Another negative topic!

[EddieH]

With all these clear infringements goingon in urban events, and with the inclusion of a mass start event (specifcally against the rules) which didn't even use an orienteering map, surely any validity in the ranking list must be called into serious question. Only 6 events count - these abberant ones could be significant.

[buzz]

Agreed!

An easy solution is to heavily weight Level A events which should be of higher quality and have more representative fields.

And why on earth are night events excluded but sprint and urban events included!?

[Sloop]

One might also wonder why Heats (eg. British Sprints) count for rankings, when the best runners in them may well not trying their hardest.

[NeilC]

One might also wonder why Heats (eg. British Sprints) count for rankings, when the best runners in them may well not trying their hardest.

That applies to many other ranking events which many good orienteers just use for training purposes. For some top juniors the British Long Distance Champs wasn't a particularly important race this year since it didn't count for JWOC selection, no need to peak or try too hard when the more important races are yet to come.

[andy]

I don't think the validity of the ranking system has ever been a question, it's not...

Have any of your/these concerns been raised with BO(F)?

[EddieH]

I'd expect someone from GO to notify BOF that their trail event should not be given points, but the general problem with "cheating" in urban events is surely more something for open discussion.

[maprun]

Only one course had enough ranked runners (15) on the Guildford trail event. Of those 15 I reckon only 3 have increased their rankings, and are probably better runners than navigators.

Personally I think the ranking system has been a real boon in so many respects. For example, you can tell a lot about someone's relative strengths and weaknesses without having to follow them in the forest, just look at the events they do well in.

[AndyO]

For example, you can tell a lot about someone's relative strengths and weaknesses without having to follow them in the forest, just look at the events they do well in.

What can you tell about strengths and weaknesses from a ranking list? and what can you do with the information anyway?

you could conclude that Kitch is pish at urban events, I suppose

[ianandmonika]

British Nights (purists O?) doesn't count, but some Mickey Mouse urban/Sprint Level C event does!! Stopped looking at rankings long time ago - it's a meaningless list now.

[cbg]

That's not true - it's useful for increasing one's blood pressure

[Dave]

Hold on, are you guys trying to suggest that the British Orienteering Ranking List isn't the be all and end all and there is more to orienteering than sitting starring at it?

I don't buy it chaps. not one bit.

[DJM]

EddieH wrote

I'd expect someone from GO to notify BOF that their trail event should not be given points, but the general problem with "cheating" in urban events is surely more something for open discussion.

I can confirm that this issue is now in BO's hands...

[Kitch]

With all these clear infringements goingon in urban events, and with the inclusion of a mass start event (specifcally against the rules) which didn't even use an orienteering map, surely any validity in the ranking list must be called into serious question. Only 6 events count - these abberant ones could be significant.

are you suggesting that urban events are ........

what's the word....

pish?

[andypat]

Now Eddie be careful how you answer that - you wouldnt want to upset the planner of that really quite good urban event up in Lossiemouth.......

[AlanB]

Hey! What's going on here? I find one type of orienteering that I am reasonably average at and some people want to downgrade its importance? 'Forget' that!