British Blodslitet Weekend 2002

Index

British Sprint Championships  |  British Blodslitet

General Competition Information

Entries
Please check your details carefully, especially your E-card numbers. If any of the information relating to your entry is incorrect then please contact Andrew and Anne Leaney, 1 Standen Park House, Quernmore Road, Lancaster, LA1 3FF. Tel: 01524 581387. Any errors will be corrected free of charge.

NB. No competitor may run using another competitor’s entry. Any changes must be agreed beforehand.

Electronic Punching
Pre-entered competitors who are hiring an E-card should report to Registration before proceeding to the Start. E-card hire will be 50p per day. If you are competing on both days, you will use the same E-card. There will be a charge of £15 for any E-cards that are not returned.

Dogs
Williamson Park is a public park so dogs are welcome but please clear up after them! Dogs must be kept on a lead in the Auction Mart car park. The British Blodslitet is staged on sheep farmland and it is the lambing season, so dogs MUST be kept on a LEAD at ALL times.

Control Sites and Punching
Flags will be either on the Sport Ident units or on canes adjacent to the Sport Ident units. Codes will be on vertical plates fixed below the Sport Ident units. It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that your E-card has registered at each control. This is indicated by a beep and flashing light. Should a control box fail to function or be missing, use the back-up pin punch to punch your map.

Taping
YELLOW, or YELLOW and BLACK, tapes denote danger - DO NOT CROSS. ALL ORIENTEERS RUN AT THEIR OWN RISK.

Finish Timing
You will be timed as you punch the Finish Sport Ident unit. From the Finish, you will be directed to the Download Station where you will be given your split times.

Retirals
For safety reasons you must report to the Finish and download your E-card, even if you fail to complete your course.

Results
Results lists will be displayed near the Download Station at both events. Full split time lists (by class) will be displayed on the SROC and BOF websites each evening.

Doping Control
The British Blodslitet Weekend events are held in accordance with the British Orienteering Federation’s rules of competition (Rules and Guidelines 1997). Under Appendix 4 (Doping Control):

Any participant using a prohibited substance or method commits a doping offence unless they have previously declared themselves to be non-competitive;

As a condition of entry, entrants in elite classes must make themselves available for drug testing if selected.

It is the responsibility of all competitors to ensure that no prohibited substance enters their body tissues or fluids; competitors are warned that they are responsible for all and any substance detected in samples given by them. Information on prohibited substances and methods is available from BOF office or the UK Sport Drug Information Line (020 7380 8030).

Official Protests
Any complaint should be submitted to the Organiser, who may be contacted via Registration. Any protest against the Organiser’s decision should be made to the Controller in writing, again via Registration.

Coaches, Caravans & Trailers
Please advise if you intend to bring a vehicle that is larger than a minibus. Note for the British Blodslitet minibuses will be able to access the car park area but coaches will need to park some distance away.

Lost Property
All lost property handed in at Williamson Park will be taken to Registration at the British Blodslitet race.

Prize Giving
Prize Giving for the official British Sprint Championships will take place between 13:45 and 14:00 in Williamson Park. Here, two new trophies kindly donated by Compass Point will be presented. The main Prize Giving will take place at the British Blodslitet at approximately 14:30 in the Assembly Area. Prizes for the Open Courses at Williamson Park will be followed by prizes for the Blodslitet race and the draw for the trip to the Norwegian Blodslitet on October 15th 2002. Remember if you are not at the Prize Giving, you will not win!

Cancellation
Check the SROC website or the NW Answerphone (Tel. 01704 892736). In the event of cancellation for any reason, SROC reserves the right to retain all or part of the entry fee received to offset expenses.

The British Sprint Championships
(UK Cup Race)
Saturday 20th April
Williamson Park, Lancaster

Acknowledgements
SROC wish to express their thanks to Lancaster City Council, Williamson Park Ltd., Lancaster Farmers’ Auction Mart Co. Ltd. and St. John Ambulance.

Travel Directions and Parking
Parking is at Lancaster Farmers’ Auction Mart (SD/488609).

From the South, leave the M6 at Junction 33. Take the A6 into Lancaster and follow brown tourist signs depicting a butterfly.

From the North, leave M6 at Junction 34. Take the A683, then the A6 through Lancaster and follow brown tourist signs depicting a butterfly.

The Auction Mart car park is near the Williamson Park car park, which should not be used by orienteers (see plan). You will be able to park in the Auction Mart from 10:00. A parking fee of £1 per vehicle will be levied.

Assembly Area
All event facilities, except toilets, are located in the Assembly Area, which is approximately 500m walk from the car park, along tarmac paths. Follow the taped route and take care at the road crossing.

There will be a taped area for competitors to leave clothing (suitably bagged) if necessary, but note that SROC accepts no responsibility for its safekeeping. There will be no orienteering traders at Williamson Park.

Note; All hard-surfaced paths are in bounds. Please stay on these and do not give any help to competitors. Everywhere else is out of bounds.

Toilets
See plan below. There are limited toilets in the Auction Mart car park. There are more toilets in Williamson Park, en route to Assembly and at the cafe.

Information Point
This is principally to provide members of the public with information about the sport. Competitors with queries should contact Registration.

Spectators
Between 12:00 and 13:45, you can watch the competitors on the Championship courses and listen to the race commentary. Spectators may use the Memorial steps in the Assembly Area which will allow good views of competitors at various stages of their course, including the start and finish, without entering the rest of the competition area. Note: club tents should not be erected.

Registration
Open from 11:00. Subject to map availability, EOD accepted for Open Courses until 13:00. Prices £5.00 Senior and £3.50 Junior. (Entries can also be made for the EOD Blodslitet courses here). E-card hire, start lists, guidance on electronic punching, copies of the old Williamson Park map and general information about the event will be available here. Competitors on Championship courses should pick up their race number, which will be hung from a nearby ‘washing line’. Queries relating to your entry can also be dealt with, but note it will not be possible to change your start time.

Safety
Lone competitors should use the buddy system to ensure their safety. Keys, appropriately labelled, can be left at Registration. St. John Ambulance will provide first aid cover near the Finish.

Terrain and Features
Mature varied parkland on the site of an old quarry, with an intricate path network and numerous steep-sided hills and depressions. The area is only 700m x 300m. It is mostly wooded, with variable tree density including some rhododendron thickets. There are also some large open areas. There is a small ornamental lake, which is fordable (knee deep) but may be slippery and weedy.

There are numerous dangerous crags. Please take great care not to attempt to descend these. Paths and steps can also be slippery and dangerous.

Clothing and Footwear
Shorts may be worn, but gaiters are advisable. Spiked shoes and road shoes are inadvisable.

Map
1:3000 with 2.5m contours. Redrawn 2001 by Brian Looker using OCAD after ground survey by Tim and Frances Watkins.

Courses
Winning times on all courses are expected to be 12 to 15 minutes.

Control Descriptions
IOF pictorial descriptions. All courses will have control descriptions on the back of the map. Descriptions will also be available in the start lane at -3. Description sheets will fit into a "standard" Silva description-sheet case.

Control Sites
Control sites should not be difficult to locate and will all be within 50m of a path. Planning emphasis has been on route choice, as far as possible. Leg lengths are very short, so speed of thought will be as important as speed over the ground. He who hesitates won't win!! However, don’t forget to check that you are at the right control and to ensure that your E-card registers by waiting for the beep/ flashing lights. Control boxes will not be interrogated in cases of mispunching.

Competitors on Championship Courses
Race numbers should be collected from Registration. Selection and seeding for these courses have been based on the UK Cup Rankings as at 31st March 2002. ‘Wild cards’ may be allocated at the Organisers’ discretion. Competitors have been grouped according to their position in these results, with the group containing the top competitors starting last. Start times within each group have been drawn at random.

Start Lists
Will be posted on the event website, at Registration, and the Start.

Start
Clear and check your E-card at the Start. Competitors will start at 1-minute intervals. Call up for all competitors is at -3 minutes when your name will be checked against the start list (EOD competitors should take their entry slip issued at Registration). Description sheets will be available here. Blank maps will be on display in the start lanes at -2. All courses will have a timed start. Start times will not be changed. Late starts will be permitted only at the discretion of the Start officials who will ensure that proper separation of competitors applies. Given the small number of courses, you may have quite a long wait if you miss your allocated start time. There will be a 50m run to collect your map. It is your responsibility to check that you have the correct one. Maps will be sealed in plastic bags.

Courses Close
45 minutes after the last start time.

Finish and Results
Make sure you punch at the Finish. Maps and race numbers will be collected from competitors on the Championships courses. Competitors on other courses will be allowed to keep their maps however they should not show them to those yet to start. Follow the tapes to download your E-card and collect your split times. Hired E-cards, not required for Blodslitet, will be collected here. Note: refreshments are not being provided at the Finish.

Map Reclaim
Maps may be reclaimed from Registration, after the last start on the Championship courses, or at Blodslitet Registration on Sunday.

Williamson Park
Williamson Park will be open to the general public as usual. Please respect their right to enjoy their afternoon out. There is a Café and a gift shop in Williamson Park (open from 10:00 to 17:00). There is no string course, but there is a permanent course (maps on sale at the Gift Shop) and children’s playground as well as the renowned Butterfly House. The normal price of an entry to the Butterfly House will be reduced for orienteers by 50p per adult and 25p per child (normal prices, £3.25 adult, £1.75 child). You are encouraged to enjoy the park facilities either before, or after your run.

NB. We trust you to respect the integrity of the competition by keeping to the paths and not using the permanent course until after your run.

Index

British Blodslitet
(World Ranking Event & UK Cup Race)
Sunday 21st April
Simpson Ground & Cartmel Fell

Acknowledgements
Forestry Commission, Mr Bentley and other landowners on Cartmel Fell, Mr Wightman and St. John Ambulance.

Directions
Parking is at SD/400853. From M6 J36 follow signs to Barrow on A591 until High Newton then follow ‘O’ signs. There will be a car parking charge of £1 per car. Please have the correct change ready. There will be no exit from the car park before 12:30pm. Please advise if you plan to bring a vehicle that is larger than a minibus.

Assembly Area
This event is like an individual relay and will provide good spectator opportunities. All event facilities will be located in the assembly area, which is approximately 500m from the car park. An area is available for club tents. Please remember to bring money for refreshments.

Toilets
These will be located near to the Start.

Registration
Open from 10:00. This is located at the entrance to the Assembly Area. Competitors should pick up their race number, which will be hung from a nearby ‘washing line’. E-card hire, guidance on electronic punching and general information about the event will be available here. Queries relating to your entry can also be dealt with.

Entries
EOD will only be available for the following courses, at the prices shown, subject to map availability:

Entry for the Short races will close at 11:15. EOD for the Score Event will continue until 12:00pm, last start at 12:30.

String Course
Regrettably, we are unable to provide a string course as originally envisaged due to the lambing season.

Traders
Compass Point and Wilfs will be located adjacent to Registration. The North West Junior Squad will be assisting with on-course refreshments and selling cakes for squad funds in the central spectator area.

Safety
Lone competitors should use the buddy system to ensure their safety. Keys, appropriately labelled, can be left at Registration. In the event of very bad weather for the British Blodslitet race, it may be compulsory to carry waterproof clothing. Notices will be displayed in the Car Park and Assembly area, if this becomes necessary. St. John Ambulance will provide first aid cover.

Terrain and Features
Simpson Ground is typical Forestry Commission working woodland covering good Lakeland contour detail. Recent forestry work has created areas of brashings and a number of vehicle tracks that are not marked on the map. There are a number of windblown trees that affect runnability but these can be avoided. The southern part of the map is rough pasture. Cartmel Fell is a mixture of blocks of woodland (deciduous & coniferous), open fell & rough pasture, all broken up by stonewalls.

Please respect the Out of Bounds areas marked on the map. Use all marked crossing points, DO NOT climb any walls, and leave all gates as found.

Map
1:10000 and 1:15000 map with 5m contours to IOF standards drawn February 2002 using OCAD. Survey by Martin Bagness.

Start
The mass start point is located in the south-west corner of the Assembly Area. Call up for each mass start will be 5 minutes before the start time when competitors will be called forward from the waiting pen and their E-cards will be checked. Maps will be laid face down on the ground with a competitor number on the reverse of the map. Competitors should line up behind the map corresponding to their competitor number. On the start whistle, competitors should pick up their maps and follow the taped route for approximately 100 metres to the start triangle.

Courses

Courses Close at 15:30.

Score Course
This has a separate start and finish from the Blodslitet courses. Follow tapes/signs 100m past the main start to a separate start/finish tent. Competitors may start at the starter’s discretion. Collect as many controls as possible within the 60-minute period. Each control is worth 10 points. Penalty of 5 points per minute late (one point per 12 seconds or part of). After finishing, Score course competitors must proceed to Results to download their E-cards.

Control Descriptions
IOF pictorial descriptions. All Blodslitet courses will have control descriptions printed on the front of the map unit. Descriptions will not be issued in advance. The Score Event uses text descriptions.

Clearing E-cards
Competitors are responsible for clearing and checking their own E-cards. The Blodslitet courses are using non-punching mass starts. To avoid any last-minute problems, competitors must clear their E-cards at least 10 minutes before their allocated start time. The clear/check station is located within the waiting pen adjacent to the Start.

On-Course Refreshments
At the end of each loop, competitors will come through the Assembly Area where there will be water, orange and light refreshments (bananas and cake). There will also be two refreshment points around the final loop.

Map Exchange
All courses, except the Men’s and Women’s Short, W50+, W18- will have a map exchange which takes place in the Assembly Area. Competitors should follow the tapes through the Assembly Area and pass the refreshment area to start the next loop. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU PICK UP YOUR CORRECT MAP. Drop your previous map as instructed, and then proceed to remove your next map from the “washing line”. Your race number will identify your map.

M20-M45 Course: Not only will this course come through the Assembly Area for an initial map exchange but will come through on a second occasion by-passing the map exchange to pass the refreshment area.

W18-, W50+, Men and Women’s Short Courses: These courses will not be coming through the Assembly Area but will incorporate a ‘butterfly’. Each course will be common up to a central control and then split so that competitors run two loops from the central control before proceeding on the rest of the course, which is common. See diagram.

Finish
Competitors compete up until the finish line. A Finish Official will determine the finishing order of competitors before punching the Finish ‘control’ a little way beyond the finish line hence the relative positions of competitors is maintained although the exact finishing time is not recorded. Please observe the Finish Official’s instructions. Follow the tapes to download your E-card and collect your split times. Hired E-cards and race numbers will be collected here.

Index

Last Updated : 09.04.02