Discussion: leaving a marked route
in: Orienteering; General
Jul 30, 2007 4:38 PM
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What are the IOF rules regarding an individual leaving a marked route/spectator route during the course?
What about if a person crosses a finish chute before reaching the last control?
What about if a person crosses a finish chute before reaching the last control?
Jul 30, 2007 6:46 PM
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I do believe that if there is a marked route, you MUST follow it. THey are often there for security reasons, but I am pretty sure you are referring to the spectator leg at the COC's. THere were no obvious security reasons, but I still believe that not following it could have resulted in automatic disqualification. Same as the finish chute, if it's marked you must follow it. BUt for as long as I know, there are no rules that forbid crossing the finish chute...although it could be suicidal, like at the O'Ringen!!! But of course I am only the Queen of Useless information, and not the Queen of Knowing all the Rules!
Jul 30, 2007 11:47 PM
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Disqualification - imposed upon two or three competitors at this year's JWOC Middle Distance Finals.
A number of competitors crossed the finish chute whilst negotiating their first spectator control in the Long Distance - no penalty.
Some competitors ran parallel but not within the marked routes in the Sprints, but I don't believe these excursions were penalised.
These were all called by the commentary team.
A number of competitors crossed the finish chute whilst negotiating their first spectator control in the Long Distance - no penalty.
Some competitors ran parallel but not within the marked routes in the Sprints, but I don't believe these excursions were penalised.
These were all called by the commentary team.
Jul 31, 2007 10:25 AM
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At WOC last year some of the chutes in the sprint were marked on the map as "uncrossable fences" - which means that crossing them is illegal (no-one did). Otherwise there's no reason why you can't cross them.
Jul 31, 2007 12:33 PM
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Isn't this illegality restricted to the sprint? I know of nothing in my national rules (which are based on the IOF rules) which forbids crossing high fences, cliffs, lakes etc if you think you can. But the sprint mapping specification does contain these prohibitions.
Jul 31, 2007 2:58 PM
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AZ:
I don't think there is anything wrong with crossing a marked route, I think the question is really about what are the rules about following marked routes: a) do you have to follow them, and b) can you leave the marked route and then re-join it?
My interpretation of the rules is that you must follow the entire length of a marked route. However I am not at all sure the rules contemplate someone leaving the marked route to get a drink and then re-entering the marked route at the point point he/she left it.
From the IOF Foot O rules...
17.3 Compulsory routes, crossing points and passages shall be marked clearly on the map and on the ground. Competitors shall follow the entire length of any marked section of their course.
My interpretation of the rules is that you must follow the entire length of a marked route. However I am not at all sure the rules contemplate someone leaving the marked route to get a drink and then re-entering the marked route at the point point he/she left it.
From the IOF Foot O rules...
17.3 Compulsory routes, crossing points and passages shall be marked clearly on the map and on the ground. Competitors shall follow the entire length of any marked section of their course.
Jul 31, 2007 4:22 PM
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I have no experience with the jury part of this, but the 2007 IOF Foot Orienteering Competition Rules state:
17.2
Out-of-bounds or dangerous areas, forbidden routes, line features that shall not be crossed, etc shall be marked on the map. If necessary, they shall also be marked on the ground. Competitors shall not enter, follow or cross such areas, routes or features.
17.3
Compulsory routes, crossing points and passages shall be marked clearly on the map and on the ground. Competitors shall follow the entire length of any marked section of their course.
Furthermore, the overprinting symbols section of ISOM 2000 doesn't offer much more information.
The Sprint Map Standard ISSOM 2007 (pdf) on page 22 and 23 has some "forbidden to cross" language in Symbols 707, 709, and 714.
It appears to me that there is a basis for argument if the route is not clearly marked both on the ground and on the map. I regularly see people miss finish funnels. Isn't that de facto proof that the funnel isn't marked well enough?
On the other hand, it does seem silly to require a mandatory marked route to have not only the marked-route-dashed-line, but also out-of-bounds or other "forbidden to cross" symbols if the organizers are serious about enforcing the marked route. Even then, if competitors miss them, they could argue the routes aren't well marked.
17.2
Out-of-bounds or dangerous areas, forbidden routes, line features that shall not be crossed, etc shall be marked on the map. If necessary, they shall also be marked on the ground. Competitors shall not enter, follow or cross such areas, routes or features.
17.3
Compulsory routes, crossing points and passages shall be marked clearly on the map and on the ground. Competitors shall follow the entire length of any marked section of their course.
Furthermore, the overprinting symbols section of ISOM 2000 doesn't offer much more information.
The Sprint Map Standard ISSOM 2007 (pdf) on page 22 and 23 has some "forbidden to cross" language in Symbols 707, 709, and 714.
It appears to me that there is a basis for argument if the route is not clearly marked both on the ground and on the map. I regularly see people miss finish funnels. Isn't that de facto proof that the funnel isn't marked well enough?
On the other hand, it does seem silly to require a mandatory marked route to have not only the marked-route-dashed-line, but also out-of-bounds or other "forbidden to cross" symbols if the organizers are serious about enforcing the marked route. Even then, if competitors miss them, they could argue the routes aren't well marked.
This discussion thread is closed.