking area with a vehicle.

The first bus leaves from the parking area to the event center at 07:30 a.m. The regular bus transportation from the event center to the parking area starts at 12:00 a.m.

It is not allowed to camp in the car parking area for the night. Tents cannot be mounted in parking area.

Public transportation

The bus lines 8, 11, 13, 17, 29, 36, 70, 80 and 85 drive by the event center and the center of Tampere. When arriving the event center from the center of Tampere, the bus stop number 1518 is the closest to the event center. When leaving from the event center, the bus stop number 1519 is the closest one when heading towards the center of Tampere. The locations of these bus stops are shown in the event web page on 16th of September.

The time tables are available in http://aikataulut.tampere.fi/?lang=en  

INFO

INFO locates at the event center. INFO will be open

• on Friday 18th of September from 06:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.
• on Saturday 19th of September from 07:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.

On Friday, rain shelters can be dropped in the event center between 06:00 p.m. – 08:00 p.m.

Rental Emit cards available in INFO, the price is 5€. Payments in cash!

Terrain description

The competition will take place in residential area at Epilä, Tampere. The competition terrain will include parks, yards of public buildings and other open areas in the residential area. Most of terrain consist of asphalt, gravel roads and yards, and maintained lawns and parks.

In qualification, the terrain type varies between asphalt, gravel, maintained lawns and parks. Some classes have also short legs in forest ensuring fast running. It is recommended to use either running or trial running shoes in qualification. In case of rain, the trail running shoes probably deliver more grip in wet terrain. However, it is not allowed to use spiked shoes, shoes with studs or metallic shoe grippers.

In finals, the terrain type varies mainly between asphalt and gravel. It is recommended to use running shoes in the finals.

During the competition, the streets stay open for the traffic. The streets will be crossed both in qualification and finals by competitors. Since streets are not marked as forbidden in the map, the competitors are guided to the specific street crossing points by using the control points. In these street crossing points, there is significant traffic that is controlled and slowed down by marshals. Despite of the marshals, it is important that competitors are cautious every time when crossing a street.

Competitors should also be prepared for cyclists and pedestrians in the competition area both in qualification and finals.

The embargoed area stay valid till the end of A-finals (19th of September 05:30 p.m.). The embargoed area is shown in http://epilanesa.net/kilpailut/sm-sprintti-2015-in-english/embargoed-area/

Map

The map is prepared according to the international specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps (ISSOM2007). The scale of the map is 1:4000 and it has the contour interval of 2 meters. All maps will be in plastic cases.

It is every competitor’s responsibility to take the right map in the start. After passing the finish line in qualification, the competitor must leave the map in a bag named after competitor’s orienteering club. Similar procedure is also followed in the finals. The bag containing the maps can be picked up by following the speaker’s instructions. 

Description of Map

Open areas are marked with symbols 401 and 403 in the map. The open areas having maintained lawn are described with the symbol 401 in the map. The open areas having taller grass are described with the symbol 403.

White color on map represents open forest that is easy for running. The runnability of forest is also specified with green symbols.

The competition area has parks with playgrounds that has installed structures. Some of these structures are not present in the map due the lack of space. Map contains only such structures that probably have to be evaded during the competition.

In the map, the most of the fences are described with symbol 524 Impassable fence or railing. If the map does not state otherwise, it is most often forbidden to pass over, underneath or through such fence or railing.

Some control points are centered according to precise flag position inside the control circle. The centered dot inside the control circle indicates the precise position of the feature without need to look at the control description sheet for the details. These centered control points has been used in areas containing line shaped objects near the control points.

Forbidden and Out-of-Bounds Areas

According to FOF rule 3.631, a point described as impassable fence or forbidden area on the sprint map must not be used as passage and it may not be crossed or used in any other way in a sprint competition. All the symbols representing impassable fence, wall or point on the map represent forbidden areas or passages. Runners breaking the rules concerning forbidden areas or passages will be disqualified.

In the terrain, the out-of-bound areas are marked with blue and yellow tape.

List of the objects in the sprint map that are forbidden to cross:

Competition cards

Emit-punch system is used In the competition. Competitors are responsible for having a fully functional Emit card with the card number submitted during the registration. The competition organizers will not check the card number before the start. Competitor using the emit-card with wrong card number will be disqualified.

If the competition card number has to be changed for a good reason, there is a 3 € fee for changing it. The change must be made in writing and the fee must be paid to INFO desk before the closing of the closing quarantine of Group 1 (R1) and before the start of Group 2 (R2). The forms are available in INFO.

In qualification, the emit control slips are at the quarantine area of Group 1 (R1) and at the pre-start of Group 2 (R2). In A-finals, the emit control slips are at the quarantine area. In B-finals, emit control slips are at the pre-start.

According to FOF rule 10.41: Such electronic or mechanic punch system can be used in competitions that is approved by FOF. Only original and unopened competition cards are allowed in competitions. More information is available in Finnish in http://www.suunnistusliitto.fi/kilpailu/saannot-ja-ohjeet/sallitut-kilpailukortit/

Model control point

Model control point can be found at the competition center at the guide post and at the quarantine area of the qualifying race. At the model control point, there is also a punching unit for testing the emit card.

Control descriptions

Control descriptions are printed on the map. The descriptions are also provided as separate sheets without any fasteners. The sheets are available in the starts.

Start list

The start list for the qualification race will be published on the event website on 16th of September, 2015. The start lists of Finals will be made according to the results of the qualifying race. Start lists will be posted on the result board and event website as soon as possible after the official qualification results has been announced.

Number bibs

Race number bibs are available in the quarantine area of Group 1 (R1) and at the pre-start of Group 2 (R2).

The number bibs of Group 1 (R1) will be removed after the quarantine has been closed.

The competitor should have their own safety pins for attaching the bib.

The race number has to be clearly visible all the time during the competition.

In B-finals, the competitors will wear the number of the qualifying race.

In A- finals, new numbers will be provided.

Competition clothing

Competition clothing is free. It is not allowed to use spiked shoes, shoes with studs or metallic shoe grippers. A recommendation for the shoe type is given in the chapter Terrain description.

GPS tracking and communication

There is no GPS tracking. Competitors are not allowed to use GPS equipment with display or audible feedback. Competitors are not allowed to be in contact with anyone outside the competition with the help of any technical equipment or in any other way after entering into the quarantine.

Warming up before the competition

Before and after the race, the competitors have the possibility to warm up on the marked route between competition center and the start. After the quarantine has closed, the competitors inside the quarantine cannot warm up outside the quarantine area. At that time, the warming up takes place on the marked area inside the quarantine area. After race, it is not allowed to go back to quarantine area, but warming up can take place on the marked route from the event center up to the edge of quarantine area. In A-finals, the competitors can warm up on the marked route between the quarantine and the start.

Quarantine and prestart in qualification

Guiding to start begins from the guidepost. The signposts containing text “Lähtö-Start 1-2” lead to starts.

The quarantine closes for the Group 1 (R1) in the qualification at 09:50 a.m. The Group 1 is formed by classes H14 – H21 and D14 – D21. The number bibs of Group 1 (R1) available at quarantine area will be removed after the quarantine has been closed. The competitor not having a number bib will not be allowed to enter into start box and start the competition. The emit control slips are at the quarantine area.

After quarantine has closed, it is neither allowed to enter nor to leave the area. Moreover, the competitors are not allowed to be in contact with anyone outside the quarantine area.

The distance from the event center to the quarantine is approximately 1400 meters. There are a few traffic lights on the route to the quarantine. It is important to take enough time for this route.

The distance from that quarantine to the Start 1 is approximately 250 meters.

The Group 2 (R2) does not have quarantine but a pre-start. The Group 2 is formed by classes H35 – H85 and D35 – D85. The number bibs and emit control slips are available at the pre-start.

The pre-start of classes of Group 2 (R2) locates about 1400 meters from the event centre. The Start 2 locates at the distance of 250m from the pre-start. There are a few traffic lights on the route to the pre-start. It is important to take enough time for this route.

The competitors of Group 1 (R1) and Group 2 (R2) will be called from the quarantine and pre-start by informing only the assigned start time. This procedure takes place 8 minutes before the assigned start time.

The number bibs of classes hang on a rope that is spun both at quarantine and at pre-start. The number bib is attached to the rope with one safety pin. Both pre-start and quarantine have signs that indicate the location of the rope.

Pre-start and quarantine locate in the same area.

There are warmed shelters and limited number of toilets in the quarantine area and in the pre-start.

Coaches and care-takers can enter in quarantine area and pre-start but they cannot proceed from there towards the start.

The event organizer transports competitors’ equipment from the quarantine area to the event centre. The equipment must be packed in a bag that is properly name tagged by the competitor. Bags are available in the quarantine area.

Quarantine in finals

Guiding to start begins from the guidepost. The signposts containing text “Lähtö-Start 3-4” lead to starts.

The quarantine closes for the all classes in the A-finals at 02:15 p.m. The number bibs available at quarantine area will be removed after the quarantine has been closed. The competitor not having a number bib will not be allowed to enter into start box and start the competition.

In the A-finals, the distance to quarantine area is 1400 meters. The distance from the quarantine area to Start 3 is 800 meters. There are a few traffic lights on the route to the quarantine. It is important to take enough time for this route.

There is a gate between the quarantine area and Start 3 that is passed through by the competitors in the A-finals. The gate is controlled by official. The competitor is guided from the gate to the start 10 minutes before the start time.

There are warmed shelters and limited number of toilets in the quarantine area. The same shelters and toilets are available for competitors of B-finals.

Coaches and care-takers can enter in quarantine area but they cannot proceed from there towards the start.

In the B-finals, the classes H14 – H21 and D14 – D21 proceed towards Start 3 that locates at the distance of 2200 meters from the event centre. The classes H35 – H85 and D35 – D85 proceed towards Start 4 that locates 1900 meters from the event centre.

The route to the starts of B-finals passes by the quarantine area of the A-finals. Coaches and care-takers can enter in quarantine area of the A-finals but they cannot proceed from there towards the starts of B-finals.

Toilets and warmed shelters are available when passing by the quarantine area of the A-finals. The emit control slips are also available in the quarantine area of the A-finals.

The event organizer transports competitors’ equipment from the quarantine area to the event centre. The equipment must be packed in a bag that is properly name tagged by the competitor. Bags are available in the quarantine area.

Start in qualification and finals

The competitor is called to the start by informing competitor’s start time. At that time, the competitor enters in the first box at that moment.

According to the special rules of the Finnish Championship, the competitors of the classes H14 and D14 will receive the map at the time of start.

According to IOF rule 22.6, the map is not shown to competitors before the assigned start time.

Start procedure in qualification and finals

-4 min, The competitor is called to the first box. Clear Emit card.

-3 min, Control descriptions can be taken

-1 min, Competitor moves by the map stand.

At the time of start, Competitor takes the map in which his/her class and qualification group has been printed.

Late competitors must report to officials at start. The chief official of starts instructs the late competitors. 

Finnish

The Emit-card is punched at the finish line. The finish of the qualifying race will be closed at 11:35 a.m. The finish of the finals will be closed at 04:45 p.m.

Dropouts

In case of DNF (dropping out from the race), the competitor must register him/herself at the finish.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the Event center immediately after the official results of A-finals have been announced.

Before the award ceremony, the awarded competitors are will be called to gather in a waiting area near the podium. The awarded competitors will be guided to the podium timely by the organiser.

The first three competitors of each class will be given medals and honorary prizes. Plaques will be awarded for those who were on the 4th to 10th place in the classes of Group 1 (R1), and for those who were on the 4th to 6th places in the classes of Group 2 (R2).

The winners of B-finals will be awarded in classes H14 – H20 and D14 – D20. These prizes can be picked up from INFO after the official results has been announced.

Special instructions for courses of qualification race

There is a crossing of a road in all the courses of Group 1 (R1). The crossing locates between the first third and the halfway of the course, depending on the class. Marshals guard the crossing where competitors pass by cars that are driving at a very low speed.

Special instructions for courses of A-Finals 

Special instructions for courses of B-Finals

Complaints

According to the FOF orienteering rules of 2014 and according to WRE rules in WRE classes.

Complaint time is 15 minutes after announcement of official results. The complaints must be in written form and delivered to INFO. Complaint forms are available in INFO.

Changing clothes and showers

Competitors can change clothing indoors. Indoor showers are also available. 

Dining area & cafeteria

There is a dining area and cafeteria at the event centre.

Child care

Child care is available at the event centre. No advance registering is required.

First aid

First aid can be found in the event center.

First aid phone number is +358 400 xxx xxx.

Lost and found

You may enquire for your lost items at the INFO desk during the race and after that by using phone number +358 50 xxx  xxxx.

Contact

Jari Toivonen