Control circles centred on the feature

[RobL]

I was interested in the article on pages 30-31 of the current edition of CompassSport. A suggestion is to ignore the International Spec for Sprint Orienteering Maps on where planners are required to place the circle for point and line features.

I'm not 100% sure that the advice in CS is terribly helpful - especially if you are a controller of this type of event.

Arguably part of the challenge of sprint orienteering is to make use of the control descriptions, and not simply to run in the general direction of the circle.

[andypat]

That'll be an interesting read when it arrives - was it one of the GOMs (Grumpy Old Men) on here who wrote it?

I hope any discussion around ISSOM takes proper account of the differences between "urban" and "sprint" racing both in spirit as well as in their different EWTs!

[DJM]

Not sure there is a difference where CDs are concerned...

[graeme]

A suggestion is to ignore the International Spec for Sprint Orienteering Maps on where planners are required to place the circle for point and line features.

The quote is "the circle shows the precise position of the feature". Barry seems to take this to mean putting the centre of the circle at the middle of the feature, rather than the position of the flag. A moment's thought will tell you it can't mean that: sprint controls may be placed on edges of fields or lakes where the centre of the feature isn't even on the map!

Barry's suggestion is spot on, and I'm rather sure it's what ISSOM intends too.

Put the circle where the flag is.

[RobL]

From the spec, 'The centre of the circle shows the precise
position of the feature'.

I think that this is clear enough to tell planners not to put the centre of the circle alongside a point or line feature.

[Adrian]

With a path junction or small feature like a tree or depression, I expect the control circle to be centred on the centre of the symbol, even if the description says "tree north side" or whatever.

[andypat]

Agree with Adrian for point features - the obvious one being a prominent large tree where the symbol covers a significantly larger area of ground than the width of the trunk. Tree N side should still, be centred on the centre of the symbol - to move it to the N side of the symbol misrepresent the position of the flag by several metres.

[andypat]

Not sure there is a difference where CDs are concerned...

A wise old orienteer explained the difference to me in terms of what you can get away with when planning urban that you cant when planning sprint.

If I'm planning urban I'll be actively trying to catch you out with dead ends, uncrossable features etc - I think thats half the fun. But I woudnt do this in sprint in the same way- I dont think that you have time to unravel the routes to the same extent in sprint, including the control descriptions.

[DeerTick]

If I'm planning urban I'll be actively trying to catch you out with dead ends, uncrossable features etc - I think thats half the fun.

That's why I haven't quite taken to urban!

AP

[Jethro]

Andypat wrote:
If I'm planning urban I'll be actively trying to catch you out with dead ends, uncrossable features etc - I think thats half the fun.

I have to echo Deer Tick's sentiments. I already have issues with urban events due to problems caused by my red/green colour blindness but if other urban planners have the same attitude as Andypat I am definitely not going to make the effort to take part!

[AndyC]

Put the circle where the flag is.

Pure and simple

[NeilC]

As far as I am concerned dead ends, uncrossable walls etc are defining features of both sprint and urban orienteering and are to be encouraged so long as the map is clear and the scope for taking illegal shortcuts is minimised. I appreciate that some will not enjoy this but others relish the additional mental challenge.

I do not agree with the concept that reading the control description is a crucial aspect of sprint/urban orienteering. Ideally the location of the control should be obvious from the map. Many of our informal street events (and the Harvester ultrasprints) used the dot in the centre of the circle approach. I'm a great fan of this - it gives me confidence that I know where I'm heading just leaving the real orienteering skill of choosing the best way to get there.

[IanD]

As far as I am concerned dead ends, uncrossable walls etc are defining features of both sprint and urban orienteering and are to be encouraged so long as the map is clear and the scope for taking illegal shortcuts is minimised.

I'm with Neil on this one.

However, wherever possible (and it isn't always), I feel that the planner should use a feature which is unambiguous from the map alone. For example, rather than use one side of an uncrossable wall as the control feature, use the mapped tree which is adjacent to it.

[LostAgain]

[quote="andypatIf I'm planning urban I'll be actively trying to catch you out with dead ends, uncrossable features etc - I think thats half the fun. [/quote]

Would you also put the control flag at the bottom of a pit or within a bush?
This would be similar to me and fortunately the planning guidelines have developed to discourage this.

When Urban grows up and the planning guidelines become established hopefully your attitude will be discouraged.

[IanD]

If I'm planning urban I'll be actively trying to catch you out with dead ends, uncrossable features etc - I think thats half the fun.

Would you also put the control flag at the bottom of a pit or within a bush?
This would be similar to me and fortunately the planning guidelines have developed to discourage this.

When Urban grows up and the planning guidelines become established hopefully your attitude will be discouraged.

Control flags should never be hidden, whether in a traditional forest or an urban/sprint environment.

This is a separate issue from whether or not the planner should try to set route choice problems involving uncrossable features.