JK2004 > Results > Trail-O

Planners Comments

The planning of the course was not intended to be devious in any way, but just a test of map reading skills. The new 2004 IOF Rules state: “Control markers are placed on features in the terrain that are marked on the map and visible from the route to be followed.” I was guided by this directive and so some controls were easier than those found at previous events, both at home and abroad.

Planning has had its limitations and I expect this was one of the shortest and most twisty courses that you will ever compete on. Not being able to use bearings as a means to separate kites within a cluster, other than which side of a feature the kite is, limited sites a little but did put the onus on the competitor to map read, rather than rely heavily on the compass. Keeping contact with all the path bends made it easy to locate where the decision points were. Viewing to so many different directions meant that you needed to be aware of compass direction at many controls.

I expected the leading rankings to depend on the timed controls, but you proved me wrong and produced a clear points result.

I was surprised at the number of competitors caught by my “zero” controls as I considered that these were quite obviously sites without markers.

Before the event I wrote a detailed commentary on the course and this is available to any competitor who would like a copy. Just E-mail.

The Rookhow woodland has given me many hours of pleasure over a number of months and I hope that you too enjoyed this special place.

Beryl Blackhall – Trail-O Planner, JK2004

Organisers Comments

We were delighted with the turnout despite the fact that Trail-O took place four miles from Graythwaite. Including the 32 who did Trail-O training at the Event Centre on Friday, we had 136 entries to this branch of orienteering in JK2004. No doubt the beauty of Rookhow helped to persuade a number of people to turn up on more than one day. The broad cross section of participants – disabled and able bodied – across a range of ages and several nationalities – was good.

Rookhow has a history of orienteering. It has been used a number of times for training by the NW Junior Squad and MEROC amongst others. It was first mapped in black and white, by Harry Ashcroft and Brendan Bolland in 1991. I have used that as the basis for maps made there since – including the new one for this event, which followed the easy access path built by volunteers last year.

Trail-O was well supported by all the entrants, and also by BOF and the main organisers of the JK who backed the project – and by Robert and Lesley, the Quakers’ Wardens at Rookhow who made us very welcome over months of preparation – and by the Dickinsons who farm the field used as a car park – and by MEROC (and their friends in other clubs) who did a great job as officials and helpers for two days – including all the club juniors acting as timekeepers, first aider, messengers and so on. Our experienced Controller, Dave Gittus, was a real asset to the event especially in his guidance to Beryl and to me as we planned, mapped and organised. We appreciated too the support of Clare Evans at Ulverston Victoria High School who allowed us to put on training at the event centre.

Much voluntary effort goes into an event like this and I would like to mention Alex, the granddaughter of Margaret and John Crosby, for her enthusiasm in helping to serve the teas.

Special support was added by Sir Christian Bonington who came to open the new Rookhow Permanent Trail-O Course on Sunday afternoon and stayed to take part – and by my good friend Graeme Williams who put in all 40 permanent posts – and by Suse and John Coon of CompassSport Magazine, there to present a medal to Paul Turner of SELOC on his achievement in running round 200 permanent courses in 2 years.

I think there may be lasting effects from the JK Trail Orienteering – an increase in the number of people who have tried and enjoyed Trail-O and will do so again – a good competition for the elite competitors – a new wealth of experience within MEROC as the organising club – and maybe an increase in the use of Rookhow for orienteering.

I appreciated the opportunity which Jan and I had to work with so many interesting people in a beautiful wood. Thanks.

Alan Goodall – Trail-O Organiser, JK 2004

Controllers Comments

NOTES FROM A SMALL WOOD by Dave “Bryson” Gittus

Firstly, many thanks to Beryl for all the hard work she put in planning these two events – and to Alan – who has, as expected, organised his willing band of volunteers.

We were blessed with dry weather, and from the comments I heard, most appreciated the courses provided.

There were a couple of informal enquiries regarding controls 6 and 12 on the Saturday Elite Course. As no formal objection was put in writing, it would not be appropriate to consider voiding either of these controls.

I visited control 6 with an experienced trail orienteer and the description NORTH EAST PART OF HILL could apply to positioning a flag within 2 metres radius of the one placed by the planner. Competitors who used an accurate compass bearing to choose between flags had been warned in the pre-event information that this was not an advisable way to make a decision – given the limitations of this map.

Regarding control 12 – I agree that the boulder should probably have been shown lower down the hill. However, as there was only one distinct boulder, there could be no mistaking that this was where the flag was hung.

Trail-O should not be a competition to assess how well the area is surveyed. The Planner uses what is available. If money and time were no object, then a “true plan” of the area could be provided. However, we had advised all that the JK Trail-O was organised on the foundation of a non-photogrammetric map, primarily intended for the new Rookhow Permanent Course.

I wish to bring to the attention of competitors that it was specifically mentioned in the pre-event information NOT to go past the next decision point before punching the current one on the card. All controls should be visited and stamped in numerical order.

Dave Gittus – JK2004 Trail-O Controller

 JK2004 > Results > Trail-O