Simplification

[EddieH]

I fail to see that allocating a start list is a huge extra workload.

If we are to have more important events it is important that the people that put them on put in appropriate effort.
I fully agree with barebones organisation for all but the very most prestigious events. However C4's should be properly controlled and therefore of a more reliable standard than C5s. For C3s to mean anything the planning team need to put in that extra effort to make it worthwhile for the copetitors. If you expect very low numbers unallocated starts are fine, but with nearly full start lists I along with many (but not all) would like a time, and not have to hang around.
Maybe pre-entries should be allocated times which they are guaranteed if they are there. Then eods and early/late competitiors can take any empty slots. But there again this probably complicates the organisation.

[HOCOLITE]

At our district events and below we have sheets for competitors to sign up for a time, so that they don't all go to the start at once but they are not tied to the time if they get there early they can run if no one else is on the minute. The signing up is voluntary but does spread them out a bit.

[johnloguk]

That's good to hear- a link to a fuller description of the barebones festival and concept is here http://www.barebones.ca/

I love the barebones concept, but where does it leave the people who want to compete in 6 month age bands, and complain that their course was 15 metres too long, or that the standard deviation of the winning times was 0.03% higher than the guidelines?

[brooner]

That's good to hear- a link to a fuller description of the barebones festival and concept is here http://www.barebones.ca/

I love the barebones concept, but where does it leave the people who want to compete in 6 month age bands, and complain that their course was 15 metres too long, or that the standard deviation of the winning times was 0.03% higher than the guidelines?

We wanted people to come to Barebones relaxed and ready to have fun. We wanted them to come with attitude – good attitude – an attitude we reinforced with the Complainers Fee. Without pre-payment of $20, complaining was not allowed. Any violators are met with scorn and derision. And surprisingly the biggest scorn comes from other competitors. Even when we the (almost) infallible organizers screw up (an annual affair) tolerance and understanding abounds.

They can pay extra for that privilege! Maybe we should introduce something similar on nope

[Wattok]

Maybe we should introduce something similar on nope

We'd make a fortune!

[IanD]

Congratulations to CHIG on getting exactly right (in my opinion) today:

A Start list has been posted on this web site, and will be available in the Assembly Field at the Enquiries Tent. You have been allocated a start time. There will be a punching start. Priority at each Start time will be given to the orienteer due to go off then. After that, anyone starting late may use a start time, then anyone wishing to start early. These variations will be subject to not starting on the same course within two minutes of someone from the same club.

[SeanC]

Why not replace a course list that sounds like a Dulux colour chart with just one course?

Why not invent a type of course that allows lots of people to start together because it is designed to reduce following?

Why not invent a type of course that doesnt disqualify competitors for mispunching or missing a few controls?

Why not invent a type of course that allows all runners of all abilities at least an hour in the forest but doesnt insist that some stay out for hours if the course is harder than anticipated?

Why not invent a type of course that allows people to finish together so they can mingle and chat, instead of getting in their cars alone?

Still dont know what I'm talking about? Take 20 points off for every minute until you get it.

Score orienteering.

But it seems strangly unpopular. Perhaps orienteers like their sport complicated

[epocian]

EPOC are trying a Score event on December 23rd instead of our usual Christmas C4
It will be interesting to see how the numbers either increase or decrease

[Ant W]

Nothing wrong with a nice score event, but remember mass starts aren't very young-family-friendly.

[IanD]

Nothing wrong with a nice score event, but remember mass starts aren't very young-family-friendly.

I remember once competing in a score event which had a choice of two mass starts, something like a 60 minute score with starts at 10:00 and 11:10, precisely to allow parents split starts.

[Jon Brooke]

The WIM boxing day canter (60 min score) always seems to attract lots of families - maybe it's the mobile Father Christmas and Christmas Fairy controls that pull them in.

[Tatty]

The Boxing Canter is always planned so that inexperienced families can find controls and have success. Yes Jon, I'm sure you're right about the attraction on Father Christmas, the fairy and the Christmas tree holding great interest. We all feel good when we find them. All 3 of my boys still try to get home and stay for this event. Some of them can easily collet all the controls, but rarely win as they don't find the 3 extras!! When they were at Uni this really used to bug them, but made them want to come back for more. A real event. Well done WIM for inventing the format. We regret the years we weren't able to go as we had to do the relaion run up north

[Adventure Racer]

The Boxing Canter is always planned so that inexperienced families can find controls and have success.

Aren't all score events planned like that, and if not, why not?