Terrain
Terrain should be
very runnable woodland, parkland and/or urban. This is especially critical in a summer
series!
Map
The ideal is a
scale of either 1:4000 or 1:5000. If a
specially drawn Sprint-O map is not available, an enlargement of an up-to-date
1:7500 or 1:10000 map is next best. Only
as a last resort should a standard 1:10k map be
used. All maps should have the course premarked.
Control descriptions.
On
the map and/or separately available. The latter
can be a master sheet for competitors to copy beforehand.
Course
A single course
should be offered. The target winning
time is 15-18 mins for a good M21/35, shorter rather
than longer.
Starts.
1
minute intervals. If time is tight, 30 second intervals are
acceptable.
Timing
Accurate timing
is of the essence in sprint-O! SI starts
and finishes should be used. If the area
is suitable, SI controls are best, card punching otherwise.
Planning considerations.
Emphasis should
be on high speed racing over a relatively short distance.
Planning should
emphasise map reading, map interpretation and route choice in environments
which may appear complex at high speed, even if relatively simple at ‘ordinary’
orienteering speeds. Finding controls
should NOT be the challenge; rather the ability to choose and complete the best
routes between them. It is likely that
courses will only be TD3-4, but the speed of the event will compensate for the
reduced technical challenge.
Good sprint
courses commonly have
- a high density of controls (5-7
controls per km is common)
- a variety of leg lengths
- plenty of changes of direction
- good variety of route choices
Andrew Kelly 2006