should they be disqualified???

[paddy]

I was the controller at our clubs score champs which about 75 people attended. The planner started handing out maps before I realised what was happening with a minute to go, and told everyone not to look at their map.

We had a score race 2 weeks ago and 90% of people looked at their map and no complaint was lodged. On saturday 95% also looked at their map.

However the winner on saturday wrote a report on the club website and stated "I was still studying the map to work out which control to go to first when I heard the hooter signalling the start!" I have now recieved a complaint. so should the winner be disqualified? he won by quite a few controls

ps. i know at least the top 5 probably looked so is there any point? he didnt gain any real benefit as the course was extemely well planned.

and if anyone wants to see the report and the map see http://www.niorienteering.org.uk/lvo/Results/index.php

[DIDSCO]

Dont give the maps out with one minute to go into peoples hands. Make them stand behind their maps in rows with the maps face down on the ground. Only let them pick them up when the hooter goes. Simple solution.

[mharky]

Yeah, it should never be a problem.

I would like to see random map checks before the starts of relays... "10s to go.... and now we are going to check your bags anyone whos bag has been opened is DSQ...". I wonder how many teams would be left...

[richardm]

did he continue looking at the map after you had told everyone not to? if he did then he either didnt hear you, or just continued regardless; hard to prove either way, but he'd had chance to rectify his mistake.
on the other hand, how much of an advantage can he have gained by trying to decide which control to go to first, especially if he was still deciding when the race started? is it a big enough advantage to win by a clear distance?
and at the very least, if he has admitted that he was studying the map openly, its surely quite unlikely that he cheated on purpous.

[paddy]

totally agree with what you say Didsco about puting the maps on the ground, however it was a very last minute thing. we've learnt for the next time!!

the planner only called not to look as he was handing out the first few maps.

yeah and since he has admitted it openly it shows just how many people were looking!

[Adventure Racer]

At our club champs the maps are usually rolled up and sealed with tape - hence it's obvious you're not supposed to look at them before the start. I presume it's not cheating to break the tape before the hooter so you can unroll your map quickly?

Seems strange to me that somebody can do well enough to win without ever having done a mass start score before - and hence knowing the rules. However whilst in theory he cheated, do you really want to disqualify most of the field? Looking at the map before the start definitely isn't worth the amount it sounds like he won by.

[Gross]

[quote="Adventure Racer" I presume it's not cheating to break the tape before the hooter so you can unroll your map quickly?

.[/quote]

... but of course you could always run for 90 mins while Jo Bloggs punter is allowed 60 mins:)

[graeme]

What does it actually mean to disqualify them? Do they have to hand a trophy to someone else? If so, and you know everyone else "cheated", you're fixed. If there's no trophy and its just an asterisk in the results its hardly a big deal.

[LostOldTimer]

If thats the rule, then yes, if they have broken it which they seem to have done, they should be disqualified.
Either have the rules and keep them, or do away with them all.

[distracted]

what's the point in applying a rule like that where potentially everyone has broken it? Maybe if it were the National Champs, but seems a little harsh at a Club Score Champs where most people are probably there solely to enjoy themselves and not to win. Disqualifying the whole field seems pretty pointless to me...

[LostOldTimer]

so is it pointless? If so then this rule is pointless.
Either have the rules, and keep to the rules, or forget them all.
It shouldnt matter if its a major international event, or a local competition if the ruls are applicable to each.
If the event is seen to be a fun event, then you would need to point this out in pre-event literature that BOF rules , or certain BOF rules do not apply and competitors may look at their maps before the start.

[distracted]

So you clarify the rules *before* the start then. Are you saying you would have disqualified the entire field for looking at their maps beforehand in this situation? The complainant might well have been equally as guilty as the winner...

LOT - seeing you seem to know so much about this, are there actually any official BOF rules specifically concerning this area at score events?

[NeilC]

Looks like rule 1.3.3 was correctly applied at this event.

[krocks]

The vast majority were looking at the map beforehand, even though someone jokingly questioned it aloud (and then proceeded to look at the map themselves).
But disqualify away if you want, paddy, as i was chatting away and didn't get to plan my route - might well win, then, after a pathetic run!

[paddy]

good afternoon mr rocks never knew you were on here!!

well i passed the buck by letting it go to the club committee to decide what to do.