IOF World Ranking Event 11.5.2024, Sprint, Espoo, Finland
Bulletin 2
Finnish Championships in sprint orienteering will be organized by Espoon Suunta on 11.5.2024 in Espoo. M21 and W21 classes will be WRE competitions. Qualification will be held in the morning and finals will be run in the afternoon.
Event organizer
Espoon Suunta
Event Office
Competition info works as the Event Office on the competition day and is located in the competition center. It will open at 7.30. Any other queries before competition day have to be sent in via email (anu.saarinen@espoonsuunta.fi) or if a meeting is required, this can be agreed separately.
Main officials
Event director: Virpi Palmen
Course setters: Kari-Pekka Seppänen, Lari Pernu, Alvar Palmen, Miika Vehmas
Result service: Pietari Hyvärinen
WRE contact person: Lari Pernu, lari.pernu@gmail.com, +358 504366803
Technical Adviser (SSL) and IOF Event Adviser: Johan Uusimäki
Course controller: Petja Ylikylä (Angelniemen Ankkuri)
Jury: Jukka Westerlund, Maritta Nurmi, Atte Lahtinen
Event website
https://espoonsuunta.fi/sm-sprintti-2024/
https://eventor.orienteering.org/Events/Show/8029
Parking and Venue
Signposting to the parking area will start from the crossing of Koivu-Mankkaantie and Kalevalantie (60°10’53.8″N 24°46’46.5″E)
Google Maps link
Parking is arranged by the organizer and instructions to the parking areas are announced in the event web page before the competition. See map
Route to the Arena will be signposted from the parking area with black-yellow stripes. Walking distance to the competition center from the parking area is 1400-2100 m and directions will be in place at 6AM. See map
It is mandatory to follow the marked route from parking to the Arena. Approaching the venue from other directions will lead to disqualification.
Route to quarantine from the Arena (300m) will be marked from the competition center with ”Kisakallio” stripes.
No transport is offered by the organizers. It is possible to enter the competition area by public transport. More information on competition webpages.
General map of the region and Embargoed area
The embargoed area is indicated on the map below. More information in ‘Karttarekisteri’ under ‘Harjoituskiellot’ (embargoed areas).
Please remember that the embargoed area is forbidden also during the race! Competitors are not allowed to enter the competition terrain before the competition has officially ended (complaint time has closed and all open complaints are resolved). Any violation to this will lead to disqualification from the competition.
It is forbidden to enter the competition terrain until the finish has closed. Back to the parking area during the race (or between qualification and final), there will be a detour that must be followed.
Terrain
The competition terrain can be seen in SSL’s map register. The terrain area is exceptionally versatile from the point of view of sprint orienteering and contains reasonable height differences. Due to the versatility of the terrain, the running surface can be hard-surfaced as well as lawns, barerock areas and, to a small extent, also forest areas in the middle of urban areas. See old maps of the area.
Prohibited areas and crossings
In the example picture above we have highlighted cases that may be encountered in the race. Prohibited objects that are unclear are reinforced with red-white tape. Prohibited areas and objects are being monitored, failing to follow markings leads to disqualification. There are crossing points in all classes. The roads can only be crossed in marked places, between the traffic cones. The traffic controllers monitor the competitors’ road crossings and direct the cars if necessary. Compliance with the rules is important for fair competition, safety and respect for local residents.
There are two-level areas in the race. The description style of two-level areas in more detail here, for example – IOF-Guidelines for complex urban structures.
Map
Scale: 1:4 000. Contour interval: 2m, printing 5/2024. Map is made by Alvar Palmen. The competition maps are in plastic cases. Map size is A4 or A3.
Model Event
There are two official trainings and a model event organized by Espoon Suunta. More information can be found from the competition website https://espoonsuunta.fi/sm-sprintti-2024/harjoittelumahdollisuudet/
Everyone who wants to participate in the training event must notice the embargoed area when arriving at the training.
Anyone seen in the embargoed area during the days leading to the competition (this will be monitored) will be disqualified.
Event information
Competition rules
The rules of the International Orienteering Federation and Finnish Orienteering Federation will be applied in the competition. The rules of the Finnish Orienteering Federation are available on the website https://www.suunnistusliitto.fi/kilpailu/saannot-ja-ohjeet/lajisaannot/ (only in Finnish). For the rules of IOF, see: Competition Rules | International Orienteering Federation
Spiked shoes and shoes with studs are forbidden in the competition.
Competitors shall not use or carry telecommunication (voice or text) equipment between entering the quarantine area and reaching the finish in a race. GPS-enabled devices (watches etc.) can be carried provided that:
• they have no map display
• they have no telecommunication ability
• they are not used for navigation purposes.
However, the organizer has the right to specifically forbid the use of such equipment. The organizer may require competitors to carry a tracking device and/or a GPS data logger.
Classes and winning times
Classes M21 and W21 have WRE status. All classes will have a qualification race in the morning. In M21 and W21 50 best runners will make it to the A-final. Disqualified and non-starters are placed to the last B-final.
Sprint distance in WRE classes. Estimated winning times 10-12 min in Qualification race and 12-15 min in the finals. Finish closes in the Qualification race at 11.30 and in the finals at 17.30.
Entries and Start lists
Due to the number of entries (M21 163 entries and W21 123 entries), M21 is divided into four qualifying groups (M21K1-M21K4) and W21 into three qualifying groups (W21K1-W21K3). Starting interval is 1 minute. In M21 the 13 fastest from each group qualify for the A-final (if 2 or more competitors tie on the 13th position they all make it to the A-final). In W21 the 17 fastest from each group qualify for the A-final (if 2 or more competitors tie on the 17th position they all make it to the A-final). Rest of the competitors are divided in 3 (men) and 2 (women) groups for the B-final.
Start lists to the qualification will be published on the event website on 9.5.2024 at the latest.
(https://espoonsuunta.fi/sm-sprintti-2024/)
Punching system
The electronic punching system Emit will be used. Rental Emit cards are available from the event organizer, fee 5 €. Need for Emit card rental must be issued with the entry. If the rental Emit card is not returned after the competition, there will be a charge of 100 €.
Emit card check
You can test your card in the competition center with the model control. Competitor is responsible for making sure that their card works and that they have informed the right emit number for the organizers. Card numbers are not checked before start. If the competitor uses a different emit card than the one in the start list, the competitor will be disqualified.
Justified reasons to change the emit card (for example broken emits) are permitted and should be made by sending an email in advance to risto.kivinen@resulfellows.com by Friday 10.5.2024 16.00. All changes after this should be made in competition info and will lead to a charge of 5€.
Back-up patches are available in the pre-start and start areas.
Allowed emit cards
SSL rules permit only use of untampered emit cards. A tampered card will lead to disqualification. This includes cards with a changed battery!
Rental emit cards
Entries without an emit card will have an emit card reserved by the organizers. Rental cards can be picked up from info. Rental price 5€. Competitors who don’t return the rental emit card are charged a 100€ fee.
Event program
| Event | Time | Notes | Distance to quarantine |
| Qualification first start | 9.00 | Quarantine closes 9.00 | 300 m |
| Final first start | 13.00 | Quarantine closes 13.00 | 300 m |
| First start M21 | 16.05 | Prize giving around 17.30 | 300 m |
| First start W21 | 15.15 | Prize giving around 17.30 | 300 m |
Quarantine zone will be the same in both starts. Indoor area and toilets will be accessible. Equipment transport is provided by the organizers. Please reserve your own bags for the transport.
Qualifiying competition, 11.5.2024 Morning
| Class / Group | Course length | Controls | Climb |
| Men | |||
| M21K1 | 3,0 km | 20 | 30 m |
| M21K2 | 2,9 km | 20 | 30 m |
| M21K3 | 2,9 km | 20 | 30 m |
| M21K4 | 3,0 km | 20 | 30 m |
| Women | |||
| W21K1 | 2,5 km | 20 | 25 m |
| W21K2 | 2,5 km | 19 | 25 m |
| W21K3 | 2,5 km | 19 | 25 m |
No refreshment controls available.
Start procedure, qualification race
Start 1 will be used in classes M/W21 in the qualification race . Route to quarantine (300m) is marked with “Kisakallio” stripes. There is also a pre-start at the quarantine area. Competitors will go forward from there to the start 20 min before start.
Follow the route marked with purple “Espoo Liikkuu” -stripes to the start (1,1 km). It is not allowed to part from the marked route.
Bib numbers are to be found in the quarantine area. Own safety pins are required for bib numbers! Emit backup patches are found in the pre-start and start.
NOTE! In the quarantine area, it is not permitted to use any telephone or other technical aids that could be used to follow the competition and/or keep in touch outside the area. Supporters or coaches etc are also not allowed in the quarantine area. Looking at maps of the area, including old ones, is prohibited at the quarantine area.
20min before start: leave from pre-start to start (1100m)
4 min before start: start call-in
3 min before start: emit clear
2 min before start: control descriptions, no attachment supplies are provided
1 min before start: to the maps
Final competition, 11.5.2024 afternoon
The start lists for the final can be found on the competition pages as soon as the qualification results are official. Starting interval in the finals is 1 minute.
| Class /Group | Course Length | Controls | Climb | Control Description size | Notes |
| M21 | 3,9 km | 24 | 45 m | maximum 180x50mm. | Map turnover |
| M21B1 | 3,6 km | 23 | 45 m | maximum 180x50mm. | |
| M21B2 | 3,3 km | 18 | 45 m | maximum 180x50mm. | |
| M21B3 | 3,3 km | 21 | 55 m | maximum 180x50mm. | |
| W21 | 3,4 km | 20 | 45 m | maximum 180x50mm. | Map turnover |
| W21B1 | 3,0 km | 17 | 40 m | maximum 180x50mm. | |
| W21B2 | 3,0 km | 15 | 40 m | maximum 180x50mm. |
No refreshment controls available.
Map turnover on classes M21 and W21
There is a map turnover in classes M21 and W21.
The map turnover is marked on control description as follows
After the turnover the new starting point is marked on the map as follows
Start procedure, final race
M21 and W21 classes follow a different route to start than B-finalists. A-finalists must be in the quarantine area by 13.00 (also W21 and M21 classes). Follow the same Kisakallio -stripes to the quarantine. There is no quarantine for B-finalists.
There is also a pre-start at the quarantine area. Competitors will go forward from there to the start 15 min before start. Start 3 will be used in M21 and W21 A-final.
Follow the route marked with purple “Espoo Liikkuu” -stripes to the start (600m). It is not allowed to part from the marked route.
B-finalists (including W/M21B) don´t have a quarantine or a pre-start. All B-finalists use start 4. B-finalists have 300m from the competition center to the start and the route is marked with blue stripes.
M21 and W21 A-finalists will use number vests and a GPS tracking device in the final race. The gps -vest is provided in the quarantine and the GPS device in the start, 4 min before start.
B-finalists will use qualification race bib numbers in the final race.
Emit backup patches are to be found in the pre-start and start areas.
NOTE! In the quarantine area, it is not permitted to use any telephone or other technical aids that could be used to follow the competition and/or keep in touch outside the area. Supporters or coaches etc are also not allowed in the quarantine area. Looking at maps of the area, including old ones, is prohibited at the quarantine area.
15 min before start: leave from quarantine to start (600m)
4 min before start: start call-in, GPS inserted to vest (M/W21)
3 min before start: emit clear
2 min before start: control descriptions, no attachment supplies are provided
1 min before start: to the maps
Finish
There’s a marked route from the last control to the finish. Competitor’s result is determined by their punch at the finish line. Also not-finishing competitors must register at the finish area.
Complaints
Complaints must be submitted within 15 minutes after the full results have been published. Complaints can be submitted at the finish area.
Prizes
Finnish Championship medals and product prizes are given in M21 and W21 classes for the best three runners eligible to participate in Finnish Championship races. Positions 4-10 are given Finnish Championship medals. Three best runners (overall) of the WRE race in M21 and W21 classes are given product prizes.
Showering
There is a possibility to shower and change clothes indoors in the event center.
Food and beverages
There is a restaurant and take-away café offering coffee, sandwiches, lunch, and beverages in the event center. There are also other restaurants within walking distance from the event center, please follow Green Espoo Liikkuu -stripes and the organizer’s instructions when going to shops or restaurants.
Final event instructions and start times
There will be more information on the organizer`s web page: https://espoonsuunta.fi/sm-sprintti-2024/
