Control descriptions in advance

[Simon E]

And another thing from the conference at the weekend...

Why did we ever start sending out control descriptions in advance, and then, even worse, putting them on the web. This is difficult to do in any usable format, and doesn't save you the trouble of having to provide copies anyway on the day. You also have problems if there are any last minute changes.

What's wrong with just providing loose descriptions at enquiries, or even just in the start lane as would happen abroad?

[awk]

Totally agree Simon. In the start lane is by a long way my preferred system. Works like a dream abroad. Wish we did it here all the time, with one caveat: they have to be of a size to for an M/W45+ to read!

[Gnitworp]

Difficult to 'customise' if you don't get the sheets until the start lane. I cover mine with plastic film and pin it to a wrist band. I can't do this if I get it in the start lane. I'm forced to use a plastic holder, which often isn't long enough and doesn't provide a waterproof seal.

[HOCOLITE]

Don't you remember copying them down at assembly in torrential rain when your pen gives up or when it's so cold and windy that you can't write. That's why internet and in advance became so attractive. Have used the continental system and had no problem except for the panic to get descriptions in before starting. At WOC the helpers taped the descriptions to arms if the competitor didn't have a holder. Often wondered why the continentals had hairless arms

[Gnitworp]

At the WMOC Final this year I managed to rip the button off my holder just as I was about to go into the start box. The ensuing panic (I used tape off my shoe laces to repair it) resulted in my not seeing a prominent notice about extra tracks not marked on the map near the start. As a consequence I lost 3 minutes on the first control.

[awk]

It's only a panic because you aren't used to it. Week in, week out, hundreds, no thousands, manage to deal with it without any fuss.

[Gnitworp]

I can think of 2 reasons for issuing descriptions in the start lanes rather than in advance:

1) To prevent people comparing codes, enabling them to know, for example, that someone starting with them on another course is going to the same first control.

2) Very occasionally it is possible to guess from the descriptions some of the control locations on a previous copy of the map.

I can't think of any other reasons; and these possible unfair advantages to be gained from issuing in advance are so marginal that issuing in the start lanes is only justifiable or desirable (perhaps) in the most important events, e.g., British, World Champs etc.

If putting them on the Internet gives problems, just have them available at enquiries on the day. Then I can 'customise' my description sheet in the same way as I 'customise' my compass and Emit or SI Card. I don't get these issued in the start lanes.

[tendon]

Very occasionally it is possible to guess from the descriptions some of the control locations on a previous copy of the map

But it does happen - Night Champs on Hawley last winter - I know of one competitor who had pre identified almost every control, based on old map and pre issued descriptions.

Hardly a level playing field

Personnally, I think we should do away with control codes. With maps at current high standards and care with planning (or proper attention to neighbouring sites) codes should be unnecessary!

[Freefall]

Putting control descriptions in the start lane adds yet another bit of work to the organisers, with the neeed to print (and trim to size)many extra bits of paper. These then have to be kept dry and in orderly piles, not so easy in lashing rain in a gale (we have that that in the NE on occasion).

I do however there is some advantage to be gained looking at other descriptions - perhaps common last control (but Simon I now know that with epunching that should happen) but also possibly getting an idea as to who might be running on your section of the course.

[jab]

Putting descriptions into a plastic holder in the start lane was the one part of orienteering that oldest child struggled with when younger. Having helped lots of other juniors his age when I've been in the start lane has shown me that he wasn't alone. If one of us was there with him then we could sort him out but sometimes our starts were miles away.

[graeme]

I like loose descriptions, one of the few annoying things at PT (the only recent non-relay not to provide them) was folding, refolding and relocating on a large, complex map.

If you prepare loose descriptions for printing, theres negligible extra effort putting them on the web. It saves lots of loose-description printing, queues at assembly and its one less thing to worry about for the competitor. Having them properly attached in an appropriate-sized holder makes it much less likely you loose them / litter the forest.

Posting them in advance? Used to be a faff, but now only a small minority want details posted out.

[kedge]

And I was just about to put up the control descriptions for the Caddihoe Chase on our website. Now I'm not so sure. What to do?

Lets have a poll & be democratic about it, perhaps

[FatBoy]

No problem about putting them in start lanes only - but to add my caveat - they have to be able to fit within the standard control descriptions holders. Even at the mighty o-ringen I've been practising origami trying to fold the 25+ controls into a size that actually fits. Penhale British Champs I actually gave up and read the last few off the back of the map. Also they must be laser printed (photocopied is ok) if they are to be handed out here - without the ability to protect the paper the ink will run with the amount of sweat that gets in.

[lincolnsteve]

What is wrong with just having them on the map? Yes its a pain to unfold but everyone is on a level playing field and you dont have to worry about downloading them, finding them on the day, cutting them to size, worrying about fonts or any last minute changes. The things are on the map anyway so why do we waste so much paper producing something thats already there?

On the map is more enviromentally friendly, saves work for the organiser and creates less of a panic in the start lanes or around assembly. Its also prolly more attractive to new comers too.

But then I guess too many people are stuck in their old ways to think about change

[Freefall]

Descriptions on the map have never been a problem on a level playing field for me - it is in rough and complex terrain that I have problems folding and unfolding. I use a thumb compass and techniques are a bit different from a base plate type. I rarely look at the descriptions on the map after I have confirmed they match loose descriptions (they didn't at a Compass Sport match last year even though I did have the correct loose and correct map!)