O-Ringen Magazine, nr 1 2024

» Arena GUNNARSÖ
STAGE 3 LONG DISTANCE
Thursday July 25 th 2024
The Stage 3 arena is a stone’s throw from
Oskarshamn’s largest bathing and camping
area. The easiest way to get there is by
cycling, as it’s around 5 km from Döderhultsdalen.
The arena itself is compact and is built
on hard-standing tarmac and gravel. There is a
new housing development being built nearby.
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STAGE 3
LONG DISTANCE
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The special thing about Stage 3 is the proximity to the
sea. Some controls are right next to the Baltic. The
longer courses cross over an old sea cove on a bridge.
This is coastal terrain with a lot of contour detail, where
runnable bare rock is mixed with heavier going between
the hilltops. The area nearest the finish has many paths
and is well used by the nearest residential areas.
For this stage, you have to change pace where it’s necessary and
plan your route choices. It’s important to have a secure attack
point for each control and it’s often worth running round rather
than straight. Train for this stage in detailed terrain that requires
intensive map reading.
The terrain is very varied. Nearest the arena there are many
paths and runnable hills with bare rock, and mostly good visibility.
The terrain is quite flat, with some marshes. Longer courses start
in a detailed area with flat, open hilltops and sparse pine forest,
with good runnability and visibility. Between these two areas there
is an overgrown former sea cove. In this area, a nature reserve, the
terrain changes. There is more deciduous forest and stony ground,
and somewhat reduced runnability. The longest courses will also
use some more cultivated areas, providing some route choice. The
entire competition area is crossed by a number of forest roads.
Interview with course setter Jonas Bergfors
What can competitors expect from Stage 3? What’s special?
– At Stage 3, competitors will be met by typical coastal Småland
terrain, says Jonas.
What is the most challenging aspect of this terrain?
– The terrain varies a lot, with everything from easily runnable
bare rock to more detailed and slower terrain with stony ground
and undergrowth, explains Jonas.
What’s your advice for orienteering well
here and what should competitors be practising?
– For this stage you need to think about how to change pace; take
more time in detailed areas with less visibility, says Jonas.
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