RULES
FOR
BALKAN ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS
1.
DEFINITION1.1. Balkan Orienteering Championships is an official orienteering competition, individual (classic and short distance) and relays, open for all countries, and organized annually by rotating principle between Balkan Peninsula countries and goal to award the titles of “Balkan Champions in Orienteering”.
2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1. Balkan Orienteering Championships (BOC) must be organized during the period 15 August – 15 September
2.2. Each BOC host country is obliged to:
2.2.1. To provide maximum good conditions for orienteering competitions according these Rules and the Rules of IOF for foot orienteering events and they are valid for every competitors, team officials and etc connected to competitors or event organization.
2.2.2. To organize conjunction event opened for every competitors out of national teams which will start minimum 15 minutes after last started national competitor in each group
2.3. Sporting fairness shall be the guiding principle in the interpretation of these rules by competitors, organizers and the jury.
2.4. The English text of these rules shall be taken as decisive in any dispute arising from the translation into any other language.
3. PROGRAMME OF THE EVENT
3.1. The dates and the programme of the event shall be proposed by the host country 12 months before the competition and must be ratify on the previously BOC.
3.2. The programme shall be no longer than 4 days
First day - model event
Second day - classic distance
Third day - short distance
Fourth day - relays
4. ORGANIZING THE BOC
4.1. Balkan Orienteering Championships will be organized by rotating principle and will be held as follows:
1998 - Romania
1999 - Yugoslavia
2000 - Bulgaria
2001 - Macedinia
2002 - Moldavia
4.2. The host country shall be defined for three years period.
5. CLASSES
5.1. For individual starts the classes are: M and W- 16, 18, 20, 21.
5.2. For the relays the classes are M and W - 16, 18, 20, 21. The team consists of 3 competitors
6. PARTICIPATION
6.1. Participants in BOC can be represents from both Balkan and Non-Balkan Peninsula countries with three members’ teams for individual competitions and one relay team in each group.
6.2. Competitors who are representing a Federation shall have full passport-holding citizenship of the country of that Federation.
6.3. Each participating federation shall appoint a team manager to act as a contact person between the team and the organizer. It is the team manager’s duty to see that the team receives all necessary information
6.4. Competitors participate at they own risk. Insurance against accidents shall be responsibility of themselves or they Federation, according to national regulations.
6.5. If any Federation can not to complete full relay teams it may consist non full or mixed teams with competitors from other Federations. In any occasions not entered competitors can not compete.
7. COSTS
7.1. The cost of organizing the BOC are responsibility of the organizer. To cover the costs of competition, the organizer may charge an entry fee. This fee shall be kept as low as possible and shall be approved 12 months before at last BOC.
7.2. BOC organizer is obliged to propose acceptable and real costs of accommodation, food and internal transport for participants.
7.3. Each federation is responsible to pay the entry fee according invitation (Bulletin).
7.4. Each federation is responsible for defraying the expenses of travel to the event center, accommodation, food and the transport between accommodation, event center and competition sites. If the use of official transport to the competition sites is mandatory, the entry fee shall include these costs.
7.5. The traveling costs and accommodation, food and transport expenses of IOF controller shall be paid by the organizer.
8. INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT
8.1. All information and ceremonies shall be at least in English. Official information shall be given in writing. It may be given orally only in urgent cases and in response to questions at team officials’ meetings.
8.2. Information from the organizer shall be given in the form of bulletins 1 and 2. Bulletin 1 shall be given at least 12 months before the competition and Bulletin 2 shall be given at arrival of the competitors
8.3. Bulletin 1 (Invitation) shall include following information:
8.4. Bulletin 2 shall include the final details of the event:
- Team officials’ meeting, dates.
9. ENTRIES
9.1. Entries shall be submitted according to the instructions given in Bulletin 1. At least following details shall be supplied for each competitor and team official: first and family name, sex, year of birth, federation.
9.2. No competitor may be replaced within one hour of the first start. In relays this is also applies to the running order of the team members.
9.3. Competitors may only be selected and entered by their federations
9.4. For individual competitions each federation shall allocate its competitors in 3 starting groups – by one competitor in each group. If a federation fails to allocate its competitors to starting groups, the organizer shall decide the allocation.
10. TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
10.1. Each federation is responsible to organize its own travel
10.2. On request, the organizer shall arrange transport from the nearest railway station or airport to the event center or accommodation for charge.
10.3. The transport between accommodation, event center, competition sites, etc may either be arranged by the organizer or by the teams. On request, the organizer shall arrange all necessary transport during the event.
11. TRAINING AND MODEL EVENT
11.1. Training opportunities shall be offered before competition, if requested
11.2.On the day prior the first competition of an event, organizer shall put on a model event to demonstrate the terrain type, map quality, control features and the set-up of the controls, refreshment point and marked routes
11.3.
Competitors, team officials, IOF officials and media representatives shall be offered the opportunity to participate in the model event.
12.
STARTING ORDER12.1. IOF controller and at least one jury member shall approve the starting order. The Jury is consisting by represents of all federations. The start draw is recommended to be public. It may be made by hand or by a computer.
12.2. The names of all competitors and teams correctly entered shall be drawn, even if a competitor has not arrived.
12.3. For individual competitions, the suitable start interval is 3 minutes.
12.4.
For an interval start, competitors from the same Federation may not start consecutively. If they are drawn to start consecutively, the next competitor shall be inserted between them. If this happens at the end of the draw or at the end of a starting group, the competitor before them shall be inserted between them.12.5. Incomplete relay teams and teams with runners from more than one Federation shall start at least 15 minutes after the official relay start.
13.
TEAM OFFICIALS’ MEETING13.1.
The organizer shall hold a team officials’ meeting on the day prior to the competition. This meeting shall start no later than 19.00 hours. The IOF Controller shall supervise the meeting.13.2.
The competition material (Bulletin 2, start number bibs, control cards, start lists, control descriptions, transport schedule, latest information, etc) shall be handed out before the meeting starts. Team officials shall have the opportunity to ask questions during the meeting.
14. TERRAIN AND MAPS
14.1.
The terrain shall be suitable for setting competitive orienteering courses.14.2.
The competition terrain shall not have been used for orienteering for as long as possible prior to the competition, so that no competitor has an unfair advantage.14.3.
Any rights of nature conservation, forestry, hunting, etc in the area shall be respected.14.4.
Maps, course markings and additional overprinting shall be drawn and printed according to the IOF International Specification for Orienteering Maps.
15.
COURSES15.1.
The IOF Principles for Course Planning shall be followed.15.2.
The standard of the courses shall be worthy of an international orienteering event. The navigational skill, concentration and running ability of the competitors shall be tested. All courses shall call upon a range of different orienteering techniques. Courses for short distance shall require, in particular, a high level of concentration throughout the course, detailed map reading and frequent decision making. Courses for classic distance shall require route choice.15.3.
The course lengths shall be given as the length of the straight line from the start via the controls to the finish deviating for, and only for, physically impassable obstructions (high fences, lakes, impassable cliffs etc.), prohibited areas and marked routes.15.4.
The total climb shall be given as the climb in meters along the shortest sensible route.15.5. The total climb shall be not more than 4% of shortest sensible route of the course.
15.6.
In relay competitions, the controls shall be combined differently for the teams, but all teams shall run the same overall course.15.7.
The courses shall be set to give the following winning times in minutes:15.7.1.
Classic distance:W - 21 - 60 - 70 min М - 21 - 80 - 90 min
W - 20 - 50 - 55 min М - 20 - 65 - 70 min
W - 18 - 45 - 50 min М - 18 - 55 - 60 min
W - 16 - 40 - 45
min М - 16 - 45 - 50 min15.7.2.
Short distance: for all classes - 25 min. 15.7.3. Relay:For one Leg Sum of fastest times for all legs
W - 21 - 30 - 45 115
W - 20 - 30 - 40 105
W - 18 - 30 - 35 100
W - 16 - 25 - 30 85
М - 21 - 45 - 60 160
М - 20 - 40 - 50 135
М - 18 - 35 - 40 115
М - 16 - 30 - 35 100
16.
RESTRICTED AREAS AND ROUTES16.1.
Rules set by the organizing Federation to protect the environment and all persons connected with the event shall strictly observe any related instructions from the organizer.16.2.
Out-of-bounds or dangerous areas, forbidden routes, line features that shall not be crossed, etc shall be described in the information and marked on the map. If necessary, they shall also be marked on the ground. Competitors may not enter, follow or cross such areas, routes or features.16.3.
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.
17.
CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS17.1.
It shall be in the form of symbols and in accordance with the IOF Control Descriptions.17.2.
The control descriptions, given in the right order for each competitor’s course, shall be fixed to or printed on the front side of the competition map.17.3.
The following shall be handed out before the team officials’ meeting:- for individual competitions, complete control descriptions for each course provided that they do not disclose information about courses that should remain secret
- for relays, a list of all control descriptions used, not indicating the sequence of controls within each course
18.
CONTROL SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT18.1.
The control point given on the map shall be clearly marked on the ground and be equipped to enable the competitors to prove their passage.18.2.
Each control shall be marked by a control flag consisting of three squares, about 30 cm x 30 cm, arranged in a triangular form. Each square shall be divided diagonally, one half being white and the other orange (PMS 165).18.3.
Each control shall be identified with a code number, which shall be fixed to the control so that a competitor using the marking device can clearly read the code. Numbers less than 31 and numbers easily confused (eg. 66, 68, 86, 89, 98, 99) may not be used. The figures shall be black on white, between 5 and 10 cm in height and have a line thickness of 5 to 10 mm.18.4.
If the estimated winning time is more than 45 minutes, refreshments shall be available at least every 25 minutes at the estimated speed of the winner. At least pure water of suitable temperature shall be offered as refreshment.
19.
CONTROL CARDS19.1.
Only IOF approved control cards may be used,19.2.
The control cards shall be handed out before the team officials’ meeting
19.3.
Competitors shall be responsible for punching their own card at each control using the punching device provided. Competitors are responsible for correct punching, even if at some controls the punching is made by the organizer.19.4.
The control card must clearly show that all controls have been visited19.5.
A competitor with a control punch missing or unidentifiable shall not be placed unless it can be established with certainty that the punch missing or unidentifiable is not the competitor’s fault and that the competitor visited the control.
20.
EQUIPMENT20.1.As long as the rules of the organizing Federation do not specify otherwise, the choice of clothing and footwear shall be free.
21.START
21.1.
All competitors shall have at least 45 minutes for undisturbed preparation and warm-up at the start area. Only competitors who have not started and team officials shall be allowed into the warm-up area.21.2.
The start may be organized with a pre-start before the time start, situated at one edge of the warm-up area. If there is a pre-start, a clock showing the competition time to team officials and competitors shall be displayed there, and the competitors’ names shall be called or displayed.21.3.
At the start, a clock showing the competition time to the competitors shall be displayed. If there is no pre-start, competitors’ names shall be called or displayed.21.4.
The start shall be organized so that later competitors and other persons cannot see the map, courses, route choices or the direction to the first control. If necessary, there shall be a marked route from the time start to the point where orienteering begins.21.5.
The point where orienteering begins shall be shown on the map with the start triangle and, if it is not at the time start, marked in the terrain by a control flag but no marking device.21.6.
Competitors who are late for their start time through their own fault shall be permitted to start. The organizer will determine at which time they may start, considering the possible influence on other competitors. They shall be timed as if they had started at their original start time. Competitors who are late for their start time through the fault of the organizer shall be given a new start time.21.7.
The changeover between the members of each relay team takes place by touch. The changeover may be organized so that the incoming team member collects the map of the outgoing team member and hands it over as the changeover touch.21.8.
In the changeover area, outgoing team members shall have some advance warning of the arrival of their preceding team members.
22.
FINISH AND TIME-KEEPING22.1.The competition ends for a competitor when crossing the finishing line.
22.2.
The run-in to the finish shall be bounded by tape or by rope. The last 20 meters shall be straight. The finish line shall be at least 3 m wide and shall be at right angles to the direction of the run-in. The exact position of the finish line shall be obvious to approaching competitors.22.3.
When a competitor has crossed the finish line, the competitor shall hand in the control card including any plastic bag and, if so required by the organizer, the competition map.22.4. The finishing time shall be measured when the competitor’s chest crosses the finish line. Times shall be rounded down to whole seconds. Times shall be given in hours, minutes and seconds or in minutes and seconds only.
22.5.
Two independent timekeeping systems, a primary and a secondary, shall be used continuously throughout the competition.22.6.
The organizer shall fix maximum running times for each class. The maximum running times shall be as follows:22.6.1. For short distance - 70 minutes for every classes
22.6.2. For classic distance
М - 20 и М - 21 - 4 hours
М - 18, М - 16, W - 21, W - 20, W -18 и W - 16 - 3 hours
22.6.3. For relays:
for men - 7 hours
for women - 6 hours
22.7.
There shall be medical facilities and personnel at the finish, who are also equipped to work in the forest.
23.
RESULTS23.1.
Provisional results shall be announced and displayed in the finish area or the assembly area during the competition.23.2.
The official results shall be published no more than 4 hours after the latest allowable finishing time of the last starter. They shall be handed out on the day of the competition to each team manager and to accredited media representatives.23.3. The official results shall include all participating competitors
. If two or more competitors having the same time shall be given the same placing in the results list. The position(s) following the tie shall remain vacant.23.4.
In relays the placing will be by the finishing of the team member running the last relay leg. The official results shall include the competitors’ names in running order and times for their legs as well as the course combinations that each ran.23.5.
In relays where there are mass starts for later legs, the sum of the individual times of the team members shall determine the placings of the teams that have taken part in such mass starts. Teams taking part in mass starts for later legs are placed after all teams, which have changed over and finished in the ordinary way.23.6.
The results of incomplete teams and teams with runners from more than one FederationJWOC are not considered in determining the placings in relay competitions and shall not appear
in the official results list.
23.7. The complex classification of the Federations is depended by sum of the points of first six places in individual competitions and relays in all classes. The allocation of the points is as follow.
|
І place |
ІІ place |
ІІІ place |
ІV place |
V place |
VІ place |
|
|
Individual competitions |
9 points |
6 points |
4 points |
3 points |
2 points |
1 point |
|
relays |
18 points |
12 points |
8 points |
6 points |
4 points |
2 points |
23.8. If two federation are with equal sum of points first must be paced the federation with more:
23.8.1. First places in individual competitions and relays in all classes (relay is considered as one competition)
If equality still exist:
23.8.2. Must pay attention of number of second places of the federation, then third places until to six places (not more)
If equality still exist:
23.8.3. First place will be defined by draw.
In all rest cases for second, third and etc. the federations will be at the same place
23.9. If in the competition take part teams out of Balkan Peninsula countries, shall be made double classification:
24.Prizes
24.1.
The organizer shall arrange a signified prize-giving ceremony for priced competitors at the finish area in the end of competition day.24.2.
For BOC shall be arranged the following prices:24.2.1. Individual competitions
First Place - Gold medal and Certificate
Second Place - Silver medal and Certificate
Third Place - Bronze medal and Certificate
4-th. to 6-th Place - Certificate
24.2.2.
In the relay, each individual member of the team shall receive the appropriate medal and/or certificate.24.2.3. First three Federations in complex classification shall be awarded with cups.
24.2.4. Shall be awarded and material awards for placed at first three places when the possibilities of organizer allow to.
24.3. For open competition the organizer shall arrange certificate for placed in first three places and when is possible – and material awards.
24.4. For conjunction competition – on organizers point of view.
24.5.
If two or more competitors have the same placing, they shall each receive the appropriate medal and/or certificate.24.6.
Prizes for men and women shall be equivalent.
25.
FAIR PLAY25.1.
All persons taking part in an orienteering event shall behave with fairness and honesty. They shall have a sporting attitude and a spirit of friendship. Competitors shall show respect for each other, for officials, journalists, spectators and the inhabitants of the competition area. The competitors shall be as quiet as possible in the terrain.25.2.
Except in the case of an accident, obtaining assistance from other runners or providing assistance to other competitors during a competition is forbidden. It is the duty of all competitors to help injured runners.25.3. Doping is forbidden
.25.4.
Any attempt to survey or train in the competition terrain is forbidden. Attempts to gain any information related to the courses, beyond that provided by the organizer, is forbidden before and during the competition.25.5.
Team officials, competitors, media representatives and spectators shall remain in the areas assigned to them.25.6.
Having crossed the finish line, a competitor may not re-enter the competition terrain without the permission of the organizer. A competitor who retires shall announce this at the finish immediately and hand in the map and control card. That competitor shall in no way influence the competition nor help other competitors.25.7.
A competitor who breaks any rule, or who benefits from the breaking of any rule, may be disqualified.
26.
COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS26.1. Event or team officials or competitors can make complaints and protests.
26.2.
The organizer adjudicates a complaint. The jury adjudicates a complaint.26.3.
There is no fee for protest or a complaint.
27. JURY
27.1.
A jury shall be appointed to rule on protests.27.2.
The jury shall consist of voting members, from all Balkan Federations. The IOF Controller shall lead the jury but has no vote.27.3. The jury is competent to rule only if all members are present.
Decisions may be taken if a majority of the jury members agree on the decision.27.4.
Decisions of the jury are final.
28.
ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP28.1.
Advertising of tobacco and hard liquor is not permitted.28.2.
The IOF Council may issue specific rules for advertising and sponsorship—see Appendix 5 of the Rules for IOF competitions.
29.
MEDIA SERVICE29.1.
The organizer shall make every effort to maximize media coverage as long as this does not jeopardize the fairness of the event.29.2.
As a minimum, the organizer shall make available to media representatives the following: