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Table of Contents
IOF Rules
1. Definitions
1.1. Orienteering is a sport in which the competitors navigate independently through the terrain. Competitors must visit a number of control points marked on the ground in the shortest possible time aided only by map and compass. The course, defined by the location of the controls, is not revealed to competitors until they start.
1.2. In individual interval start races the competitors navigate and run through tthe terrain independently.
1.3 In mass start and chasing start races, competitors may often be running in close proximity to each other, but the formats still demand independent navigation.
1.4 The term competitor means an individual of either sex or a team, as appropriate.
1.5 Types of orienteering competition may be distinguished by:
- the time of the competition:
- day (in daylight)
- night (in the dark)
- the nature of the competition:
- individual (the individual performs independently)
- relay (two or more team members run consecutive individual races)
- team (two or more individuals collaborate)
- the way of determining the competition result:
- single-race competition (the result of one single race is the final result. The competitors may compete in different races: the A-race, the B-race and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-race placed after the placed competitors of the A-race and so on)
- multi-race competition (the combined results of two or more races, held during one day or several days, form the final result)
- qualification race competition (the competitors qualify for a final race through one or more qualification races in which they may be allocated to different heats. The results of the qualification races may also determine the starting order in the final. The competition’s result is that of the final only. There may be A- and B-finals and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-final placed after the placed competitors of the A-final and so on. Where there is a single heat and all competitors who are placed in the heat qualify for the final, the qualification race is called a prologue)
- knock-out sprint (There are one or more heats with an interval start to qualify for the knock-out section. In the knock-out section there are one or more rounds with several parallel heats and mass starts where the leading competitors qualify for the next round. Finally, there is a single mass start race to determine the winner.)
- the order in which controls are to be visited:
- in a specific order (the sequence is prescribed)
- in no specific order (the competitor is free to choose the order)
- the length (or format) of the race:
- Long distance
- Middle distance
- Sprint
- other distances
- the starting method for the race:
- an interval start (the race is a time trial; the competitor with the fastest time is the winner)
- a mass start (the competitors start together; the first across the finish line is the winner)
- a chasing start (the competitors start at intervals depending on results from previous race(s); the first across the finish line is the winner)
1.6 The term Federation means a member Federation of the IOF.
1.7 The term event embraces all aspects of an orienteering meeting including organisational matters such as start draws, team officials’ meetings and ceremonies. An event, e.g. a World Championships, may include more than one competition.
1.8 The World Games (TWG) Orienteering Event is the official event to award the titles of World Games Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.
The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.
1.9 The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.
1.10 The World Cup in Orienteering (WCup) is the official series of events to find the world’s best orienteers, based on several formats, over a season. The different events are organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federations of the organisers.
2. General provisions
2.1. These rules, together with the Appendices, are binding at the World Games, the World Orienteering Championships, the World Cup in Orienteering, the Junior World Orienteering Championships, the World Masters Orienteering Championships for W21 and M21 elite classes at Regional Orienteering Championships, Regional Junior Orienteering Championships, Regional Youth Orienteering Championships and for W21 and M21 elite classes at IOF World Ranking Events. Every rules point with no event abbreviation before its number is valid for all these events. A rules point valid only for one or more of these events is marked with the specific abbreviation(s) in the margin beside the rules point number. Such specific rules take precedence over any general rules with which they conflict.
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