York University Race

[Garnon]

May I point out that that exact control site was used at last year's British Sprint Champs.

[awk]

Exactly, ignorance is no defence.
To quote Awk, "Even the example of that definition 5 implies intent.", I am afraid no it doesnt; it simply states 'to violate a rule', which some people did, therefore SHOULD be disqualified.

You have to read the whole of what I said: I said that the quote used with the definition implies intent.

I wasn't there, so can't comment on the specifics, but imo this should have been controlled out before the event.

Accepted, but it wasn't, so one deals with the consequences. Impossible to go down the disqualification route, but fortunately those who got it wrong were punished anyway and lost time. The one unfortunate aspect was that one or two who realised they got it wrong and put it right got doubly punished (Graham Capper did the same as you LostAgain, although you obviously managed to run round faster than he did, as he appears to have lost about a minute and you lost about 30 seconds according to the splits).

Also, the route from the 'wrong' side, although longer, could provide easier navigation and thus allow the competitor more opportunity to plan ahead.

It didn't. I reckon the route from the correct position was navigationally just as straightforward or even easier - the line through the buildings was very straightforward, and as a result I used it to plan ahead.

Let's put this into some sort of context. Firstly, this was a fairly small Level C event. Secondly, does anybody actually know whether anybody actually punched from the wrong side and then carried on? A few people have said they punched wrongly and then put it right, and I observed two or three people turning back to go round the right way as I ran in, but otherwise?

It shouldnt be at the discretion of an organiser or controller whether someone is disqualified

Whatever you personally might think should or shouldn't be the case, the rules state that the it is the controller's decision. Anyway, who are you going to disqualify?

But i was forgetting that the officials (although officially UYOC are actually Ebor).

And? (aside from the fact that the planner is a long-standing member of SYO).

[MAPS]

Agree entirely with AWK.
Garnon makes a good point about the exact control being used at the British Sprints, on legs which were very similar at both events.Routegadget shows nearly everyone navigating to the correct side. The placement was deemed correct at the British, and I am not aware of any complaints being made then.
This control was not the same as the SYO one referred to. All those who navigated correctly here( as I did!) gained an advantage over those who did not. At the SYO event the reverse was the case.
I may be biased, but I thought the event was excellently planned, more so in that it was the planners first time. It should also be noted that he spent a considerable amount of time in planning the event, including making 3 return journeys by train from Stockport.
I think we should ignore this minor issue and concentrate on the positives. Well done to UYOC and EBOR for a WELL planned and enjoyable event.

[LostAgain]

I may be biased, but I thought the event was excellently planned, more so in that it was the planners first time. It should also be noted that he spent a considerable amount of time in planning the event, including making 3 return journeys by train from Stockport.
I think we should ignore this minor issue and concentrate on the positives. Well done to UYOC and EBOR for a WELL planned and enjoyable event.

Agree entirely.
It was AWKS comment that I thought unreasonable from someone who compounded their mistake by not cheating.
Enjoyed the event, paid the price for incompetence, although some people had minimised their mistake by punching through the fence.

I do think that controls should be placed so that they cannot be punched through a none cross-able feature, and again I restate similar to the SYO event. Gains/losses not identical but issue the same.

Well done Adam for a enjoyable event, and allowing us to discuss the "issues" of urban orienteering. Some love it others loath it.

[LostAgain]

A point that should probably be noted for future planners is that between control 11 & 12 on the A course there is a gate between the uncrossable fence and building when you head right(North). Although open when I went through it was closed when Zac went to it, he and a.n.other spent some time checking various options before climbing it. The gate was only openable from the other side. As other courses had it and approached form the other side it became unfair as they would open the gate and leave it open but sporadically it became closed.

Something for planners to be aware of in the future. Unfortunate.

[awk]

It was AWKS comment that I thought unreasonable from someone who compounded their mistake by not cheating.

Sorry if I was being unreasonable - but what was I being unreasonable about?

[andypat]

Too reasonable maybe?