45th Military World Orienteering Championships 2012 Competitions
	June 8th - 14th 2012, Aalborg, Denmark.

General.

Competitions are arranged in accordance to CISM Regulations.

Please find specific information concerning the different competitions below.

For further information please contact the information desk.

Competitions.

All three competitions and the model event as well, will take place in Vester Torup klitplantage. It is situated about 60 km from Aalborg. By bus, less than 90 minutes of driving.

Vester Torup is mostly known for firstly it´s picturesque fishing boats, taking out directly from the beach, using a heavy wire, and secondly for its huge forest area with Bulbjerg in the west part being the highest point. Bulbjerg has a magnificent ocean view, rises about 47 meters above sea level, and holds the only bird cliff in Denmark.

During the Second World War a strategic observation point was placed at the top of the Bulbjerg-cliff overlooking the sea. Bunkers and obstacles were placed in the area around to secure the point. During the competition you will meet and cross the remains and perhaps feel the touch of history.

The Monarchy in Denmark is ruled by Queen Margrethe II.
Vester Torup has it´s own King. The forest holds one of the biggest populations of red deer in Denmark, and the Stag is by all means the King of the area. Up to 230 kg in weight. You can find his remains all over and he has his own trails too. These narrow trails are easy to find and often also easy to follow, but be aware that, they are not printed on the map and they will not necessarily lead you to the controls.

Lucky you if you get a sight of the King or his females, during your stay. They normally stay together in groups, but out of our sight. But don´t be afraid, he dosn´t like your company at all.

Terrain description.

The terrain consists of coniferous forest (pine and spruce mainly) including some open moor land typically with heather or high grass. Sand dunes are dominating throughout the area and form the main part of the contour lines. In some parts the sand dune pattern is very intensive and complex making the orienteering technically very challenging. The terrain also includes a 6.000 year old ocean hillside with height differences of up to 40 meter helping to keep your legs and breath busy.

The vegetation varies a lot offering everything from open forest parts making fairly fast running possible to very thick parts with obscuring branches where fighting skills are required. Likewise the visibility varies from open terrain with good sights to closed areas where trees and branches allow only a very short sight, where the use of compass and map reading become vital tools.

In some dense areas you will find smaller trails/paths, besides the deer trails. These trails are printed on the map as “less distinct small path”.

All together you will experience variation from fast running on tracks to physically and technically demanding legs. Stay focused and have courage on the latter.

Maps.

All maps are revised 2012 up to one week prior to CISM and conformed to IOF standard.

Scale 1.10.000, contour interval 2.5 m.

To make the map reading easier, the “index contour line” in certain areas has been replaced by a normal contour line.

Competition maps are offset printed and sealed in plastic pockets.

The map will be size A4 (29.7 x 21 cm) for the Middle distance and Relay and A3 (42 x 29.7 cm) for the long distance.

On the Long distance Men have reversible maps, with the second map on the back of the first map.

A number of special features occur – these will be described further during Team leaders meeting Saturday evening.

Timing system.

During the competitions, and the model event, the Emit punching system will be used. Feel free to ask whatever comes to your mind about the system.

The start for the Model event will be set up as for the individual competitions. There will be no real finish line at the model event. The finish printed on the map will be your ”finish control”. Split times (time between the controls as well as the total time) will be handed out close to the finish control, after completion of race.

The EMIT unit will be handed out Friday evening and you will use the same unit, identified by the number on the unit, during the entire event. This goes for trainers and team captains as well.

REMEMBER to return the Emit unit when you have finished your last race.

At the Team leaders meeting full information about handling the system will be given.

Starting order.

Nations will be given lists with printed names at the Admin desk at the Barracks.

Lists for the Middle and Long distance will be given Friday evening.
Lists for the Relay will be given Monday evening.

Team leaders, from each nation, are responsible for returning the lists, to the Admin desk, with the chosen starting order for runners in that specific nation, according to the time schedule.

Starting lists will be handed out at the Admin desk at the Barracks the evening before each competition. Saturday evening, right after the Team leaders meeting.  Sunday and Tuesday approx. 19.00 am.

Transportation to the Competition areas.

Look into the specified transportation schedule.

Bus drop off.

For Middle and Long distance it is also the Arrival area.

For the Relay the distance from bus drop off to the Competition arena will be 500 m.

Arrival area (for the Middle and Long distance).

Here you will find team tents and toilets.

From the arrival area to the Middle distance start the distance will be approx. 1.6 km.

For the Long distance the distance will be 2.1 km. The route is marked with colored tape

Warming up is allowed along the marked route to the start and on the Middle distance also on the Warm up map (without controls) which will be available at the arrival area.

In case of bad weather, the organizer will bring back (to the Finish) coveralls and other clothing brought to the start.

Before you leave for start, remember to hand over your belongings to the organizers, at the designated tent. The organizers will bring your belongings to the Finish area.

Competition Arena (Relay).

For the Relay start and finish will be at the arena. Here you will find team tents and toilets.

The Relay arena is pretty small and in the middle of the competition area, which means you have to stay inside the marked area also for warming up.

Start.

First start for individual competitions: 10.00 am for both men and women

Relay: 10.00 am for men and 10.15 am for women

Toilets will available approx. 200 m. before the start.

Starting procedure.

Individual competitions:

4 min. prior to his/her starting time the runner will be called for to enter the first starting grid.

3 min. before the start, control definitions are available (Definition holder required!) and the runner can have a look at the competition map (without controls).

2 min. before is it still possible to look at the map.

1 min. before the start the runner stands next to a table holding the competition map. 5 seconds before start the runner place the Emit unit in the starting unit. Hold the Emit unit in the starting unit until the last “bip” from the start clock sounds, then pick up the map and go following the marked route to the starting point.

The start point consists of a control flag on a stick, and is marked on the map with a triangle. The starting point shall not (and cannot) be punched.

The organizer is responsible to hand out the correct map at the start. Male runners with odd bib numbers run with the Men-1 map (marked on the map and on the control definitions). Runners with even numbers will run with the Men-2 map.

The runners will be called 10 min. prior to the first start for each class. Each runner is responsible for clearing (zero) his/her Emit unit. Clearing units will be placed next to starting area.

2 min before start the runners line up behind the maps. The maps are marked with the same number as the runners bib number.

The speaker will count down to start and the runners follow the marked route to the starting point.

During the relay it is possible to follow the runners from the arena. There are no specific prewarnings given by the organizers and the teams are responsible themselves for keeping the runners ready for start.

Before entering the Exchange zone, each runner needs to clear (zero) their Emit unit. Clearing (zero) the Emit unit must be done just prior to entering Exchange zone.

Between the last control and the finish line the incoming runner deliver the map in a box.

When the runner crosses the finish line he/she needs to punch the Emit control.

Then follow the marked route to the mapstand, take the map for the next runner and give the map to the next runner.

The last thing to do is then to go directly to the timing tent and get your Emit unit registered.

For runners who haven´t started before approx. 12.30 there will be a ”common start”. Announcement will be made in due time!

For runners on the last leg the final result is of course based on the sequence in which they cross the finish line, and not the sequence in which they punch the Emit unit behind the line.

Course length and controls.
 

The climbing is calculated on the estimated optimal route choice by the course planner.

Remember to check the control numbers. In some places the controls stands close to each other (means less than 40 m.).

There will be dispersion (butterfly loop) on both the Men´s Middle and Long distance. The principals concerning the dispersion will be explained at the Team leaders meeting.

Dispersion on the relay is the “farsta” method.

Control definitions.

Control definitions are printed on the maps and for the Middle and Long distance they are also available at the start.

Sizes of definitions are:

Middle distance: Men – 12 x 4 cm, Women – 10 x 4 cm.

Long distance: Men – 20 x 4 cm, Women – 13 x 4 cm

A list of possible control definitions will be distributed at the Team leaders meeting.

Number bibs.

Number bibs will be handed out at the Admin desk at the Barracks, the evening before each competition.

Radio and spectator controls.

On all competitions there will be the possibility to follow the competitors as they are passing the finish area via spectator controls. In addition, there will be a radio control on the long distance. There will be no taped routes when runners approach the finish arena for spectator controls. Only the route from the last control to the finish is taped and runners must follow this route.

Restricted zone for spectators.

In the finish area for all three competitions, the zone for spectators are “fenced in”, which means that no one are allowed to leave this restricted and taped zone, unless you are going to the bus.

Control guards.

Controls are guarded in the terrain by uniformed soldiers. The guards are patrolling controls in sections.