Today we present a Webroute from JK 2009 day 3 submitted by Dave Schorah. To make it more interesting for the reader to draw your route, we have included routechoices and splits for some of the runners in the graphic below the Webroute.

You can also find the complete course in Routegadget here. This might not be the most interesting leg in terms of routechoices – but it is still good o-technical training to think it through.

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- This is really sad news, especially for me as the QuickRoute developer. The result of hundreds of hours of unpaid work is now banned to use at major international events. At least for the vast majority of athletes that do not have a non-display GPS watch, Mats Troeng – developer of the very popular QuickRoute software – comments the new set of IOF rules made public earlier today.

- This is a really contraproductive decision made by the IOF. In my opinion, IOF should aim for making our sport more attractive. And letting the top athletes share their route choices with their fans world-wide certainly makes the sport more attractive and visible. Banning them to do so is NOT attractive, Troeng continues in a comment to an article about the issue here at WorldofO.com.

The reason for Troeng’s reaction is that you won’t be allowed to carry a GPS watch like the Forerunner 405/305 on WRE races, World Cup races and WOC races from June 1st according to the new IOF rules published by the IOF today. Note that the IOF rules are not applicable to events which are not organized through the IOF, and thus GPS-watches may still be used in all local races, national races, international races without WRE-status, Jukola, etc. However, these are the most important races – and there is also the risk that national federations will follow up the IOF rules with a similar set of rules on national level – banning GPS-watches from the sport altogether.

- What’s next? Forcing top athletes to stay in some kind of quarantine the months preceding a big race just to make sure that they won’t cheat by visiting embargoed areas, Troeng continues. - Let’s face it. Orienteering is, and will be, a sport based on fair play and gentlemen’s agreement. I hope rule 21.3 will be canceled as soon as possible.

Read the complete article about the issue – including comments – here.

You won’t be allowed to carry a GPS watch like the Forerunner 405/305 on WRE races, World Cup races and WOC races from June 1st according to the new IOF rules published by the IOF today. Note that the IOF rules are not applicable to events which are not organized through the IOF, and thus GPS-watches may still be used in all local races, national races, international races without WRE-status, Jukola [not allowed according to Jukola rules - the Swedish language invitation explicitly disallows all GPS-devices, whereas the English language version only disallows tracking devices], etc.

Whereas the previous set of rules stated that navigational aids like e.g. GPS-watches could not be used during the competition, the new rules state that navigational aids may not be carried. One could argue that a GPS-watch is not a navigational aid, but that is no use – all GPS-watches available can show you running distance and altitude, which may definitely aid your navigation.

However, you may still use GPS logging devices without a screen – which give you no information at all as a navigational aid. One example is the Globalsat BT-335 Data-logger, which can log your position every second while running (and is compatible with Quickroute), but which gives you no navigational aid during the competition.

My personal comment: For the sake of the development of the sport of orienteering, I hope that national federations will not follow the IOF-rules and disallow carrying GPS-watches in all races. Disallowing wearing of GPS-watches in WRE-races, World Cup-races and WOC-races makes some sense – but for other competitions one should allow competitors to carry the GPS-watches with rules according to the old formulations in the IOF-rules, i.e. not allowed to use this type of navigational aids – and trust the runners to follow the rules in this respect.

The last years, we’ve seen that a lot of the top runners use GPS watches and the Quickroute software (the map above is from Mats Troeng’s digital map archive) to analyze their races, and share with the orienteering community. It would be sad if national authorities following IOF-rules should stop this development which has so much potential for getting new orienteers interested in the sport.

Below you find the most important rule changes. Note that it is now also not allowed to set up your own GPS tracking over GPRS without the approval of the organizers. Also, controls may now be down to 15 meters apart for 1:5000/1:4000 scale.

Navigational aids

• New: 21.3 During the competition the only navigational aids that competitors may use or carry are the map and control descriptions provided by the organiser, and a compass.
• Old: 21.3 During the competition the only navigational aids that competitors may use are the map and control descriptions provided by the organiser, and a compass.

Telecom equipment (e.g. personal GPS-tracking over GPRS)

• New: 21.4 Competitors may not use or carry telecommunication equipment between entering the pre-start area and reaching the finish in a race, unless the equipment is approved by the organiser. The organiser may require competitors to wear a tracking device.
• Old: 21.4 Telecommunication equipment may only be used in the competition area with the permission of the organiser.

Controls 15 meters apart on 1:4000/1:5000

• New: 19.4 Controls shall not be sited within 30 metres of each other (15 metres for map scales1:5000 or 1:4000). (see also Appendix 2, #3.5.5).
• Old: 19.4 Controls shall not be sited within 30 m of each other (see also Appendix 2, #3.5.5).

[Updated with complete course] The Norwegian NOC Test races over the long distance east of Oslo got as hard as expected – Nordberg taking the win in the mens class in 92:08. Nordberg was 25 seconds ahead of the winner of yesterday – Carl Waaler Kaas, with Håvard Lucasen in third position. In the womens class – Hausken with 73:37 had nearly two minutes down to Marianne Andersen – and another two minutes down to Simone Niggli.

Above you see the first three controls in the mens course – see below for the rest of the course – and see also the course with routes at Øystein Kvaal Østerbø’s website. The course was dominated with many long legs where the runners had to fight all the way to keep up the speed and do the correct choices. We will come back with an analysis of some of the most interesting legs later on.

Important victory for Nordberg

This was an important victory for Anders Nordberg, who really wanted to win this long distance race in order to show that he is where he should be ahead of the Open Nordic Champs. - I am very satisfied with my race today, Nordberg said after his race.

The Norwegians dominated the long distance in the mens class today – not surprisingly as this was an important race for them – and more a training for the Swiss, Swedes and others participating. Still, Baptiste Rollier finished 5th, +2:18, Emil Wingstedt and Marcus Millegård finished 9th and 10th, Kiril Nikolov 14th and Daniel Hubmann 19th (pictured below on his way to the finish today).

Results Men

1 Nordberg,Anders Halden SK 1:32:08 + 00:00
2 Kaas,Carl Waaler NTNUI 1:32:33 + 00:25
3 Lucasen,Håvard Ås-UMB Orientering 1:32:54 + 00:46
4 Lundanes,Olav Halden SK 1:33:55 + 01:47
5 Rollier,Baptiste Kristiansand OK 1:34:26 + 02:18
6 Hott,Holger Kristiansand OK 1:35:40 + 03:32
7 Østerbø,Øystein Kvaal Wing OK Trondheim 1:35:50 + 03:42
8 Vågsnes,Sigve Nydalens SK 1:37:28 + 05:20
9 Wingstedt,Emil Halden SK 1:38:00 + 05:52
10 Millegård,Marcus Sävedalens AIK 1:38:51 + 06:43

Results Women

1 Hausken,Anne Margrethe Halden SK 1:13:37 + 00:00
2 Andersen,Marianne Konnerud IL 1:15:29 + 01:52
3 Niggli,Simone Swiss Orienteering 1:17:28 + 03:51
4 Nilsen,Betty Ann Bjerkreim Lillehammer OK 1:21:44 + 08:07
5 Bagstevold,Heidi Østlid Kongsberg OL 1:23:24 + 09:47
6 Hagman,Line NTNUI 1:23:52 + 10:15
7 Jahren,Silje Ekroll Sävedalens AIK 1:24:46 + 11:09
8 Ulvestad,Siri Heming/Njård OL 1:25:31 + 11:54
9 Ragvin,Nicole Nydalens SK 1:25:38 + 12:01
10 Steiwer,Kine Hallan Lillomarka OL 1:26:18 + 12:41

• Full results are available here

[Updated 1800] Carl Waaler Kaas and Anne Margrethe Hausken took victories today – Swiss Simone Niggli and Daniel Hubmann where left far behind. In the mens class Waaler Kaas took a very clear victory – more than a minute ahead of Olav Lundanes – and with another minute down to Jonn Are Myhren. In the womens class, Hausken won before Kajsa Nilsson and Simone Niggli.

The Swiss teams take the Norwegian NOC Test Races as part of their training camp in Norway – whereas the races are important for the Norwegians – thus the 2.23 up to Carl Waaler Kaas for Daniel Hubmann and the 1.32 up for Simone Niggli are nothing to put too much weight on a few weeks before the Nordic Champs in Finland. - I am very happy to be back running again, Niggli commented after her race today.

Though race

Above you see the mens course for todays middle distance – a physically challenging course. Below you see three webroutes from some few of the routechoice legs. Please add your comments to let others get the possibility to learn from the leg. I hope to put up an analysis of some of these legs in a new post if I get some comments/splits for the times below. You’ll probably find the routechoices of Jon Pedersen, Daniel Hubmann, Olav Lundanes and others at their personal webpages within a few days time as well.

Results men

1 Kaas,Carl Waaler NTNUI 37:15 + 00:00
2 Lundanes,Olav Halden SK 38:22 + 01:07
3 Myhren,Jonn Are Lidingö SOK 39:35 + 02:20
4 Hubmann,Daniel Swiss Orienteering 39:38 + 02:23
4 Vågsnes,Sigve Nydalens SK 39:38 + 02:23
6 Lucasen,Håvard Ås-UMB Orientering 39:56 + 02:41
7 Hott,Holger Kristiansand OK 40:01 + 02:46
8 Tiltnes,Anders Tyrving, IL 40:14 + 02:59
9 Rollier,Baptiste Kristiansand OK 40:15 + 03:00
10 Andersen,Jostein Kristiansand OK 40:16 + 03:01

Results women

1 Hausken,Anne Margrethe Halden SK 35:22 + 00:00
2 Nilsson,Kajsa Eva Maria Halden SK 36:50 + 01:28
3 Niggli,Simone Swiss Orienteering 36:54 + 01:32
4 Andersen,Marianne Konnerud IL 37:19 + 01:57
5 Fasting,Mari NTNUI 38:28 + 03:06
6 Wild,Angela Swiss Orienteering 39:16 + 03:54
7 Hagman,Line NTNUI 39:55 + 04:33
8 Jahren,Silje Ekroll Sävedalens AIK 40:14 + 04:52
9 Nilsen,Betty Ann Bjerkreim Lillehammer OK 40:43 + 05:21
10 Ulvestad,Siri Heming/Njård OL 40:52 + 05:30

• Results will be available at the organizers website

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Marianne Andersen and Anders Skarholt won the Norwegian NOC test race over the sprint distance held just outside Oslo today. Andersen was only 3 seconds ahead of Anne Margrethe Hausken – the two being more than 20 seconds ahead of Elise Egseth in third spot. In the mens class, Skarholt took a clear victory, 16 seconds ahead of Anders Nordberg and Carl Waaler Kaas in split second place.

The NOC test races continue with middle distance Saturday and long distance Sunday. For the weekend, the Swiss national team with Simone Niggli and Daniel Hubmann will also participate in the races.

Below you find a webroute from one of the most interesting route choices in the mens race in todays NOC test races – above you see the complete course for the men.

Results men

1 Skarholt,Anders Södertälje Nykvarn Orientering 13:59 + 00:00
2 Nordberg,Anders Halden SK 14:15 + 00:16
2 Kaas,Carl Waaler NTNUI 14:15 + 00:16
4 Lundanes,Olav Halden SK 14:21 + 00:22
5 Skjeset,Lars NTNUI 14:31 + 00:32
5 Østerbø,Øystein Kvaal Wing OK Trondheim 14:31 + 00:32
7 Tiltnes,Anders Tyrving, IL 14:36 + 00:37
8 Karlsson,Mattias Halden SK 14:41 + 00:42
9 Nilsen,Audun Bjerkreim Kristiansand OK 14:48 + 00:49
10 Pedersen,Jon Halden SK 14:50 + 00:51

Results women

1 Andersen,Marianne Konnerud IL 14:04 + 00:00
2 Hausken,Anne Margrethe Halden SK 14:07 + 00:03
3 Egseth,Elise Wing OK Trondheim 14:29 + 00:25
4 Bagstevold,Heidi Østlid Kongsberg OL 14:52 + 00:48
5 Nilsen,Betty Ann Bjerkreim Lillehammer OK 15:00 + 00:56
6 Fasting,Mari NTNUI 15:06 + 01:02
7 Nilsen,Inger Liv Bjekreim Lillehammer OK 15:08 + 01:04
8 Ulvestad,Siri Heming/Njård OL 15:10 + 01:06
9 Hagman,Line NTNUI 15:38 + 01:34
10 Moe,Lene Nydalens SK 15:40 + 01:36

Results men junior

1 Indgaard,Jo Forseth Frol IL 13:55 + 00:00
1 Indgaard,Ulf Forseth Frol IL 13:55 + 00:00
3 Bjugan,Mathias Wing OK Trondheim 14:19 + 00:24
4 Ravnan,Sigurd Toten-Troll, OL 14:53 + 00:58
5 Westergård,Morten Jarvis Halden SK 14:54 + 00:59
6 Vister,Martin Indre Østfold OK 14:55 + 01:00
7 Juveli,Jonas Sommerstad Lillomarka OL 14:56 + 01:01
8 Døhl Mostad,Fredrik Fossum IF 14:57 + 01:02
9 Ruttenborg,Vegard Løten O-Lag 15:00 + 01:05
9 Steiwer,Gaute Hallan Lillomarka OL 15:00 + 01:05

Results women junior

1 Nydal,Britt Ingunn Lillomarka OL 13:29 + 00:00
2 Wennemo,Oda Raumar OL 14:19 + 00:50
3 Hokholt,Linn Kolbotn & Skimt OL 14:28 + 00:59
4 Haare,Therese Konnerud IL 14:39 + 01:10
5 Myhre,Ingjerd Kongsberg OL 14:52 + 01:23
6 Skjerve,Elen Katrine Frol IL 15:00 + 01:31
7 Maurset,Silje Uhlen Ås-UMB Orientering 15:06 + 01:37
8 Bjørhei,Ingvild Kolbotn & Skimt OL 15:07 + 01:38
8 Sund,Gøril Rønning Frol IL 15:07 + 01:38
10 Baklid,Anette Konnerud IL 15:12 + 01:43

• All results

Webroute – control 9-10

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Today we present a few Webroutes from an Austrian regional Sprint Championships for the region Burgenland and Steiermark – held in Pinggau.

As usual – draw your route choices below first – and afterwards you may read more about the competition at these links:

• Discussion by one of the competitors – Markus Lang
• Discussion by the course setter – Gernot Kerschbaumer

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Got another interesting leg for a Webroute which could be interesting for the readers of World of O? Send an email to Jan@Kocbach.net with the leg.

Today we present two Webroutes from northern Italy – suggested by Cristian Bellotto. One is from the Italian Championships in middle distance in 2006 – the other one from the official Sprint training for JWOC. Both are quite short legs – and as usually the important thing is to make a quick decision.

Italian Middle Champs 2006 – control 5

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Official JWOC sprint training – control 5

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Got another interesting leg for a Webroute which could be interesting for the readers of World of O? Send an email to Jan@Kocbach.net with the leg.

Today we present a long, steep Webroute from one of the training maps for JWOC 2009 in northern Italy. The map was found at the blog of the New Zealand Junior Squad – an article which also includes a discussion about the terrain.

As alway: Try to make a quick decision – and please add a comment to make your route more interesting for other readers!

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Got another interesting leg for a Webroute which could be interesting for the readers of World of O? Send an email to Jan@Kocbach.net with the leg.

This webroute is from the French Selection race long distance. See Thierry Gueorgiou’s website for Gueorgiou’s route and some discussion about the competition AFTER you have drawn your own route for the leg below.

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Got another interesting leg for a Webroute which could be interesting for the readers of World of O? Send an email to Jan@Kocbach.net with the leg.