How to take part in open classes orienteering
You are warmly welcomed to join the WOC Tour Orienteering Week, whether you are a beginner or an experienced orienteer. Below you can find all the relevant information required for WOC Tour open classes orienteering.
Please note that in this information pack we will be using the term “open classes” but sometimes the term “recreational orienteering” may be used. These two terms, recreational orienteering and open classes, are synonymous.
Where and when?
There will be five open classes orienteering events during the World Orienteering Championships week in four different arenas:
Mon 7th July afternoon: Kirkonmäentie 3, Nilsiä (Kankainen sports field)
Tue 8th July afternoon and Wed 9th July morning: Tahkolaaksontie 30, Tahko (Tahko holiday village)
Fri 11th July morning: Raiviopolku, Kuopio (Neulamäki sports field)
Sat 12th July morning: Suurmäentie 85, Kuopio (Puijo ski stadium)
The specific addresses and coordinates of arenas can be found in the race invitation (and on the Fin5 website: top menu For competitors -> Race invitation).
How much does it cost?
You can register to take part in an open class orienteering trail in advance or on site. If you choose to register online, you can sign up for the entire event, or sign up for individual event days. However, if you decide that you wish to register on the day, you can only register for individual days in person. Registration prices increase as the start of the event approaches, so being an early bird and booking as soon as possible can save you money. Please find the detailed prices and registration times on the event website, and in the race invitation.
The price includes:
- high quality orienteering courses, consisting of varied terrain
- high quality maps – made by top Finnish mapmakers!
- easy to use and detailed online results service
- access to the World Championships arenas, by showing your numbered badge
- a chance to win raffle prizes
- a wide range of hospitality services in the competition arenas
- for family RR (string course) participants, the price includes the rental of one EMIT card
Is there a suitable orienteering route for me?
It’s up to you to choose which open classes orienteering trail you wish to take part in, as there are plenty of options of varying difficulties. The letter (A to C) in the name of each course indicates the level of difficulty: courses denoted with “A” being the most challenging, ranging to “C” courses being the least challenging. After the letter in each course name, an indication of the length of the course is given.
On Monday the 7th of July, there will only be a sprint race; this means the courses will be slightly shorter in length, and the trail will comprise mostly of a built-up urban environment. All course difficulties will be available for this sprint race (i.e. A, B and C courses).
On the other days of the event (Tuesday the 8th to Saturday the 12th), there will be forest trails to choose from:
- A-long, A-middle, and A-short
- B-long, B-middle, and B- short
- C-long and C- short
Additionally, we are proud to host a family-friendly string course (denoted with RR, for the Finnish word “rastireitti”, i.e. string course) available on every day of the event. This course is ideal to experience orienteering with your family, and is an ideal way to introduce the joys of orienteering to your children without needing to jump in the deep end! As mentioned, RR stands for “rastireitti”, which translates to “string course”; this route is continuously marked by string lines, providing for an enjoyable orienteering experience for the whole family.
