Discussion: Orienteering in Italy?

Can anybody help me find events or permanent courses in Italy? I've tried the Italian Orienteering Federation's web site, but I'm having a hard time figuring out the regions and if any clubs or events are actually close to where I'll be:
Rome 25-29/5
Sorrento 30/5 - 05/6
Montecatini 07/6 - 12/6
Venice 13/6 - 16/6
I'd appreciate any contacts, directions, and public transportation information for any events in or near these cities at these times.

Mike I have to agree their web site is terrible, and it's got worse since last year when I was trying to find events myself. The best way to find events in the areas you want are: under Federazione click on organi periferici, and a list of regions comes up. For Rome, try Lazio. A list of events (Gare) comes up, and there is an event on 27th May. However, clicking on this does not produce any useful information about the event, so I suggest you send an email. The email address for the Lazio region is listed on the Lazio page (pacofisolazio@libero.it). There is also a link to the region's own web site, but that didn't seem to be very helpful either.

For Sorrento, try the Campania region, for Montecatini try Toscana and Umbria, and for Venice try Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Good luck!

Pity you're not going to be there in late June and July, as there are links to a couple of interesting events on the Fiso home page (5 days of the fortresses and the highlands open)

FISO's homepage is terrible, I agree. I myself have difficulties "orientating" (haha) there even if italian is my mothertongue. Try with simmo's suggestions, should work. if you've got any language difficulties (translations etc) just post here the link and I will see what I can tell you :) regarding regions, I'm not Italian (am Swiss) and cannot help you very much...sorry..
A suggestion: If you intend to go back to italy in November, don't loose the Meeting internazionale di Venezia...it's a really good street-o with a lots of participants, in a wonderful city. Went there 5 times and still find it unique! I think it is the biggest 1 day o-event in Italy.

FISO page is not so terrible. I like it as it have a lot of info and have quite good structure. For events Y must just click on GARE and you will get whole calendar of 2007. I have printing calendar and It is the same with e-calendar.Each event also include club/organizer page or regional federation. In most cases the organizers pages are worse (design and layout) than FISO page so it is hard to find all important information about the race. But I always find it somehow. You must have a petience.
http://www.fiso.it/03_gare/

I can't help shuddder everytime I hear "Italian" and "organizer" in the same sentence:-) The Good Life it would seem has no room for such things

I've orienteered a couple of times at local events in Italy. I enjoyed both times and was helped tremendously by getting connected via email with one of the locals. I'd recommend sending a bunch of emails asking for help and hoping that you get connected with someone 'in the know'.

For sure I second LeeVice's suggestion - change your plans and go in November :-) That Venice orienteering Meeting is one of the most fun events there is. See http://www.barebones.ca/2005%2011%20Venice%20O%20M... (and note the comments about the 'organization'). Last year it was immediately following the Istanbul 5 Day, which is another of the great fun events in Europe.

Mike, you should come to Slovenia on the 17th of June. It's a few hours drive from Venice. ;) 30 minutes by highway from Trieste, there will be a simple event on a very nice map.

http://force.rutka.net/gadget/cgi-bin/reitti.cgi?a...

I must say I have very good experience with Italian organizers. But every country has its north and its south. ;)

Regards,
Klemen

Mike, 4-9 June in Tuscany (about 100 km south from Bologna) will be MTB-EOC. They have open classes. http://www.ecmtbo2007.org/

Mike,

Rome - 25 - 29.05.2007

27.05.07 Regional Event at Campo della Pietra, Vallepietra, near Rome. Web Page:

http://www.fiso.it/03_gare/gara.asp?anno=2007&gara...

For permanent courses or maps, please contact:

A.S.D. POLISPORTIVA G. CASTELLO
email orienta@gcastello.org
web http://www.gcastello.org/orienta
telefono 065430793
fax 0691280123
C/O ROBERTO MORETTI
VIA B. CROCE, 49
ROMA
cap 00142
provincia Roma

No races in the Sorrento or Montecatini area. Orienteering is more popular in Northern Italy.

Venice, 13 - 16.06.2007.

Please contact by e-mail:

A.S.D. EREBUS ORIENTAMENTO VICENZA
email info@erebusvicenza.it
web http://www.erebusvicenza.it/
telefono 0444567877
fax 0444868423
indirizzo C/O DONATELLO RENZO
VIA ALESSANDRO ROSSI, 133
VICENZA
cap 36100
provincia Vicenza

This organization has in Asiago (WMOC 2004) 7 maps with permanent controls. They would be more than happy to help you. They arranged training camps for the Danish National team and Swedish Youth team last year. The area is fantastic and it is only 1.30 hours driving from Venice.

http://www.erebusvicenza.it/index.asp?fm=2&pg=15&i...

If you need any further help, please contact me as I live in Italy.

Ciao, anfr

Thanks for all the help! Since I'm travelling with an organized group, I won't be able to make big adjustments to the schedule, but I'm hoping there will be an event on one of my free days that is close enough to attend. The event near Rome on 27 May sounds like a good possibility.