Control description question

[andypat]

I think Scott made an assumption that it was an inside corner for the example but AWk has clarified it is an outside corner - but the principle is the same.

[70plus]

This query is more theoretical than pragmatic nowadays. Virtually all courses are produced by software which ensures that control circles appear exactly where they have been set. Provided the map allows accurate navigation to the center of the circle (and the circle does not hide important detail ), it should be unnecessary to be told which corner to look for - provided the kite is not behind a bush or something.

In the 'good old days' of John Bull overprinters, knowing which corner could make a big difference. Now it's more of an IQ test between planner and controller.

[graeme]

On the contrary. By placing controls on uncrossable line features many urban planners now seem to take a delight in making it impossible to tell from the map where the control is. And being 2m out can be a big error if you have to run round.

You've got to know those tricky nuances in the descriptions, even if you're just an orange level runner (and we wonder why we struggle to attract new people)

[andypat]

Au contraire Graeme, thats half the fun of urban! Otherwise its just running round some streets trying to avoid getting knocked down.

I reckon there is a sort of a sliding scale you could devise based on age in orienteering. It would go something like this (I am 43 incidentally). Mrs H may be more able to comment on the fasion stuff:

65+ Its OK to wear nylon for urban events/or "What is an urban event?"

60+ Its OK to wear nylon in the forest

50+ Its great how the IOF has all these prescriptive and complicated rules so we can catch out all these young uns.

45ish+ Placing controls on the wrong side of fences in Urban events is unfair (grumpy old man syndrome)

40ish+ I wish I was thinner so I could fit into that noname stuff

40ish - (minus) What are all the old folk complaining about the quality of detail on this sprint map for - its fine?

I'm too old to go back any further. I dont know how old Eddie is, but by my chart I should be able to tell after the Lossie Urban event!

[70plus]

I bow to your greater experience of Town-O, Graeme (and Andypat). As it is much more 3-D than traditional Rural-O, I realise that it can be too tempting for planners who are also practical jokers. As one who may soon depend on being helped across the road by others, I have steered clear of it so far ....

But the original query was about which corner of a building, rather than which side of that corner. I suggest that locational details on descriptions were partly to overcome the shortcomings of hand overprinting, as I said before.

[EddieH]

Graeme you'll be glad to know that there are definitely no controls on an uncrossable feature where you need to work out the description in Lossiemouth.

[andypat]

45ish+ Placing controls on the wrong side of fences in Urban events is unfair (grumpy old man syndrome)

I'm too old to go back any further. I dont know how old Eddie is, but by my chart I should be able to tell after the Lossie Urban event!

No further questions your honour...

[DaveR]

45ish+ Placing controls on the wrong side of fences in Urban events is unfair (grumpy old man syndrome)

Guilty as charged

In fact grumpy old man almost looked like a category designed with me in mind, I'm just surprised that the age range is so narrow. I look forwards to mellowing!

I'm all for "tricks" or navigational challenges as I would prefer to call them in forms of orienteering. However all the required information should be on the map, not hidden in obscure descriptions.

I'm in no position to comment on Eddie's dress sense, but he does know how to plan good courses, and is not above having some fun with (perfectly fair) descriptions. I remember something like:

Boulder, 2m, underneath

[Tatty]

At the SW Sprints at Bournemouth Uni last year we had a control inside a statue

[EddieH]

"I'm in no position to comment on Eddie's dress sense, but he does know how to plan good courses, and is not above having some fun with (perfectly fair) descriptions. I remember something like:

Boulder, 2m, underneath"

Thanks for the complient Dave. However that particular control caused quite a big complaint from an experienced orienteer that said it was impossible to know which side of the boulder to look from. I took it for granted that on a steep slope you'd want to look from below, but he wasn't wearing it!