JK2014 Relays – Pwll Du

[RichT]

I have been puzzling over one element of the E&CC response to the BOF AGM Map Scales Proposal.

The response states “The Events and Competitions Committee (E&CC) has already given permission for map exceptions - the printing method for Day 4 Relays at JK 2014“ .

I have been in contact with JK Day 4 Co-Ordinator who advises that some time ago E&CC gave permission for JK2014 map printing to move from Litho to Laser. Level A events are specified in the rules to require Litho printing and need to seek permission to vary this, so the statement in the E&CC response is correct.

What is not mentioned is that following this decision the Controller & Planners of the JK2014 Relays were concerned over the clarity of the map of Pwll Du for older classes, and submitted a proposal to E&CC for older classes to be provided with an enlarged 1:7500 map.

This has been turned down.

It is a shame that this race will take place 3 days after the AGM.

This may have shades of the 2011 BOC Relays at Tankersley, which were also run exclusively on 1:10,000 scale maps, after a similar request to use 1:7,500 scale maps was also refused.

[DJM]

Well, we've had the Pwll Du Relays today and the map was great. It was clear, uncluttered with unnecessary detail and easy to read at 1:10000, a big contrast to that used for BOC Relays 2007 at the same venue. My 65+ year old eyes appreciated it ...

[graeme]

I was looking at the two maps together last night. It is really remarkable how much clearer the new one is. The quality of the laser print helps, but the cartography is way superior. There is some declutter, but mostly it's down to the skill of the mapmaker to capture the terrain shapes with the minimal number of lines. I wish I could do that.

(note: on my BOC 2007/M21E is a note that I hardly used the map at all, just bearing and thrash, the detail being impossible for me to resolve)

[PhilJ]

agreed - having run pwll ddu many times i made no mistakes on my run yesterday, i put this down to the new map not my navigating style (day 2 and 3 bad!), much clearer, looking forward to going back there in october for a level c event organised by SWOC

[awk]

I've made similar comments on the JK thread: this was a great example of good mapping and superior printing making 1:7500 superfluous. The situation (cf Tankersley) was helped by being on an open area on a good day: no light issues. However, it wasn't as if the area wasn't complex! (It was an excellent course too!).

[RichT]

I am happy to hold my hand up and say well done to the mapper/printer for yesterdays' Pwll Du map - my fears about the map not being legible at 1:10000 were proved wrong.

Enjoyed my course and nice to finish a testing JK with blue skies - thanks to all of the organising clubs & teams.

[mark2]

Mention should also be made of the planners' decision to include the control codes on the map. Routinely done in relays abroad, but not often enough in the UK. I hope it sets the trend for the big relays here too.

[PhilJ]

what did we think of the control number and code being printed on the map e.g 1 - 101. I must admit I was a little worried it would omit detail on the map, but it didn't and i did not have to unfold/fold my map once. Navigate to circle, read map and punch control, a first for me.

do we need control descriptions printed on the map anymore ok we do, but this certainly added to the relay experience and a great enhancement. This should be carried forward to the other major relays, where the map/mapping allows, so no hard and fast rule change please!

[PhilJ]

ah Mark beat me to it...

[sketchweppers]

what did we think of the control number and code being printed on the map e.g 1 - 101. I must admit I was a little worried it would omit detail on the map, but it didn't and i did not have to unfold/fold my map once. Navigate to circle, read map and punch control, a first for me.

do we need control descriptions printed on the map anymore ok we do, but this certainly added to the relay experience and a great enhancement. This should be carried forward to the other major relays, where the map/mapping allows, so no hard and fast rule change please!

It probably did help, but some thought as to the control numbering might be necessary or could the control codes be printed in a smaller font? My husband had his control 10 quite close to control 11 - 110 and the way his map was folded meant there was some confusion between the 10 of control 10 and the control code of control 11. Having control numbers larger than the control codes would have removed such issues.

I found that it meant I did not look at the control descriptions as much - and this meant that I was unsure of the details of the feature - I realised that it was a re-entrant, say, but not whereabouts on the re-entrant the kite would be. They certainly still need to be there for clarification if necessary.

[awk]

Mention should also be made of the planners' decision to include the control codes on the map. Routinely done in relays abroad, but not often enough in the UK. I hope it sets the trend for the big relays here too.

Great idea, worked well. Unlike PhilJ and sketchweppers, I was still checking descriptions - glad I did too! - but it meant I didn't have to worry about trying to absorb codes at same time.

[Barny]

Well done to BOK
Weather was brilliant
Organisation was brilliant
Courses were brilliant
Map was brilliant (and showed that needing larger scale maps or off-set printing is a load of rubbish - just need a good mapper who understands orienteering and can simplify detail - particularly brown detail - just wish I could do maps that good)
I thoroughly enjoyed myself
May we have many more brilliantly organised sunny days with brilliant courses and maps

[NeilC]

Having control numbers larger than the control codes would have removed such issues.

I did just that for a sprint event a few years ago but it was a pain (using OCAD) since I had to manually add the control code using a new symbol, since the symbol used by OCAD to display the control number/code has a fixed font size.

[SIman]

I am told that the junior maps were very confusing with all the circles, numbers and codes very close together. A smaller font might have helped (or a 1:5000 map - oops wrong thread)

[Dave]

I found that it meant I did not look at the control descriptions as much - and this meant that I was unsure of the details of the feature.

Which is entirely your fault and nothing to do with the planners using, what is by far the best practice for relays.