Sprint-O - Idiots Guide to Map Symbols

[PeteL]

Does anyone know of such a guide? We're about to put on our first sprint race and it would be useful to be able to advertise the basic ISSOM map symbols on our website in advance and/or hand the guide out at the event. I understand there are subtle but important differences between these maps and 'normal' O-maps, especially in respect of crossable obstructions and we don't want to offend our hosts through competitors not knowing the Sprint-O conventions.

Any suggestions??

[NeilC]

http://www.compasssport.co.uk/images/stories/sprintissom.pdf

[graeme]

1. Google "ISSOM 2007"
2. Cut out the bits relevant to your area.

[johnloguk]

I think this is a very pertinent thread, and something I've been thinking about a lot while considering the attendance figures at most Sprint/City/Park type races. I believe that a lot of people don't do these races because they are worried about the maps. How different are they? How accurate are they? Where can I find the symbols, I don't want to have to check the legend while I'm racing?

Nails did that brilliant Compass-sport article, and there have been others around and about. But sadly most orienteers don't get Compass-sport, or come on forums like this, or visit the BOF website. They just check their fixtures and go to the events where they feel safe. I think this also explains why people keep turning out for C3s on low quality areas for the same old same old week in week out, but won't try anything new.

At the Lincoln Race I overheard a couple chuntering to each other about "the map not being very clear back there", when I know that the map was particularly clear where they'd just come from (it was clear everywhere). I'd like to bet that they got caught out by some uncrossable walls and OOBs, when they thought there was a way through. Orienteers do this a lot. Blame the map/planner when it's their own shortcomings.

I think it is a great idea to put a set of symbols in a prominent place at sprint races, but I can guarantee that some people still won't look at them, and will still blame someone else when they come a cropper

[greywolf]

Based on my own somewhat limited experience and on reading a number of past threads on here, the biggest issue is not actually the symbols themselves, but the meaning of the word "impassable": in "normal" orienteering this is often guidance "we recommend you don't go through this bit of the marsh for your own safety", but in sprint orienteering it means "even though this feature may be barely apparent on the ground and certainly not present any significant barrier to progress, nonetheless if you cross it you may be disqualified", and i'd suggest you print some kind of reminder in very big letters where everyone can see it.

I'd also suggest that good course planning should ensure that optimal route choices avoid flowerbeds, barely-there hedges etc, or if this is not possible, then the mapping should be reinforced with purple overprints: hatching / crosses - with the best will in the world those of us who are of a certain age find it difficult to pick up every feature on the map at what passes as sprint speed , I know that i have in the past run through a line of pollarded 2ft stumps (no leaping, just through the gaps) before realising that apparently that was an uncrossable hedge...

anyway, good luck with the event on the 13th, hope you get a decent turnout.

[mikey]

Certainly agree that an understanding of 'must not cross' is a crucial element of this type of racing. There's nothing more irritating than (as at Kingussie) taking the long way around only to see that the runner who was with you a moment ago has finished ahead of you by running over/through an 'uncrossable' (i.e. must not cross)fence.

Until that rule is fully understood and followed, there is always a chance of unfairness.

[drobin]

I regularly explain to seasoned orienteers, that the 'uncrossable fence' symbol which they all recognise, does not always mean it is 10feet high, topped with barbed wire and electrified, but can mean 'permission has not been granted to allow you to be on the other side.' Edges of fields adjacent to thick woods is the classic example. An overprint line would be a good idea but is often not used to avoid cluttering up the map.

[NeilC]

I regularly explain to seasoned orienteers, that the 'uncrossable fence' symbol which they all recognise, does not always mean it is 10feet high, topped with barbed wire and electrified, but can mean 'permission has not been granted to allow you to be on the other side.' Edges of fields adjacent to thick woods is the classic example. An overprint line would be a good idea but is often not used to avoid cluttering up the map.

The "High fence" symbol on 'normal' (ISOM) maps means that it can't be crossed by an average orienteer. To refuse permission to cross requires the additional use of the purple uncrossable boundary overprint.

[johnloguk]

And as we've seen from other threads some people still ignore thick purple lines

In a sport where the map and symbols are so critical it amazes me how many orienteers don't know what some symbols mean. I think this is one of the problems facing sprint/city races. I went out of my way to understand sprint symbols when I started doing city races, the same way I did with mainstream symbols when I started orienteering many years ago. I also try to keep up to date with the changes. I suspect many don't.

Is it an acceptable defence to say "I'm sorry I didn't know what that symbol meant" when you are caught going out of bounds? I think not, but I've heard it used loads of times, often in an accusing manner that suggests that someone else should have made sure that the offender knew.

It is the competitors responsibility to know the rules. Organisers can help by putting up flyers, notices, notes in final details etc, but we can't physically make everyone read them

[PeteL]

Thanks everyone for your comments - all we are trying to do is de-mystify Sprint-O a bit; I would agree that some people don't try it for various reasons - making it clear that the map isn't that different is an attempt to get through that 'excuse'. I've never run a Sprint-O and was really looking forward to it but at the last minute I've been drafted in to control the Long-O the next day, so I'll probably be out in the forest rather that on the streets.

In case you need any further encouragement to come, Oleg Chepelin is refining the map and thinks it'll be a great Sprint-O area.

[greywolf]

The sprint race was great, thank you
The map was brilliant, really clear and no confusion at all about what was and wasn't crossable
I'm still crap

[IanD]

A question about what is, or isn't, allowed in a sprint race.

I understand that I mustn't cross something mapped as uncrossable, even if I could physically do so. But what constitutes "crossing". Obviously moving my whole body from one side to the other is indeed crossing. But what about just hand and forearm?

Sometimes the "uncrossable" feature is a low wall or a thin hedge, and on one side is a control. It can be physically easy to punch the control from the wrong side of the feature, just sticking one's hand over or through. Is this permissible?

[Gnitworp]

A
Sometimes the "uncrossable" feature is a low wall or a thin hedge, and on one side is a control. It can be physically easy to punch the control from the wrong side of the feature, just sticking one's hand over or through. Is this permissible?

It's probably best to never present people with the dilemma in the first place, and encourage planners to site controls accordingly.

I've always been an advocate of the 'fail safe' principle where courses are designed so that the quickest route or course of action is legal; not always achievable in urban O, but still a good guiding principle.

[graeme]

Sometimes the "uncrossable" feature is a low wall or a thin hedge, and on one side is a control. It can be physically easy to punch the control from the wrong side of the feature, just sticking one's hand over or through. Is this permissible?

No.

And I agree, its bad planning, both because it tempts competitors to cheat, and because the key to finding the control quickly is in reading the control descriptions rather than reading the map.

...and now you're going to ask what happens if its touch free Emit and you punch without any part of your body crossing the obstacle...

[mikey]

...and now you're going to ask what happens if its touch free Emit and you punch without any part of your body crossing the obstacle...

If it had been touch free at #16 at Warwick it would have solved a lot of problems.